Matthew had training in Kansas City for his job and invited us to tag along with him. While he was in class, the kids and I decided to take a road trip to see a few church history sites. We mapped out a route and headed off on our expedition.
Independence.
The church has a visitor center in the middle of the bustling town of Independence with wonderful interactive exhibits of what it was like for the pioneers to live there in 1831.
The horse was being repaired.
We had the best missionary guide.
Across the street to the north is the Community of Christ's church head quarters
(The Community of Christ was founded by those who chose not to follow Brigham Young).
(sorry no picture)
Across the street to the east is the Community of Christ's temple.
Across the street to the north east (diagonal) is the temple lot.
The temple lot is the first site dedicated to the building of a temple.
Liberty Jail.
Joseph Smith and five other men were unjustly charged with treason and held in Liberty Jail during the winter of 1838-1839.
The Liberty Jail visitor center is a building right smack in the middle of the town of Liberty.
The Jail has been recreated exactly as it was and on the very spot of where it stood.
It was here that Joseph Smith received revelation for sections 121 122 and 123 of the Doctrine and Covenants.
This is such an interesting tree. We saw several so they must be native to the area.
A short distance south is where the Rich cabin still stands.
Unfortunately, Caleb was under the weather on this trip of ours. I thought he was coming down with something before we left but then he seamed to be just fine. He wasn't though and had a low grade fever all day. I don't think we got one picture of him smiling.
Never too sick to have a leaf fight.
We had to stop at the country store to get a little treat.
You can tell from our hair that the wind sure was whipping around that day.
Adam-ondi-ahman.
Several miles north of Far West is Adam-ondi-ahman. It is the third temple planned but never constructed.
The country side is BEAUTIFUL even on an overcast day in late fall (unfortunately it is hard to tell from these pictures - the lighting just wasn't ideal).
Joseph Smith and five other men were unjustly charged with treason and held in Liberty Jail during the winter of 1838-1839.
The Liberty Jail visitor center is a building right smack in the middle of the town of Liberty.
The Jail has been recreated exactly as it was and on the very spot of where it stood.
It was here that Joseph Smith received revelation for sections 121 122 and 123 of the Doctrine and Covenants.
Far West.
Several miles north of Liberty is Far West.
The Far West Temple was the second temple commenced but never constructed by the early Saints. Although the Saints were not able to complete the temple, cornerstones for a temple were laid here in July 1838. These cornerstones are beautifully preserved and displayed under protective glass.
This is such an interesting tree. We saw several so they must be native to the area.
These strange round balls drop from it.
A short distance south is where the Rich cabin still stands.
Unfortunately, Caleb was under the weather on this trip of ours. I thought he was coming down with something before we left but then he seamed to be just fine. He wasn't though and had a low grade fever all day. I don't think we got one picture of him smiling.
Never too sick to have a leaf fight.
You can tell from our hair that the wind sure was whipping around that day.
Adam-ondi-ahman.
Several miles north of Far West is Adam-ondi-ahman. It is the third temple planned but never constructed.
The country side is BEAUTIFUL even on an overcast day in late fall (unfortunately it is hard to tell from these pictures - the lighting just wasn't ideal).
On our way to the valley overlook.
Another unusual tree.
Two deer ran through the field while we were there.
Hannah was very contemplative while we were here. She told me that it was a very special place to her. A place she had always wanted to go to.
On our way to spring hill.
Spring Hill.
Hiking down Spring Hill.
Another two deer ran through the field.
At the bottom of Spring Hill.
Look at that gnarly white tree.
The sun finally peeks through for just a moment.
Pour Caleb. He was so sick but followed us around all day as we tromped. Looking at these pictures pulls at my heart. He looks so tired.
holy ground
There is a beauty to the land that cannot be captured. A sacred presence of those who were once here. Their love of the Lord, their sacrifices to build the kingdom of God, their sorrows and joys still linger. It whispers, you are on holy ground, you are on holy ground.
These places we visited take on additional meaning when I imagine our ancestors here, so, I thought I would include just a little history about one particular family. The family of Morris and Laura Phelps.
From Mary Ann Phelps Rich's life history,
Laura first heard of the Book of Mormon while Morris was away on business in Tazewell County, and she wrote him and he told Charles C. Rich and others. After joining the Church, they followed the call of the Church and removed to Jackson County, Missouri, in October 1831. They arrived in Independence, Missouri, on March 6, 1831, and on April 7, 1832, their third baby girl was born in Lyman Wight’s tent, so they named the baby Harriet Wight. She was the first Mormon girl born in Independence. Laura and Morris bought their inheritance on Little Prairie and settled down. John Murdock lost his wife after giving birth to twins. The Prophet and his wife took the twins, and Laura and Morris took his boy who was just older than Paulina and a great help to Laura.
In the fall of 1833, murderous mobs gathered and drove the Saints from their homes under severe persecution. Morris and Laura gathered what little they could and fled to Clay County in bitter weather. Morris rented a farm and several attempts were made to go back to Jackson County. During this time they became well acquainted with the Prophet and grew to love him even more. Then on September 20, 1834, Morris left his family and went on a mission with Apostle David Patten and others. Laura worked hard and, by teaching school and acting as a midwife, was able to support her family.
