March 17, 1842…..no photographs taken of the day’s momentous event but if they had, it might have looked like this one. On this special day, the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo was organized by Joseph Smith in the upper room of the Red Brick Store.

During our first trip to Nauvoo in 2009, I heard about a Women’s Retreat held each March to commemorate the beginning of the Relief Society. It was something I really wanted to attend, even if it meant a bus trip from Florida (but who leaves FL in March to go north??). It took me until this year, but not to just attend…..I got to be part of the re-enactment cast.

Each year during the Retreat, the organizing of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo is re-enacted. When the email went out asking for participants, I jumped on it! A couple of practices, lots of memorizing (and falling asleep saying “I am Lucy Mack Smith…….”), and two performances in period clothing made for a very memorable week.

Here are a few shots Tom took between shows and afterward.

It was fun to see all the dresses, and different collar, day cap, and bonnet styles. I mused a bit while listening to the sisters’ chit-chat as we waited between performances. Our time together was much the same as our pioneer sisters meetings may have been……dress styles, discussions of home life, and details of service needed and rendered.

After each show, the cast lined up outside the Red Brick Store to greet audience members. By the way, “Joseph and Emma” standing at the head of the line…..were fabulous! They treated the audience with a beautiful song before each show.

There were several little miracles that happened….like me remembering my lines and the all-day-rain forecast changing to rain stopping before the day’s events began and holding off until evening. I am sure that was an answer to someone’s prayer.

Tom took this shot just outside Mother Smith’s home here in Historic Nauvoo.

“I am Lucy Mack Smith, mother of the Prophet Joseph”…..the first line in my part of the re-enactment. It was such an honor to portray such a sweet sister and one whom I have come to love dearly for her faith and fortitude during such difficulties and trials.

But even more than playing Mother Smith, the realization of just how far and wide the Relief Society’s reach has been felt was awe-inspiring…..from 28 sisters in a little room in Nauvoo to more than 6 million sisters worldwide. That’s the real miracle.