Liberty, Independence, and Kansas City, MO ( June 23, 2016)

6/23/2016

 Breakfast in Plattsburg, MO.

 Malea and Me

 Grandpa and Me

 Here we are from youngest to oldest waiting for the next tour to start.

 A sweet missionary shared some history of the Saints in this area.

 She explained why the tension was so high and the
saints suffered so much during this time.

 Ben, Ethan and Daniel help act out a confrontation with the Saints.

 

 My reflection in the original key to the Liberty Jail.

 The door through which prisoners entered.                       The Liberty Jail

 Wax model of Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail.

 An Artists conception of the same scene.

 Wax Models of those with Joseph in Liberty Jail.

Liberty Jail was considered escape proof. Surrounded by stone walls four feet thick, the floor-to-ceiling height in the dungeon was barely six feet. The food given to the prisoners was coarse and sometimes contaminated and filthy.  In the Prophet Joseph’s letters, he spoke, ^“Pen, or tongue, or angels,” could not adequately describe “the malice of hell” suffered there.  Yet, Elder B. H. Roberts spoke of the facility as a “prison-temple.” The restricting brutality and injustice of this experience at Liberty would make it seem the very antithesis of the liberating, merciful spirit of our temples and the ordinances performed in them. So in what sense could Liberty Jail be called a temple? Because of the lessons learned there.  These difficult lessons teach us that man’s extremity is God’s opportunity, and if we will be humble and faithful, if we will be believing and not curse God for our problems, He can turn the unfair and inhumane and debilitating prisons of our lives into temples—or at least into a circumstance that can bring comfort and revelation, divine companionship and peace. In one way or another, great or small, dramatic or incidental, every one of us is going to spend a little time in Liberty Jail—spiritually speaking. We will face things we do not want to face for reasons that may not be our fault. Indeed, we may face difficult circumstances for reasons that were absolutely right and proper, reasons that came because we were trying to keep the commandments of the Lord. We may face persecution, we may endure heartache and separation from loved ones, we may be hungry and cold and forlorn. Yes, before our lives are over we may all be given a little taste of what the prophets faced often in their lives. Jeffrey R. Holland

A random smoke stack in Liberty, MO, that is painted like a pencil. :) 

INDEPENDENCE, MO

 The RLDS church, now called the Community Church 

of Christ has a strong presence in Independence. MO.

 This is their temple, designed after the shape of a spiraling shell.

We went inside their temple for a video presentation and an organ recital, 

but the Spirit found in our temples is not found here. 

 They still own the field where the Temple Site was dedicated by Joseph Smith.

They own 40 or the 60 acres originally purchased by Joseph. We own 20.

 Each cornerstone of this future temple is clearly marked.

 The RLDS church was established by Joseph's posterity, although

they no longer regard  him as a prophet of God, but rather a man

who had a spiritual experience that sent him on a spiritual journey.

Their platform is one of world peace, which pales in comparison

what is available to all mankind, living and dead, because of the

legacy Joseph Smith left for those who followed.

 Ben in a tree near the LDS visitor's center in Independence.      Anna & Ben

THE LDS VISITOR'S CENTER IN INDEPENDENCE, MO. 

 Beautiful displays portrait life and events of pioneer life in this era.

 A replica of the printing press destroyed by a mob.

The Sister Missionary who was our guide on this part of the tour.

 The group listening to the missionary presentation.

Colton randomly ran into his Uncle, who was on a business trip from CA, while there. 

 There was a fun, hands-on room for the kids. ( Josh)

 Anna takes the reigns.

 Bradley gives it a go.                              Daniel takes the reigns.

Eliza takes a turn.

 

 Amy

                                         Jessica

Josh, Eliza, Anna and Ben

Amy and Jessica in the miniature pioneer house.

Checkers...pioneer style.

Amy and Colton at the well.

From smallest to tallest at the Savior's feet.

Nathan was too tired to be in the picture.

Me and three of my girls at Independence, MO.

Karrie, Laura, Me and Malea

 NOTE: The Shirley's headed home after our visit to Independence. :(

KANSAS CITY, MO TEMPLE 

On our way back to Plattsburg, we stopped by the Kansas City, MO temple.

Colton, Malea, Grandpa, Anna, Jessica, Laura, Ben, Ethan, Amy and Jason.

 Grandpa and I outside the Kansas, City, MO temple.