The Sixth Annual Nauvoo Women’s Retreat will take place on March 24 and 25, 2011, at Camp Nauvoo Lodge in Nauvoo, Illinois. This year’s theme “Becoming As One” is based on the Relief Society Declaration: “We are beloved spirit daughters of God, and our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction. As a worldwide sisterhood, we are united in our devotion to Jesus Christ, our Savior and Exemplar.” This year’s retreat will explore how to become as one in all aspects of our lives.
This annual two-day event is designed for women, ages 16 and older, to walk where early saints walked, learn from uplifting speakers 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.
The Nauvoo Women’s Retreat is held at the Community of Christ’s Camp Nauvoo Lodge, which is located in a 30-acre campground near Historic Nauvoo and the Nauvoo Temple. The two-story cedar building has a meeting room with a homey wood-burning fireplace, an outside deck with a scenic view of the Mississippi River, and kitchen/dining facilities in the basement.
While many LDS women’s retreats have huge crowds that attend, the Nauvoo Women’s Retreat offers a smaller, more intimate setting. Participants rub shoulders with session speakers and get to know them on a personal level. They witness a re-enactment of the organization of the Relief Society in Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store and visualize what it might have been like169 years ago when Joseph Smith turned the key in their behalf and said that “the Church was never perfectly organized until the women were thus organized.”
Women who attend the Nauvoo Women’s Retreat develop friendships that often begin when they travel together in a car or on the train, which makes stops in Burlington or Ft. Madison, Iowa, and Macomb, Illinois. A couple of years ago, several sisters in their late 70s and early 80s rode the train between Salt Lake City and Nauvoo, creating and sharing memories along the way as well as during the retreat. The spirit of Nauvoo envelops participants in historic warmth throughout their stay in this peaceful community in the early spring.
“Becoming As One”
Jillette Dayton will introduce this year’s theme, “Becoming As One,” and give a brief overview of what will take place. In addition, she will portray Emma Smith in the Relief Society re-enactment in Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store. Jillette has been a popular speaker and entertainer at several Nauvoo Women’s Retreats. She earned a degree in Musical Dance Theater at BYU and performed with 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 Savior of the World in Salt Lake City and Becky Laird in the Nauvoo Pageant. Jillette lives in Cokeville, Wyoming, with her husband and children.
Keynote Speakers
William and RaNae McKee, this year’s keynote speakers, will explore the retreat theme “Becoming As One” by addressing the topic ‘Strengthening Marriages, Families, and Homes.” The McKees will discuss such questions as: Do conflict and confusion smother blessings families can receive if they are unified? Do families sing “Love at Home” and truly mean it? In this session participants will learn how to become “Christ-like Trainers” with their families and “one” with the Lord.
William McKee has been a professional counselor for over 20 years and has taught at Idaho State University and the LDS Institute. RaNae McKee is a talented musician and music teacher. The McKees have owned and operated several businesses in Pocatello, Idaho, including a two-acre petting zoo with over 200 animals. They are the parents of 10 children, and more than 40 foster children have blessed their home. During 2008 and 2009, the McKee family built testimony-strengthening memories as they participated in the Nauvoo Pageant.
Other Presenters and Session Topics
Edye Isaacson-Wagstaff has chosen to address the topic “Standing for Truth and Righteousness.” As a result of performing in or directing many musical productions, Edye has worked with people from all walks of life. She will share lessons she has learned about loving, supporting, and appreciating others who have philosophies and beliefs different from her own.
Edye Wagstaff 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. A music specialist for the Davis School District, Edye loves teaching children the joy of music. She lives in Kaysville, Utah, with her husband and two children.
Lisa Killian will present a session on “Increasing Our Testimonies of Jesus Christ.” Her insightful ideas will help participants discover how they can personally communicate with Heavenly Father and identify nuggets of truth designed for each of them as they search the scriptures and pray. Lisa will also introduce a twist on scripture study by using hymns and other sacred music.
Lisa Killian serves as Stake Public Affairs Representative in Kennewick, Washington. She has been a ward and stake Young Women President, ward Relief Society President, and seminary teacher. Her favorite callings revolve around her husband, four sons, daughters-in-law, and granddaughter. In addition to being with family, Lisa enjoys gardening and singing.
“Seeking Spiritual Strength by Following the Spirit” is the retreat topic Chenille Saunders has chosen to address. This presentation will be filled with music and personal stories as Chenille explores how to seek the spiritual side of life, recognize promptings of the Spirit, ask specific questions to receive specific answers from Heavenly Father, and understand one’s privileges and mission on earth.
Chenille Saunders is a professional coloratura soprano, recording artist, and motivational speaker. She performs over 100 times a year with her 4 ½-octave singing range and shares her personal testimony of the gospel. Chenille has presented at Youth Conferences and BYU Idaho Education Week and performed leading roles in musical productions, such as “My Fair Lady.” She and her husband own music schools in Carthage and Quincy, Illinois. They live in Carthage, Illinois, with their three children.
Other Women’s Retreat Activities
Matt Dickamore and Jillette Dayton will play Joseph and Emma Smith in the yearly re-enactment of the organization of the Relief Society in the upstairs room of the Red Brick Store.
The Nauvoo Re-enactors Guild will assist them in the portrayal of this 1842 event.
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 is employed as Creative Director for Denton House Interiors in Salt Lake City, Utah, and assists the Music and Cultural Arts Department of the Church.
This is Matt’s second year to portray Joseph Smith in the Relief Society re-enactment.
The Nauvoo Women’s Retreat will open with a delicious breakfast for all participants in Camp Nauvoo Lodge’s lower-level kitchen/dining area. Other activities include a dessert social, the popular Legacy Concert, a special Nauvoo Temple session, and time to visit historic sites. Nauvoo, Illinois, is a perfect setting for an inspiring and unforgettable two-day women’s retreat.
To obtain more information or register for this event, visit www.nauvoovillas.com, e-mail [email protected], or phone 217-357-9440 or 800-453-6717, ext. 0.
Rosemary Palmer is Nauvoo, Illinois, correspondent for Meridian Magazine.