Since Morris was a carpenter, he was called to work on the temple at Kirtland. He was ordained a high priest on August 17, 1835, by William W. Phelps and John W. Whitman. After receiving the holy ordinances, Morris returned home and baptized his brother, Orrin, his daughter, Paulina, and his foster son, John Murdock.
He bought a farm just outside of Far West on June 2, 1837, but trouble was already brewing. One day the Prophet and his brother came running by their house and Laura hid them in her house behind the clothes curtain. When the mob rushed in and their leader said, “Where are they? We know they are here, we saw them come,” she answered calmly and with apparent unconcern, “No, gentlemen, they are not here, but you are welcome to look all you want to.” She tried to look unconcerned while the mob made a hasty search and left. Upon emerging from his hiding place, the Prophet said, “Sister Laura, there are black lies and white lies and that certainly was a white one that came from your lips.”
Then followed a series of incidents--the Battle of Crooked River, October 1838, occurred when the Mormons tried to defend themselves. The militia joined the mob and many Mormon leaders were taken prisoner. Among them were the Prophet, his brother, Parley P. Pratt, Morris C. Phelps, Timothy B. Clark and many others. Governor Boggs issued an order to exterminate the Mormons and much destruction was done culminating in the terrible Haun’s Mill Massacre.
The mob came into the Morris Phelps yard and shot the animals, and when Harriet tried to protect her pet pig they were going to shoot her. Laura ran out and said, ‘Shoot all the animals you desire but leave my little girl alone.”
Major General Lucas surrounded several hundred and got what they thought were the leaders, and then he ordered Brigadier General Doniphan to take Joseph Smith and others out and shoot them. He refused and, as a result, Parley P. Pratt, Morris C. Phelps, and others were taken through Jackson County to Ray County and put in prison at Richmond.
The men were fastened with irons and subjected to very harsh treatment. One night while Morris lay next to the Prophet and [he] tried to sleep and could not because of the terrible goings on of their guards, their language being shocking and most abusive. All of a sudden the Prophet arose to his feet, and spoke in a voice of thunder, or as the roar of a lion, uttering as near as Morris could remember later the following words:
“Silence, ye fiends of the infernal pit, in the name of Jesus Christ I rebuke you, and command you to be still. I will not live another minute and hear such language. Cease such talk, or you or I will die this instant!" The guards quailed and begged his pardon and remained quiet the rest of the night.
He bought a farm just outside of Far West on June 2, 1837, but trouble was already brewing. One day the Prophet and his brother came running by their house and Laura hid them in her house behind the clothes curtain. When the mob rushed in and their leader said, “Where are they? We know they are here, we saw them come,” she answered calmly and with apparent unconcern, “No, gentlemen, they are not here, but you are welcome to look all you want to.” She tried to look unconcerned while the mob made a hasty search and left. Upon emerging from his hiding place, the Prophet said, “Sister Laura, there are black lies and white lies and that certainly was a white one that came from your lips.”
Then followed a series of incidents--the Battle of Crooked River, October 1838, occurred when the Mormons tried to defend themselves. The militia joined the mob and many Mormon leaders were taken prisoner. Among them were the Prophet, his brother, Parley P. Pratt, Morris C. Phelps, Timothy B. Clark and many others. Governor Boggs issued an order to exterminate the Mormons and much destruction was done culminating in the terrible Haun’s Mill Massacre.
The mob came into the Morris Phelps yard and shot the animals, and when Harriet tried to protect her pet pig they were going to shoot her. Laura ran out and said, ‘Shoot all the animals you desire but leave my little girl alone.”
Major General Lucas surrounded several hundred and got what they thought were the leaders, and then he ordered Brigadier General Doniphan to take Joseph Smith and others out and shoot them. He refused and, as a result, Parley P. Pratt, Morris C. Phelps, and others were taken through Jackson County to Ray County and put in prison at Richmond.
The men were fastened with irons and subjected to very harsh treatment. One night while Morris lay next to the Prophet and [he] tried to sleep and could not because of the terrible goings on of their guards, their language being shocking and most abusive. All of a sudden the Prophet arose to his feet, and spoke in a voice of thunder, or as the roar of a lion, uttering as near as Morris could remember later the following words:
“Silence, ye fiends of the infernal pit, in the name of Jesus Christ I rebuke you, and command you to be still. I will not live another minute and hear such language. Cease such talk, or you or I will die this instant!" The guards quailed and begged his pardon and remained quiet the rest of the night.
After this Joseph and Hyrum and others were put in Liberty Jail while Parley P. Pratt, Morris Phelps, and others remained in Richmond Jail. There they remained suffering the untold hardships and deprivations in their dungeon for six months. Laura visited Morris in jail in the hopes they would release him, but she finally had to leave and go to Illinois as Governor Boggs had issued an order expelling Laura from Missouri. She went to Quincy and then to Commerce, which later was called Nauvoo, and finally crossed the river to settle near her father seven miles west of Montrose in Iowa.
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