Images showing all seasons of life in Nauvoo, Illinois

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Our Story Goes On…… {Part-3}

(There were too many amazing images to do one post, so it is divided into Part-1, Part-2, and Part-3. This is mostly posted for the core cast to share with family and friends….but the rest of you, just enjoy!)

We felt the full gamut of emotions. From laughter (Andy’s rooster and Garrett’s toddler sounds) to bittersweet feelings (sending a child off to college) to relief (prodigal child returns) to excitement (Alex singing “She Loves Me!”) to joy (marriage, new baby) to reflection (Ken singing “Do You Love Me?”) to sadness (as a loved one passes on)…..we saw chapters of our life stories on stage.

The music was beyond beautiful. One hour of solid play time. The pianist was amazing.

To the 2014 Core Cast (and uber talented pianist):

You are awesome. You have touched so many hearts and lives with your talents, your kind words, and never-ending energy. May God bless you when you leave our fair city and…..your story goes on.

With love,

Tom and Jeanette

Tags: nauvoo pageant core cast, our story goes on

Monday, July 28, 2014

Our Story Goes On…… {Part-2}

(There were too many amazing images to do one post, so it is divided into Part-1, Part-2, and Part-3. This is mostly posted for the core cast to share with family and friends….but the rest of you, just enjoy!)

We have seen this performance several times since 2009 and all have been fabulous but this last show reached straight into our hearts, tugged at cords and pulled a little harder as the “chapters” hit closer to experiences we have had in our own life stories.

There was a deeper connection felt than in years past. As one cast member said after the show, “It was the first time we could see faces of the audience. We saw the emotions in their faces and felt it as well.” (Show started at 7:30—before dark)

Coming Next…..Part-3.

Tags: nauvoo pageant core cast, our story goes on

Monday, July 28, 2014

Our Story Goes On…… {Part-1}

A story found sandwiched between a book’s cover, whether long or short, has a beginning, an end, and is usually divided into chapters….but not the “story” we saw and heard as performed by the Nauvoo and British Pageants’ core cast. This story was different. It was the story of our lives—with no beginning and no end.

(There were too many amazing images to do one post, so it is divided into Part-1, Part-2, and Part-3. This is mostly posted for the core cast to share with family and friends….but the rest of you, just enjoy!)

Don’t ask….you would have to have been there. But, sometimes, grown men act like babies.

….sometimes grown men act like roosters too!

Coming Next……Part-2.

Tags: nauvoo pageant core cast, our story goes on

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Nauvoo Temple “Shadow in the Clouds”

At the end of each performance of the Nauvoo Pageant, President Gordon B. Hinckley’s voice is heard saying,

“Today, facing west, on the high bluff overlooking the city of Nauvoo, thence across the Mississippi, and over the plains of Iowa, there stands Joseph’s temple, a magnificent house of God. Here in the Salt Lake Valley, facing east to that beautiful temple in Nauvoo, stands Brigham’s temple, the Salt lake Temple. They look toward one another as bookends between which there are volumes’ that speak of the suffering, the sorrow, the sacrifice, even the deaths of thousands who made the long journey from the Mississippi River to the valley of the Great Salt Lake.”

As we hear that familiar quote, known as President Hinckley’s “Bookend Quote”, the lights illuminating the temple are turned on at the end of the Pageant each night. It is one of the most heartfelt and spiritually electrifying moment during the Pageant performance.

This particular night as the lights came on, there was a low-hanging cloud just beyond the temple and when the lights hit the temple at their upward angle, it projected the silhouette of the temple on those clouds. When this happened those who were in attendance began oohing and aching at the unusual sight. Cell phones and cameras came out and clicked away.

I had my camera in hand and ran to the top of the stage. Luckily I had my 50mm 1.4 (very fast, low-light Canon lens) attached. Here is the result……

Tags: nauvoo lds temple, nauvoo pageant

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Monday, July 21, 2014

The British Pageant’s Cutest Little Cast Member

Yep. I think this qualifies for a one-photo post.

As I was heading to my seat to shoot the British Pageant I ran into Alex DeBirk, who along with his wife Melinda, play Joseph and Emma Smith in the Nauvoo Pageant.

I love this photo. Not because I took it but because of who is in the photo and every so often as a photographer all of the elements just come together for one of those “Awwww…..” moments. Talk about being in the right place.

I hope you enjoy the photo of the British Pageant’s cutest little cast member as much as I did capturing the image.

Hope to see you at the pageants this year!

Tom

Tags: british pageant, nauvoo pageant core cast, nauvoo photography, summer in nauvoo

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Flipping Over the British Pageant

(Just a quick preview of some of what’s coming with our coverage of the British Pageant.)

Tom caught one of the Young Performing Missionaries in action during a dance number doing something that, if most of us attempted such a feat, would land us on our heads! The dance numbers in the British Pageant are awesome! Each one is full of movement, color, and excitement leaving you with a feeling of pure joy, tapping your toes, and wondering…..”how’d they do that!”.

With dance numbers eliciting ooh’s and ahhh’s (followed by thunderous applause!), we are lovin’ the British Pageant here in Nauvoo.

Trail of Hope Moving Vignettes present Moments in Nauvoo History

One special part of Nauvoo Pageant experience includes the vignettes performed by pageant cast members as they present moments in Nauvoo history. The vignettes along the Trail of Hope are particularly moving sketches.

Beginning at the Seventies Hall, small groups of visitors walk along the same path early saints took down Parley Street to the river’s edge, stopping to listen as stories are told about the faith and hope that carried the saints through hardships, travails, and trials during the 1840’s.

Often tears are shed as visitors and cast members alike feel the nearness of the Spirit standing on this sacred ground listening to stories told from the journals of those who were there. It is always one of our favorite experiences during Nauvoo Pageant time.

Getting to know the 2014 Pageant cast members has been a joy. Gratitude and love are the feelings we share for all of the hard work, long days and sacrifice these cast members experience so that we might have these wonderful moments.