Missouri Unfinished

 May 6th was the last day of our trip. We drove to Missouri and our first stop was at Haun's Mill, historically it is now believed to be Hawn's Mill.

 There are no markings there except the sign post and this stone. Saints were here when a mob came and killed somewhere between 15 and 17 Saints.

 Most the woman and children ran into the woods to hide. To me this was a tragic loss for no purpose.

 We did a complete 180 after Haun's Mill and went to Adam-Ondi-Ahman. This was my favorite part of the trip. This was the only place where we saw history, but more importantly future events will occur here and you can feel the spirit of that.

 There is no visitors center, just some restrooms and a couple of picnic tables. This area is known as Tower Hill and was named by Joseph Smith. We were given time to explore, ponder, and spend some time alone here. I truly recognized that the work is unfinished and that I am a part of the continued effort. The Lord's plan will roll forward with or without me and I felt a huge desire here to more proactively live my beliefs.

 There is no mission president at Adam-Ondi-Ahman. The First Presidency of the Church is the mission presidency. Members of the Seventy visit the area and talk to the 12 missionary couples every couple of months and return to report to the First Presidency.

 We ran into a couple who was serving there. I asked about their mission. They said that they maintain the grounds, work to improve the relationship with people in the community, and serve in a variety of other ways.

 We found four leaf clovers in Adam-Ondi-Ahman. I have never found one before and I kept the one I found there.

 We then went to Far West, Missouri. The corner stones of the temple are still placed there and it is interesting to see a place dedicated to a temple where a temple is yet to be.

 Our friend Emily Wilson parted ways with us when we went to Liberty Jail, so we had to take a picture of the whole group before she left.

 Liberty Jail is often referred to as a prison-temple. Joseph Smith was taught a great deal during a very challenging confinement for months here.

 This is the actual Liberty Jail key and the thickness of the walls of the prison.

 The door and windows left little to be desired and the winter weather made it painfully cold.

 Joseph and his brethren where held there from December 1838 - April 1839. The Saints were under an extermination order and were in the process of fleeing Missouri to Quincy, Illinois. There is no doubt that this was one of the most challenging times in the Prophet's life. Three important revelations were given here and are recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 121-123.

 Our final stop was Independence, Missouri. Here a temple is to be built as well. It is a strange location. There is an LDS Visitors Center, it is the headquarters of the Community of Christ Church and the Church of Christ. The sign above is provided by the Church of Christ explaining where the stones marking the temple plot were found. However, we thought this was a funny plaque because we did not know what the stone that was found was for, when we first saw it. Needless to say, it gave us the giggles!

 In the LDS Visitors Center I took a picture of the sister missionary and sent it to her mother. Just for fun.

My honest feeling in Missouri was a huge sense that the work is unfinished and so much more in Missouri, as well as the church generally, needs to be done. I feel so grateful to have the fire of the gospel light a blaze in my heart!