Images showing all seasons of life in Nauvoo, Illinois

Monday, July 7, 2014

It’s Almost Here!! Excitement grows during Pageant Pre-Show Prep

It’s that time again. It’s Pageant time in Nauvoo!

Residents here begin watching in early June as the pageant grounds are prepped, stage floor is cleaned and repaired, barricades are removed, concession stand is put in place, lights are hoisted, chairs set in rows before the stage, and the sound engineer tent goes up……then they arrive. Who? The Pageant Core Cast. Yippee!!

Excitement grows day by day as each pageant piece unfolds and rehearsals begin, but this year, there is something extra to look forward to—the British Pageant. For the first time in Nauvoo, in celebration of the Nauvoo Pageant 10^th anniversary, we get to enjoy two shows!

Well, here are a few photos Tom snapped during pre-show week of the final preparations. We can hardly wait! Tomorrow night is opening night. Watch for photos to come from both shows!

Looking down on the Pageant grounds and stage from the hill near the Nauvoo Temple. Mississippi River in the background looks still. That’s Montrose, IA across the River.

The guys with all the power…..lighting and sound guys who keep it all moving seamlessly.

One of four?? (we haven’t counted) light towers. Towers are on the grounds year round…..lights go up for Pageant.

Core cast getting instructions. Some familiar faces, some new faces….all awesomely talented.

Stage crew with part of the British Pageant set. These guys move quick…..and in the dark too!! Don’t know how they do it.

Core cast member, Andy Harrison during British Pageant rehearsal.

If you haven’t seen the pageant yet, here are the dates. If you can’t make it this summer, there’s always next year…..and I promise, you will “remember it always.”

Tags: nauvoo pageant, nauvoo pageant core cast, nauvoo photography, our story goes on

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Martyrdom Commemoration at Carthage

Remembering the day when Joseph and Hyrum Smith were killed in the Carthage jail 170 years ago, we gathered to honor the martyrs during the 2014 Martyrdom Commemoration.

During those times when words cannot adequately express emotions felt, photographs can often better convey the message……

martyrdom commemoration attendees photo by nauvoo photographer tom simpson

A quiet reverence permeated the audience as the large group of attendees filled the grounds near the old Carthage Jail and Visitors Center.

Young Performing Missionaries give a special performance during the Joseph and Hyrum Smith Martyrdom Commemoration in Carthage.

carthage jail with statue of joseph and hyrum smith

Statue of Joseph and Hyrum Smith stand on the grounds near the Historic Carthage Jail as attendees listen intently to the speakers.

joseph smith martyrdom commemoration speaker president gibbons photo by tom simpson

Nauvoo Mission President, Larry W. Gibbons, gives a stirring tribute of Joseph and Hyrum to the crowd attending the commemoration.

joseph smith martyrdom commemoration with riderless horses

Riderless horses pass by as a reminder of sobering days long ago.

For a more detailed historical account of the martyrdom, watch The Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith (Joseph Smith Papers – Episode 49).

Tags: 2014 young performing missionaries, carthage jail, martyrdom commemoration

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Martyrdom Commemoration at the Smith Family Cemetery

June 27^th, 1844 is a special day in Nauvoo history. It is the day Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed by a mob. Each year, a commemoration is held in their honor, one of which is held at the Smith Family Cemetery near Joseph’s home in Nauvoo.

A gentle breeze blew on this day keeping the crowd cooled even with full sun shining. The Young Performing Missionaries sang, the Nauvoo Brass Band played, Community of Christ missionaries spoke, as did Susan Easton Black Durrant…..all in tribute to the martyrs and the message the left behind.

historic nauvoo martyrdom commemoration nauvoo photography tom simpson

Nauvoo Brass Band provided several musical numbers.

joseph and hyrum smith grave site historic nauvoo

Gravesites of Joseph and Hyrum in the Smith Family Cemetery

nauvoo photography by tom simpson of susan easton black durrant

Susan Easton Black Durrant gives the keynote address during the commemoration.

