At my firesides for the past 20 years, I have been telling people who didn’t understand why Emma stayed behind, that I felt there was a much bigger reason than just wanting to be buried beside her husband and family—though she may not have realized it at the time. If she had not stayed in […]
Kimberly Smith’s Statement on the LDS Church’s Big Announcement Read More »
“We assume so many things that aren’t so,” said Karen Ihrig. Ihrig has lived in Nauvoo for 50 years and she’s been engaged in civic involvement for the last 30 years. “It’s not what you know that ain’t so,” said Ihrig. “It’s what you think you know that ain’t so.” Originally from Chicago, Ihrig came
A Pillar of the Community: 50 Years in Nauvoo Read More »
Across the fields of western Illinois, there is a little-known trail, which follows the footsteps of the prophet Joseph Smith as he left Nauvoo for the last time, and rode 21 miles to his eventual death at the hands of a mob at Carthage Jail. The “martyrdom trail,” as it is known, takes a long
The Forgotten Trail: A Solemn Journey to Carthage Jail Read More »
This poem was written by my 5th-great grandfather Jesse Ballard (1808-1865). He writes about the biggest trials he faced in life including the deaths of his wife and his seventeen-year-old son. His poem is very religious and even though he wasn’t a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the focus of
Bridging Time Through Poetry: Words from my Fifth Great-Grandpa Read More »
One of the best parts about living in a small town is the community events. I especially love the LDS church history events. This Saturday, February 3, 2024, there’s a special annual event called the Nauvoo Exodus Commemoration. Finding A Safe Haven Living here now, when the population is around 1,000, it’s difficult for me
We Are All Refugees Read More »
I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but we are not living in a peace-filled world this Christmas. There are wars and countless conflicts happening right now across the globe. Sometimes, the conflicts are happening in our own homes, families, and communities. This Christmas I have been struggling with this question: how do we find peace
Five Ways to Find Peace in Christ this Christmas Read More »
If you were to meet Karen Blunier, owner of Nauvoo Yoga, your first impression of her would probably be that she is an incredibly calm and mellow person. In first meeting her, you would, of course, have no idea where she’s been and what she’s been through. You wouldn’t know that she’s a nurse with
Rooted in Balance at Nauvoo Yoga: How One Woman Found Peace Read More »
Participation in Petticoats Over the summer, I participated in the National Scout Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. I was part of the “Buckskin Village,” the mountain man section of the camp, where old men dressed like mountain men. My Aunt, a capable seamstress, equipped me with wonderful regalia that was identical
On Friday, September 22 at the Nauvoo Stake Center, a chapel full of people came to learn about the history of the life of Joseph Smith. That particular Thursday and Friday marked the bicentennial of an important event in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On those dates in 1823,
The Book of Mormon: A Wondrous Work Read More »
My husband and I recently celebrated our wedding anniversary. With a little help from my friends, I was able to plan a fun surprise for him! Disclaimer: As of September 2023, I am a promotional partner of The Nauvoo Grand Bed & Breakfast This means I promote their business for compensation such as discounts and
Surprise: A Weekend Away at the Nauvoo Grand Read More »
