For some 15 years now, Dave Herrmeyer has been getting exercise by walking with his wife, Joyce, in the shopping mall in Waterloo, Iowa. Just about every day, the two strolled by an empty kiosk that caught Brother Herrmeyer's attention.
Members of the Cedar Falls Ward, Cedar Rapids Iowa Stake, the two noticed that the kiosk was often empty during the off-season before the holidays. He felt he could put it to good use.
Waterloo is some 175 miles northwest of Nauvoo — one of Brother Herrmeyer's favorite places. "Nauvoo has blessed my life in many ways and helped me through the difficult transition to the life of a Latter-day Saint," said Brother Herrmeyer, 64, a convert of 40 years.
So he came up with a plan to use the kiosk to promote Nauvoo to tourists. Finally, after years of planning and dead ends, his idea has come to fruition. Using his own funds and working with the Nauvoo Historical Society, which he joined for $10, he is stocking the kiosk for six months before the holiday season will raise the rental price. Materials include copies of a book about Nauvoo written by a member of the historical society, who is not a member of the Church but who loves the local history; brochures from the Nauvoo Chamber of Commerce; some knick-knacks such as lace doilies, Nauvoo replica bricks and replicas of pioneer candles.
Brother Herrmeyer, who frequently stocks the kiosk, ensures that all materials are historically based and not from any church in the area so as to adhere to mall public display rules.
His goal is simple — draw people to Nauvoo. "Once they get there, what happens is between them and the Lord. I just have faith. My job is to get them there."
Brother Herrmeyer's personal desire to draw people — members and others — to Nauvoo began long ago after his conversion to the Church at the University of Northern Iowa. "When you are converted to the Church you gain everything, but it can also cost you everything," he recalled, speaking of lost friendships.
"I learned early on of the Nauvoo restoration project. I took my wife and family the 175 miles to see what was happening. We returned often for dedications and to see new projects as they were completed. The more I learned of the history of the early members of the Church, the more respect and love I had for them and their sacrifice. They helped bring the message of the restored gospel that changed my life; their sacrifices helped put mine in perspective."
Brother Herrmeyer has spent some $2,700 on the kiosk, including rent, a sign and insurance. "I wouldn't have been able to get in as many doors on a mission as I have with this."
He surmises that by the end of the six-month period, at least 180 people will have taken materials about Nauvoo. He hopes to one day take his display to local travel, sports and vacation shows.