Estel Neff, the oldest living descendant of Joseph and Hyrum’s sister Catherine gather with friends to place flowers.

remembering joseph and hyrum smith at martyrdom commemoration photo by tom simpson

Cecel Neff, George and Susan Durrant, Sister and President McArthur, and Estel Neff at the martyrdom commemoration in Historic Nauvoo.

For a more detailed historical account of the martyrdom, watch The Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith (Joseph Smith Papers – Episode 49).

Tags: 2014 young performing missionaries, george durrant, joseph smith homestead, martyrdom commemoration, nauvoo brass band, smith family cemetery, susan easton black durrant

Saturday, June 28, 2014

BYU “Living Legends” Awesome Nauvoo Shows {Part-2}

BYU Living Legends 2014

(This is the 2nd group of photos from the BYU Living Legends shows in Nauvoo this summer. Click HERE for Part-1.)

Each summer during the month of June, two BYU performing groups each spend two weeks entertaining Nauvoo residents and visitors. The Living Legends show was performed each night after Sunset by the Mississippi on the Outdoor Stage in Historic Nauvoo.

The beauty and intricate detail in the costumes and dance was remarkable and beautiful. After the show, we mingled with the performers and learned where they were from, their courses of study, missions, etc…such sweet vibrant young folks you won’t find anywhere else in the world. We felt honored and privileged to be in their presence.

”Having been some days in preparation, a splendid time is guaranteed for all !”….and so it was! Enjoy images from Part-2…..

new zealand dance at living legends show in nauvoo

NEW ZEALAND: Te Wa a Tumatauengo

polynesian dance at living legends show in nauvoo

NEW ZEALAND: Te Wa a Tumatauengo

polynesian he korero riri dance costume at nauvoo living legends show

NEW ZEALAND: He Korero Riri

aztec dance costume living legends nauvoo show

MEXICO: Aztec

feathered headdress aztec dance costume byu living legends nauvoo show

MEXICO: Aztec

aztec dance costume nauvoo summer shows at outdoor stage

MEXICO: Aztec

tongan laka laka dance performers byu living legends nauvoo show

TONGA: Laka Laka

north american dance costume byu living legends nauvoo show

NORTH AMERICA: Jingle Grass

jingle grass dance costume byu living legends nauvoo show

NORTH AMERICA: Jingle Grass

north american costumes jingle grass dance byu living legends

NORTH AMERICA: Jingle Grass

colorful miexican dance costumes living legends nauvoo show

MEXICO: La Negra

mexican la negra dance byu living legends nauvoo show 2014

MEXICO: La Negra

hoop dance byu living legends show in nauvoo

NORTH AMERICA: Hoop Dance

north american hoop dance living legends nauvoo show

NORTH AMERICA: Hoop Dance

hoop dance byu living legends 2014 show in nauvoo

NORTH AMERICA: Hoop Dance

hoop dance living legends 2014 nauvoo show

NORTH AMERICA: Hoop Dance

go my son byu living legends nauvoo show 2014

NORTH AMERICA: Go My Son

June is a great time to visit Nauvoo. In 2013 we enjoyed Vocal Point and the International Folk Dancers. Come next year and see which BYU group shows up…..and enjoy the rest of Historic Nauvoo while you are here!

Tags: byu performers, summer in nauvoo

Friday, June 27, 2014

BYU “Living Legends” Awesome Nauvoo Shows {Part-1}

BYU Living Legends 2014

living legends director janielle christensen introducing living legends in nauvoo

BYU Living Legends Director Janielle Christensen

The first BYU group I had the privilege to see perform was the Lamanite Generation back in the mid-1970’s. It was my first connection to my soon to be alma mater….so this all Native American performing group has a special place in my heart and memory.

I had the privilege of seeing this group perform again here in Nauvoo (but this time under their new name of “Living Legends”) and as always, the shows were awesome!

