Kirtland

This past weekend we took our little family on a trip to Kirtland, Ohio. We had a wonderful time. I believe this is our third family trip to Kirtland. We just love going there. The church has done such an amazing job restoring significant historical sites for members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It seems that every time we go we learn or experience something new. The spirit is so strong there.

The excitement began when the day prior to our departure Kevin & I decided (along with Mom -- her boss finally gave her the day off) to surprise the kids with a trip to Kirtland. We made all the preparations the night before while the kids were sleeping. It was so exciting to think the entire trip would be a surprise. Kevin made a delicious french toast breakfast for us to enjoy before we left. At breakfast Kevin announced that the entire family would be accompanying him to "work" that day. (Little did the kids know that Kevin had classified the 4 hour drive to Kirtland as work for the day.) They were a bit unsure why this was necessary but they complied with our instructions to dress and prepare for the day. As we all piled into the car I was relieved that no one noticed the luggage and cooler I had packed the night before. We were nearly 45 mins. north of home before Elizabeth made a guess at where we were headed. The excitement increased when we checked into a hotel for our one-night two-day stay. For our kids hotel = swimming pool, so you can imagine how excited they were.

We then ventured into Kirtland for our first stop...the Kirtland Temple. We were very surprised when we arrived at the Kirtland Temple visitor's center (where the Temple tours begin). Apparently the Church of Christ dedicated the new Kirtland Temple visitor's center in June of last year. The new center is easily 5 times larger than the previous one. It houses a mini-museum about the Temple (lots of interactive things for the kids to do -- like dress up in pioneer clothes), a new Theater for viewing a short 20 mins. film about the Kirtland Temple, a small gift shop, and other offices and so forth for the Church of Christ. It is a very nice facility that definitely adds to the experience of visiting the Kirtland Temple.

After the Temple we moved onto Historic Kirtland which is owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Talk about amazing. We began our tour in the visitor's center and then proceeded to the Newel K. and Elizabeth Ann Whitney home, the Newel K. Whitney store, the John Johnson Inn, the sawmill and the ashery. We had a wonderful experience. We are so thankful the couple missionaries that volunteer their time and talents to provide interesting and uplifting histories about the people and places of Kirtland.

After an evening of swimming on Friday, we stopped by Lake Erie on Saturday morning before heading to the John Johnson Farm. We were surprised when we arrived at a very frozen great lake. Needless to say, it was very cold Saturday morning, but that didn't stop Kevin and the kids from walking down to the water's edge to throw in a few rocks. They all bounced off the surface -- WOW!

We then went to the John Johnson Farm -- personally, this is my favorite part of the Kirtland "experience". The Johnson home was restored and dedicated in the fall of 2001 by President Hinckley. To me, it is absolutely beautiful. So many wonderful things happened at this home. Many marvelous revelations were received here including the vision of the three degrees of glory. Both the Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith here. It is truly a hallowed place. Much suffering was endured here as well. It was here that an angry mob carried the prophet Joseph out in the cold night air to beat, tar and feather him after trying to poison him to death. Joseph had already spent several sleepless nights alongside his wife Emma, as they cared for infant twins that had contracted the measles. As a result of that vicious attempt on Joseph's life, baby Joseph was so effected by the night air that he died 6 days later. Such sorrow! The Johnson Farm is an amazing place to visit.

Now we are home and back to the regular rat race of life. I'm glad that we could visit Kirtland this past weekend to take a few hours to remember and reflect on those who have gone before us. It really helps put life back into focus.