The Fifth Annual Nauvoo Women’s Retreat will be held March 25 and 26, 2010, at Camp Nauvoo Lodge in Nauvoo, Illinois. This year’s theme “Fear Not: Be Full of Light and Hope” is based on the scripture: “Fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (D&C 6:34, 36).
This annual two-day women’s retreat is designed for women, ages 16 and older, to relax in beautiful Nauvoo, walk where early saints walked, savor inspiring messages and entertainment, and participate in redeeming ordinances in the beautiful Nauvoo Temple. Men are welcome to attend, but accommodations for babies or children are not available during the sessions.
Camp Nauvoo Lodge
The Nauvoo Women’s Retreat is held in the Community of Christ’s Camp Nauvoo Lodge, located in a 30-acre campground one-plus miles from Old Nauvoo and the Nauvoo Temple. This two-story cedar building has a meeting room with a wood-burning fireplace that provides a comfortable, homey feeling and an outside deck with a scenic view of the Mississippi River.
Camp Nauvoo Lodge Meeting Room
Keynote Speakers
This year’s keynote speakers, Dean Hughes, author of 90+ books, and Kathleen Hughes, former First Counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency, will discuss “Have Hope in Your Fellow Man.” They will explore the scripture “Fear not, little flock; do good” and share insights about “doing” and “being” good to increase light and hope in today’s world.
Dean and Kathleen Hughes
Dean Hugheshas published books for children, young adults, and adults.He holds a Master’s degree in creative writing and a Ph.D. in Literature. Dean retired as an English professor at BYU in 2008. Kathleen H. Hughesgraduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English Education and a Master’s degree in Special Education, and she completed work toward a doctorate degree. A public school teacher and administrator for 30 years, Kathleen retired from the Provo School District in 2002 to accept a position as First Counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Dean and Kathy Hughes are currently serving a full-time Public Affairs mission for the LDS Church in Nauvoo, Illinois. At the end of their mission in August 2010, they will return to their home in Utah. Dean and Kathy have three children and nine grandchildren.
Other Presenters and Session Topics
Jean Keaton
Jean Keaton, an inspiring artist and speaker, will conduct a session on “Have Hope in Your Journey.” Jean believes that “as mortals the closest thing we have to God’s perspective is hindsight.” Humbly yielding to the Spirit in times of adversity will provide peace, strength, and sanctifying lessons. When we submit to the Father’s will and serve our families, communities, and His kingdom, His love and wisdom will be revealed.
Jean Keatontaught for nine years after completing her degree in elementary and early childhood education. With a passion for drawing since she could hold a pencil, she began marketing prints in 1995 of her drawings of a loving, joyful, and personal Savior with children. She illustrated a book about the plan of happiness and the Lord’s awareness of each individual. Jean and her husband have five children; she and her family live in Kaysville, Utah.
Edye Isaacson-Wagstaff
Edye Isaacson-Wagstaff will speak on the topic “Have Hope in Your Heart.” As Edye encounters life’s adversities, she prays to see the pain and despair in another’s eyes and remember the price paid for endurance. Each person’s journey is unique, but by remembering the Savior’s tender mercies, we can rise above despair, find peace, and help others on their journey. Edye will describe her personal journey of finding hope when family life was crumbling.
Edye Wagstaff taught herself to play the piano, and she has been singing as long as she can remember. She has sung with many choirs and currently is a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She attended Ricks College and Utah State University, taught voice as an adjunct faculty member, and performed or directed productions in Logan and Salt Lake City, Utah. Edye is a music specialist for the Davis School district and loves teaching children to discover the joy of music. She now lives in Kaysville, Utah, with her husband and two children.
Kimberly Jo Smith
Kimberly Jo Smith, a great-great-granddaughter of Joseph and Emma Smith, will conduct a session on “Have Hope in Your Heritage.” She will share lessons of hope from the Prophet Joseph and Emma’s lives and help participants see how to apply these characteristics in their own lives.
Kim joined the LDS Church in 1998 after learning about her heritage. Now she serves as an ambassador for the Joseph Smith Jr. and Emma Hale Smith Historical Society, building bridges within her extended family about their famous ancestors. She is writing a book and collaborating with her son Bryan on a music CD about the Smith family. Kim and her two children live in Nauvoo.
Jillette Dayton
Jillette Dayton will provide insights about “Have Hope in Your Savior.” By learning more about the Savior’s divine role and how it applies to our lives, our faith will increase, and we will be filled with light and hope. As we learn to apply the Atonement, our hope will grow, and we will better handle what happens in our daily lives.
Jillette Daytonearned a degree in Musical Dance Theater at BYU and performed with the BYU Young Ambassadors. She has worked with the Music and Cultural Arts Division of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, depicting Mary Magdalene in the Savior of the World in Salt Lake City and Becky Laird in the Nauvoo Pageant. Jillette is a wife and mother in Cokeville, Wyoming.
Other Nauvoo Women’s Retreat Events
In addition to presenting a session in this year’s Retreat, Jillette Dayton will play Emma Smith in the re-enactment of the organization of the Relief Society in Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store. Matt Dickamore will portray Joseph Smith, with the Nauvoo Re-enactors Guild performing other roles in the re-enactment of this 1842 event.
Jeff and Matt Dickamore, 2008 Nauvoo Pageant
A seasoned actor, Matt Dickamore served as a Nauvoo Young Performing Missionary in 2000 and played Hyrum Smith in the 2008 Nauvoo Pageant, with his brother Jeff as Joseph Smith. He has performed in musicals, plays, and film in Utah, Idaho, Illinois, and England. Matt was a member of the original cast of Savior of the World at the LDS Conference Center Theatre. He now assists the Music and Cultural Arts Department of the Church and lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Nauvoo Women’s Retreat opens with a delicious breakfast for all participants in Camp Nauvoo Lodge’s lower-level kitchen/dining area. Other activities during this two-day event include a dessert social and service project, the popular Legacy Concert, a special Nauvoo Temple session, and time for visiting Old Nauvoo sites. Please join us in Nauvoo for this fun and inspiring weekend retreat.
To obtain more information or register for this event, visit www.nauvoovillas.com. Space is limited, and early registration ends February 25. Early registration for the full event, including Thursday’s breakfast, is $49 (or $59 after February 25). Registration for one day is $35 (or $45 after February 25). For more information, e-mail [email protected] or phone 217-357-9440 or 800-453-6717, ext 0.
