Thursday, August 26, 2010

Kirtland, Ohio...

Steve was able to take some time while away in Ohio for business and visit Kirtland, Ohio. He really enjoyed seeing and learning about this important place in our church's history. While it is not owned currently by the LDS Church it still holds significant value and importance to many of the things we still believe today. Joseph Smith received many personal revelations while the saints stayed in Kirtland, Ohio and spent time here translating the Bible and other church doctrine. I too have enjoyed learning about the places in the pictures he brought back and wanted to share them. I have copy and pasted some info from the church's website to give specific info about the places you see. I though it so enhanced the pictures to know things that took place there. I hope to some day get our whole family out that way to see it in person as well!

The saints began construction on this temple in 1833 and it was dedicated March 27, 1836. It is currently owned and maintained by the Community of Christ Church.



Across the street to the north of the Kirtland Temple is the Kirtland North Cemetery. In the 1830s it was known as the Kirtland Mills Burying Ground. In those days a Methodist meetinghouse stood on the southeast corner. It was the practice of members of the various congregations at the time to be buried near their churches. Among the earliest burials on record is Philo Ingersoll who died in 1827.

Early members of the Church also buried some of their dead there, including Jerusha Barden Smith, first wife of Hyrum Smith; and Mary Duty Smith, Joseph Smith's grandmother. Other well-known members include John Johnson, the parents of Newel K. Whitney; Oliver Cowdery's father and the parents of Isaac Morley.

LDS vistors center just down the road from the Kirtland Temple

Newel K. Whitney Store-Built in 1826 this general store was an important gathering place for the community. Whitney provided rooms inside for church meetings, offices and a home for Joseph Smith and his family during part of their stay in Kirtland, Ohio.



General Store-called as the second bishop of the LDS church Whitney used rooms in his store to organize goods to help the needy.



This was part of the prophets family's living quarters.

The Prophet Joseph Smith and his wife Emma lived in the Whitney store for about 18 months. And it was there that Joseph worked on translating the Bible. The Prophet also received numerous revelations in what is known as the Revelation Room above the store.



Next to the Revelation Room is the room where the School of the Prophets was held; it’s Adam Jones’s favorite place in Kirtland. Adam, 17, from the Stow Branch in Akron, Ohio, lives about an hour’s drive from Kirtland. “I really like the School of the Prophets Room,” he says. “I like the spirit there. There’s a peacefulness that testifies of what the Saints went through and what they accomplished in Kirtland to help the gospel go forward.”

Visiting the rooms where the Prophet taught the early missionaries and where he received so many important revelations—such as the oath and covenant of the priesthood (see D&C 84) and the Word of Wisdom (see D&C 89)—has strengthened Adam’s testimony of the Restoration. “Being here helps your faith and helps you understand about the history of the Church.”

Clark Haymond, 17, of the Solon Ward in Kirtland has a personal connection to the School of the Prophets Room. “I was able to be ordained to the priesthood there above the Whitney store,” he says. “It was really special because prophets studied there. It was a very spiritual and touching experience.”

This is where the Prophet Joseph Smith and his family slept while staying at the Whitney Store in Kirtland, Ohio.

The ashery was an important industry that helped the Saints raise funds to build the temple and other Church buildings. Consecrated to the Church by Newel Whitney, the ashery is where potash and pearlash were made. Both of these ingredients were used in making items such as soap, paper, gunpowder, cloth, and glass.

Beautiful scenery all around it!

Dad's trip to Ohio made for beautiful pictures...












Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Lots of NEW posts!

Well I am finally caught up on posting-mostly. My nice Nikon camera needs to go back to the shop AGAIN so we have been having to use our blackberry phone cameras for pictures which is convenient but the quality is not so great. I am glad to have these events documented but can't wait for a real camera again! Enjoy!

Chase is too darn cute!





I just love that boy! Could he be any more adorable!

Our First family Dodger Game...













We were so lucky and scored 4 free tickets and free preferred parking to a Dodgers game last week from one of Steve's old friends he knew in his single days in the singles ward at church. The boys were so excited to go and asked all day if it was time to go yet so mom was happy when 5 pm came around and I could finally say "YES!" Shane was all smiles and Chase was really into the plays in the game and they especially loved that it was "bobblehead night" so we came home with 4 Matt Kemp bobbleheads-2 of which are still in their packaging and in one piece LOL! We all had a blast and now they say its time for an Angels game next! I kinda think so too!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Castaic Lake Trip

Some friends invited us out on their boat at Castaic Lake a few weekends back and it was so much fun. Chase wasn't too sure he liked going fast on the water but once we anchored in a cove and they could swim around and play on the inflatable monster truck and enjoy lunch and exploring he loved it. Shane loved everything about the lake-the water, the speed, the swimming and of course the food! Fun was had by all and we were wiped out by the end of the day and have many fun memories we talk about often!

Chase climbin back in the boat!

Shane and Riley riding in the monster truck-Shane loved going fast!

Shane swimming around!

Our friend Marin-love her!

Chase enjoyed swimming all over-he did great for a 3 year old!