Composed of Native American, Polynesian, and Latin American dancers, the perform dances that originate in those cultures. I had a chance to visit with several members during their 2-week show run and asked about their dances. The Polynesian dancers said theirs were the best….but so did the Latin American and Native American dancers. I do have my favorites…..

Tom took 350+ photos during the first show we watched and it has been really, really hard to select images for a post saluting these hard-working students. So…..I am dividing the photos into two posts. Here’s the first batch with country and name of the dance listed.

north american dancer byu living legends in nauvoo

NORTH AMERICAN: Eagle

byu living legends san juanita dance in nauvoo show

ECUADOR: San Juanita

byu living legends samoan dancer at nauvoo show

SAMOA: Sasa

byu living legends samoan dancers at nauvoo show

SAMOA: Lapa Lapa

byu living legends samoan dancers nauvoo show

SAMOA: Slap

byu living legends argentine dancers nauvoo show

ARGENTINA: Chacarera

byu living legends tahitian dancers nauvoo show

THAHITI: Ote’a Tavevo, Ote’a Hopu

byu living legends tahiti dancer nauvoo sho

THAHITI: Ote’a Tavevo, Ote’a Hopu

byu living legends nauvoo show tahitian dance

THAHITI: Ote’a Tavevo, Ote’a Hopu

byu living legends native american fancy dance nauvoo show

NORTH AMERICAN: Fancy

byu living legends native american dance nauvoo show

NORTH AMERICAN: Fancy

byu living legends native american dancers nauvoo show

NORTH AMERICAN: Fancy

byu living legends caporales dance nauvoo show

BOLIVIA: Caporales

byu living legends season of war nauvoo show

NORTH AMERICAN: Warrior’s Suite

byu living legends warrior's suite nauvoo show

NORTH AMERICAN: Warrior’s Suite

Didn’t you love the costumes?!! There’s more coming………watch tomorrow for BYU “Living Legends” Part-2!

Tags: byu performers, summer in nauvoo

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Thursday, June 26, 2014

Remembering Our Nauvoo Founders {Theodore Turley Home}

“We like firsts,” said Susan Easton Black Durrant at a recent event. Aptly stated. Have you ever noticed? With babies it’s the first tooth, first word, first step. With teens it the first car, first date, first dance. With communities and people, it’s the first church, government building, home.

So what was the “first” being commemorated at this event? The first Latter-day Saint home in Nauvoo, built by Theodore Turley (1801-1871) in June 1839. Descendants, friends, and local residents met at the Turley home site, located at the corner of Hyde and Water Streets, to recognize the efforts of Theodore Turley, as well as thousands of early saints who settled the area.

On the program was Susan Easton Black Durrant who spoke of Nauvoo’s history. Richard E. Turley, Jr., Assistant Church Historian, who represented the Theodore Turley Family Organization, followed Susan. His message gave a clear understanding of the man Theodore was and many ways he served his family, church, and community.

A commemorative tree planting was part of the event with Richard Turley planting the first tree (a hybrid English and American Oak), representing the many early settlers who planted roots deep in Nauvoo’s soil.

Want to be part of the commemoration and plant your “roots” in Nauvoo? Individual families or family groups can purchase a tree through Nauvoo Facilities Management to be planted. (Call NFM for information.)

See more of our Founder Days coverage of Nauvoo “firsts” with our post about Moving Day.

Tags: historic nauvoo, nauvoo founder days, turley historic home site

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Friday, May 30, 2014

Our Beautiful Light One Early Nauvoo Morning

It’s called “the golden hour.” You know, that first hour directly after sunrise……when the world is awakening for a new day. The time when the birds begin singing and most people are dragging, trying to get out of bed.

That golden hour guarantees you one thing. Beautiful light. Like the light you see in this beautiful early morning shot in Historic Nauvoo. Serene. Peaceful. Beautiful.

Anyone know where this was taken?

Tags: brigham young home, nauvoo photography

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