Missouri Church History Sites

Independence


Visitor's Center

There are few places on earth where the contrast between truth and error is so evident that it can be both seen and felt. One such place is Kirtland, OH. Independence, MO is another. One group clearly gets it. The others simply do not, and it is very evident. They have (or had) a little kernel of truth and they cling tightly to it, but don't have any real appreciation for what such a tiny little morsel it is in comparison to the feast they could be partaking of.






Liberty Jail





Visiting Joseph's Jail Temple is a sobering experience, yet not nearly so as was Carthage. Having read about the deplorable conditions in the Richmond jail where they were held prior to being interred here, and then to see the awful conditions they were forced to endure for the winter, the coldest on record, is heart rending. Knowing all that Joseph suffered and to have him always cheerful and ready to help anyone in need is a testament to the greatness of his soul and the sure knowledge he had of the truth of the work he was engaged in.

Far West








Just like in Independence, only much more so, Far West seems to be just waiting for all the promises made there to be fulfilled. It is a sleepy little farming community, not really even a community - just a few farms, the temple lot, and another small church. I suppose were it not for the Church and its influence drawing visitors there to see the temple lot, even the name would have been forgotten by now. It is hard to imagine a community of over 5000 - all vestiges have now disappeared save the cornerstones. It is even harder to imagine what it will one day look like in the future!

Haun's Mill




Haun's Mill is a haunting reminder of man's inhumanity to man. Looking at it today, you would never imagine a thriving community. The exterminating order did not just drive the Mormons from the state of Missouri, it also exterminated all trace of them. But for the small broken stone plaque, there is nothing to mark the place. It reminds me of Isaiah 34 and the description of Idumea, or the world, following the destruction of the wicked. It is a sober, thought provoking place for me.

Adam-ondi-Ahman






Adam-ondi-Ahman is the one site here that is not melancholy to me. It represents both the past and the future. D&C107:53-56, 116:1, and Daniel 7:13-14, 22:

"Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah, who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing.
"And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel.
"And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him: I have set thee to be at the head; a multitude of nations shall come of thee, and thou art a prince over them forever.
"And Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation; and, notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being full of the Holy Ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation."

"Spring Hill is named by the Lord Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet."

"I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
"And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom."



Isn't she pretty? One of my new favorite photos.