Happy New Year! I’m realizing that January is becoming one of my favorite times of year. That’s because it’s oftentimes full of two things: hope and snow. Snow is cold and can be a nightmare to drive through, but in my mind, snow equates to fresh starts and clean slates. January is full of hope. […]
Kindness that Can Never be Forgotten Read More »
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 »
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 »
It was just another typical summer morning. Make breakfast. Get dressed. Take the kids to the park. Put the baby down for a nap. Get my morning workout in. But then, the sky turned green. We hid in our basement closet and waited for the storm to stop. When it was over, we went outside
Facing Destruction with Remarkable Bravery and Faith Read More »
In honor of Pioneer Day (July 24, 1847) when the first company of pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, I’d like to take you on a “walk” through the Nauvoo Pageant. Experience the Magic Before it even begins, you’re in love. On your way to pageant, you pass the Mississippi River. Wait, look! The
Sunsets, Music, And Dancing: The Magic Of Summer In Nauvoo Read More »
I wanted to write about this revelation from Doctrine & Covenants that you can read fully here. This is a big one! Note: I’m not going to write about plural marriage (this is such a big topic. If you are interested in learning about it I recommend you read the Saints books or this essay
Everlasting Marriages Are Not Made of Magic Read More »
The sister post to this article about Mary Fielding Smith’s experience at the martyrdom of her husband Hyrum can be found at Pioneering Sisterhood here. P.S. Dear Emma, I am very much resigned to my lot, knowing I am justified and have done the best that could be done. Give my love to the children.1
“I am Strong Now,” Emma on the Day of the Martyrdom Read More »
