Kirtland

The Kirtland Temple was a highlight of our trip. The building and grounds are beautifully maintained and so peaceful. As the first temple built in modern times, it has a special significance.

Newell K. Whitney Store.

This table was the one item in the store that was believed to belong to Joseph Smith.

Joseph and Emma's room above the store.

The sawmill and ashery. The funds from these two businesses, owned by Newell K. Knight, were the main source of funding for the temple.

Learning how ash was turned into a valuable commodity was interesting. They sure were a resourceful people.

Newell K. Whitney home across from their store. The yellow paint color indicated that they were wealthy.

We were in Amish country and Curt really wanted to get a picture. I didn't want to just take a picture of some unsuspecting person. I couldn't remember if taking pictures was forbidden in their beliefs. I didn't think so, but wasn't sure. Anyway, the buggies lined up at the local Walmart was the best we could do.

John Johnson Home. This is the home where Joseph Smith was dragged out of in the middle of the night and tarred and feathered. One of his children died as a result of the exposure from the cold. When hearing this part of Church history, I'd always envisioned the home as a small log cabin.  Nothing is further from the truth. The Johnsons had a large family and were very prosperous. Their home reflects their prosperity. This home is large enough that it could be plopped down in the middle of my neighborhood and be one of the larger homes; with the large attached garage, it may even be too big!

This picture is from the internet. As surprised as I was by the size, I forgot to get a far away picture of the front of the home.

This was Joseph and Emma's room. The floor is painted like the original; remnants of what it used to look like were found in the corners. Sis. Johnson followed the latest trends in home decorating and the bold checkerboard pattern is painted on the floor. Both the paint colors and the time it would take to create it were an indication of the wealth they enjoyed.

The room where several sections of the Doctrine and Covenants were received by revelation.

This is the doorstep from which Joseph Smith preached the morning after he was tarred and feathered.

After 10 fun days it was time to go home. Here's Rachel and the belongings she wheeled across the nation and all over four states.

Barbara, our Utah chauffer and back-up live GPS, was coming to pick us up. Curbside service! She was so nice to drive us to the airport at the beginning of our trip and pick us up again and to be available with her computer when our GPS didn't make sense (seriously, New Jersey freeways are a beast!).

Yes, Krysta was well aware I was taking the picture and posed appropriately.

No matter how fun the trip, it's always good to be going home.

The End.