Nauvoo Dream: Week #19, 17

This has been quite the week being on break for two weeks. We were to church on Sunday and then off for travel and adventure on Monday. We drove to St. Louis, MO and attended the temple Tuesday morning. We were surprised when we walked into the chapel and there sat Brother and Sister Carmichael, district workers from the Nauvoo temple. We had just worked with them on Saturday and were happy to see each other so soon. It was neat to be at a new temple for us and feel the spirit we always feel temples.

We headed on to Rolla, MO for lunch with Bill & Joyce Bolerjack. They moved there two weeks ago to be closer to their daughter Trisha and her family. We had the best time checking out their apartment and then going to eat. We caught up with what each of us are doing and wished them well with their new change.

We stopped in Clinton, MO to visit Aunt Naomi. We had tried to call her several times the day before and then after the temple and as we traveled but the line was always busy. We arrived at their house to find no one home and two day's of newspapers on their doorstep. We were sad we did not see them. Driving through the Lake of the Ozarks, we went through the town of Warsaw. Croslin ancestors lived there at one time.

We arrived at Kansas City, MO, found a hotel and a place to eat, and settled in for the night. We had a great meal at the Corner Cafe and really enjoyed one of their gigantic cinnamon rolls. We went to the temple the next morning and enjoyed the session. Did we see anyone we knew? No, but we did meet people who know others we serve with in Nauvoo.

Kansas City, MO Temple.

From the temple we began a church history tour of western Missouri. We went to the Visitor's Center in Independence and then walked the temple lot and visited with a man in the Church of Christ center. It was great to learn more of their history and that of the temple site. He said several years ago our church offered $1,000,000.00 for the temple site but they turned us down. They want to keep the site free from being built on.

The site was dedicated by Joseph Smith, 3 August 1831.

The 90' by 180' dimensions of the Independence Temple are shown by persons on the perimeter.

The spot for the Independence Temple is in the center with the Church of Christ adjoining. Community of Christ Stone Church at lower left. Then clockwise: Community of Christ Temple. Mormon Visitors center and Community of Christ auditorium.

At right is northeast corner marker for projected temple. It was 40 feet west of corner. The other stone found 90 feet south, in roots of tree, indicates southeast corner of temple. Original inscriptions.

We drove to Liberty Jail. It is a sacred place as you realize the prophet received revelations while there, revelations that are so important to us in living the gospel today. We continued with going to Far West, the monument to Haun's Mill, Adam-Ondi-Ahman, and a stop at the Missouri Star Quilt Co. in Hamilton. We had a great time and learned more about these sites and the history of the early church. The quilt company was a bonus and fun for me.

The jail is a replica of the original jail built on the original foundation and is constructed out of some of the stones of the original jail.

The church has produced this map that was very helpful in our travels to the different spots.

I was amazed at how many quilt stores are in this little town. All the black ones belong to Missouri Star and I shopped at #1.

You would think we had traveled enough, but we got home late Wednesday night, washed clothes on Thursday, and were back on the road Friday. We headed to Shawn's near Green Bay, WI. We had a safe trip and a great weekend with the family. These boys have grown and are as busy as can be. We have been schooled in Spoons, Go Fish, Crazy Kings, football, pool and other such youth entertainment. We went out to eat, saw the movie Boss Baby, and enjoyed plenty of blue skies and sunshine. We enjoyed church and hearing Bailey give a talk in Primary. Riley blessed and Hayden passed the Sacrament.