Nauvoo Reunion Part 2

Tuesday - June 26th

Where in the world is Leighton?!?

 First thing Tuesday morning, we headed out for Far West.  About 30 miles north of Liberty, Missouri, the church found a brief haven from persecution.  Shortly after purchasing 1600 acres, a meeting was held by locals of Missouri.  During that meeting the anti-Mormons gave five reasons why they disliked the Saints. The reasons were:

1. They are poor
2. Their religious differences stir up prejudice
3. Their Eastern customs and dialects are alien to the Missiourians
4. They oppose slavery
5. They believe that the Indians are God’s chosen people destined to inherit the land of Missouri with them.

 After stating their reasons, it was then decided that the Mormons must leave.  But because they had already purchased the land, a compromise was reached.  Ray County was divided into two counties: Caldwell and Davies with a 3 mile buffer between the two where no one could settle. Caldwell was the Mormon's county.
A site was chosen for a city, and it was named Far West. The area was quickly settled, starting in 1836. Joseph officially mover to Far West in 1838 from Kirtland, Ohio.  It was here that several more revelations were given - namely D&C 113-115, 117-120.  These revelations included the correct name which to call the church, a command to build a temple and the law of tithing.

 This reprieve was again short lived as tension started to increase during the summer of 1838.  Parley P. Pratt said of this time "War clouds began again to lower with dark and threatening aspect. Those who had combined against the laws in the adjoining counties had long watched our increasing power and prosperity with jealousy and with greedy and avaricious eyes. It was a common boast that, as soon as we had completed our extensive improvements, and made a plentiful crop, they would drive us from the State, and once more enrich themselves with the spoils."

 By October, the tension erupted. Governor Boggs signed the infamous Extermination Order solely on rumors that the Mormons were planning an insurrection.  Leaders of the Church agreed to talk with militia, but instead of talking, the militia leaders arrested them and held an illegal court-marshal that sentenced the men to death in the morning. The sentence was never carried out, but Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Parley P. Pratt, and George W. Robinson were held as prisoners for five months. After the leaders were taken as prisoners, the militia entered Far West and took arms, robbed, raped, and arrested others. The Saints were harassed so much that they eventually left Missouri and took refuge in Illinois, even though it was the middle of winter.

The group!

One of the 4 cornerstones dedicated for the Far West temple.  This one - representative of the First Presidency.

Far West was by far one of the most incredible places to me on our visit.  The Spirit there was so strong!  It is truly hallowed and sacred ground even if the temple is still waiting to be built!  Also one of the scriptures quoted on the monument is the YM/YW theme for 2012 - "Arise and shine forth that thy light may be a standard for the nations" D&C 115:5.  It was truly wonderful when both McKenna and Garrett saw it and recognized it because they are familiar with it already!

Countryside at Far West

I always feel like my dad when I take a flower picture!

 After Far West we traveled via dirt roads to Haun's Mill.  About 20-30 families lived at the mill while 100 more lived in the area.  Following a battle at Crooked River between Mormons and mobs in October 1838, Joseph Smith counseled all members to move into Far West for their protection.  Those at Haun's Mill decided to stay and use the blacksmith shop in case of attack. 

 October 30, 1838, 240 men approached Haun’s Mill. Around 4:00 that afternoon the mobs arrived at Haun’s Mill. The women and children ran to the woods to escape. One woman, Amanda Smith, stated, “Yet though we were women, with tender children, in flight for our lives, the demons poured volley after volley to kill us”.  Amanda Smith was able to save her two daughters, but her ten-year-old son, who was in the blacksmith shop when the mob attacked, was killed, and her seven-year-old son (who witnessed his brother’s murder as well as his father’s), was badly wounded.  David Evans, who was the military leader for Haun’s Mill, yelled for peace as the mob arrived and waved his hat in the air, but his cries were in vain.  Seventeen Saints were killed in the attack and 13 were wounded, including Jacob Haun. Much later, the prophet Joseph Smith said, “at Haun’s Mill the brethren went contrary to my counsel; if they had not, their lives would have been spared". I feel that maybe this is why this site hasn't been developed like other church sites - the Saints here did not heed the counsel of the prophet and the consequence was terrible. 

The drive into Haun's Mill

Jason - Jeff's brother - telling the story of Haun's Mill.

Grandma and the girls!

 A few miles later we ate lunch in Gallitin and then a few miles after that, we arrived at Adam-Ondi-Ahman (the presence of God).  Joseph Smith revealed that this was the place that Adam lived after he was cast out of the Garden of Eden.   Rather than a specific spot, Adam-Ondi-Ahman refers to an area. 

  We know that Adam offered sacrifices and President Joseph Fielding Smith said that "of necessity the first sanctified temples were the mountaintops and secluded places in the wilderness. If we are correctly informed, Adam built his altar on a hill above the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman. At that place the Lord revealed to him the purpose of the fall and the mission of the Savior."  Joseph Smith had found an altar and showed the remains to many people. Heber C. Kimball said this of the site "The brethren of Caldwell went directly to Adam-ondi-Ahman, which is on the west fork of the Grand River.... The Prophet Joseph called upon Brother Brigham, myself and others, saying, "Brethren, come, go along with me, and I will show you something." He led us a short distance to a place where were the ruins of three alters built of stone, one above the other, and one standing a little back of the other, like unto the pulpits in the Kirtland Temple, representing the three grades of Priesthood; "There," said Joseph, "is the place where Adam offered up sacrifice after he was cast out of the garden." The altar stood at the highest point of the bluff. I went and examined the place several times while I remained there".

 Adam-ondi-Ahman will also be an important site during the events surrounding the Second Coming.  In D&C 116:1 we learn that Adam-Ondi-Ahman is the place "where Adam shall come to visit his people".  The righteous - both living and those who have died will gather here to meet Christ before the Second Coming (D&C 27:5-14). 

 A settlement was started here in 1838 for a short time before the Saints left Missouri under the Extermination Order. 

Another dirt road short cut (the advantages of having a Nebraskan as a tour guide!) to Hamilton.  Never mind if the sign says road closed - we forged ahead anyway!

Jamesport - an Amish or Mennonite community

 The whole time we traveled, Leighton would call out for the choo-choo's.   After passing over Leeper Creek our next stop was Hamilton, Missouri, Leighton finally got a treat up close and personal! 

 After quickly putting out several pennies, the kids were treated with their first real squished penny!

 McKenna and her cousins down by the Mississippi - all they really wanted to do was touch it so they could say they had!

 Needless to say - Hamilton was a wash out.  We got there around 6 pm and everything was closed up tight!  All the Mark Twain tourist attractions were more quiet than a ghost town!  So on we moved to Keokuk, Iowa - across the Mississippi from Nauvoo.  It was here that we spent our next night. 

 Addison made her own bouquet!  We were so impressed with all the green and flowers and life growing all around us!  Jeff was envious of all the free time the farmers had without having to irrigate their land!

Our tour was one day closer to our destination - Nauvoo Illinois!