John Johnson Home
Joseph Smith and his family moved to the home of John and Elsa Johnson in Hiram, Ohio, in September 1831. The Johnson's were recent converts to the Church and had become acquainted with the Prophet while in Kirtland.
During the year Joseph Smith stayed here, the Johnson home served as headquarters of the Church. Joseph received an outpouring of revelation within these walls, including a magnificent vision of the Father and the Son and the three degrees of glory. Several conferences were also held here. In November 1831, the conference voted to publish a Book of Commandments containing revelations received by the Prophet. The Lord confirmed His approval of this book, which eventually became the Doctrine and Covenants.
In March 1832, Joseph was attacked by a mob in the middle of the night and was tarred and feathered near the home. The next day, despite his injuries, Joseph preached as he often did to a large congregation gathered in front of the home and baptized three persons.
Eventually many of the Saints, including most of the Johnson family, left Hiram. The Church acquired the 160-acre Johnson Farm in 1956 and completely restored the home to its original condition in 2001.
2. Took the back roads to Kirkland. We say many beautiful homes on farmlands, haunted houses and barns and gorgeous greenery. We passed Amish homes and says boys dressed in period clothing plowing their field with horses.
3. Toured the Kirtland Temple.
Kirtland Temple
God commanded Joseph Smith in December 1832 to build a temple in Kirtland, Ohio. The Prophet and several others saw the Kirtland Temple in a vision, which provided its design. Construction began in June 1833, at a time of great poverty in the Church. Work slowed in 1834 because many brethren were absent with Zion's Camp. When they returned, Joseph Smith labored with others in the sandstone quarry, and vigorous efforts to build the temple resumed. Church members made enormous sacrifices to complete this "House of the Lord."
The Prophet Joseph dedicated the Kirtland Temple on March 27, 1836, repeating the ceremony several days later. Beginning in January and continuing past the dedication, many Church members witnessed heavenly manifestations during this glorious season, culminating in Jesus Christ's appearance to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to accept the temple.1 Moses, Elias, and Elijah also appeared to Joseph and Oliver to restore priesthood keys for the salvation of all mankind.
Most of the Saints moved away from Kirtland in 1838. The temple fell into disrepair, and its ownership was challenged. The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, now known as the Community of Christ, gained title to the building in 1880. They restored and beautified this sacred place and maintain it today as a historic site with guided tours.
My favorite picture!
4. Visited the Kirkland Visitor Center and watched a great movie about the Saints in Kirkland. Toured the Newel K. Whitney Store, Newel K. and Elizath Anne Whitney Home, the sawmill, and the ashery.
Newel K. Whitney Store
In the fall of 1832, Joseph Smith moved from Hiram, Ohio, back to Kirtland. Bishop Newel K. Whitney prepared an apartment for the Prophet's family in his store, and Joseph lived here until the winter of the following year. The Whitney Store served as headquarters for the Church during that time.
Many revelations now included in the Doctrine and Covenants were received by the Prophet in this place, including the Word of Wisdom, the oath and covenant of the priesthood, and the command to build a temple in Kirtland. Joseph also completed much of his inspired translation of the Bible here.
During the winter of 1832–33, the School of the Prophets was held in an upper room of the store. The school was organized to teach gospel doctrine and principles and to prepare members for ministry in the Church.1 On one sacred occasion, members of the school beheld a vision of God the Father and the Son.
The Church purchased the Whitney Store in the 1980's and restored it to its original condition in 1984. This historic site won a U.S. Presidential Award for Excellence in 1988.
Newel K. and Elizath Anne Whitney Home
Latter-day Saints began moving from New York to Kirtland, Ohio, in 1831. Joseph and Emma Smith arrived in February of that year. They were graciously invited to live in the home of Newel and Elizabeth Whitney and their five children, where they stayed for a few weeks.
Joseph healed Elsa Johnson's lame arm in the Whitney home. The Prophet also received important revelations here, including the Lord's confirmation of Joseph's prophetic calling, the law of the Church, and the office and duties of a bishop.
Here, Newel K. Whitney was called as the second bishop in the Church. A three-day "Feast for the Poor," many of them newly arrived Saints, was hosted in Bishop Whitney's home in January 1836. "The Prophet Joseph and his two Counselors [were] present each day, talking, blessing, and comforting the poor, by words of encouragement and their most welcome presence."1
The Church purchased the Whitney home in the early 1980s and restored it to its original condition in 2003.
5. Stayed with Marco and Jenny. That night, Jenny pulled out chocolate from Germany, Oreos, chips and cheese and bean dip for the kids. They had a hayday and proclaimed that it was THE. BEST. DAY. EVER!
6. Cameron felt crumby all day with a head cold. He had a fever through the night. It has been a long eight days of driving for him. For the record, I offered to drive but he said I drive too slow.
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