LDS Church buys property including Haun's Mill and Far West burial ground

[Traveler]

I have been moved by some posts in this thread. I have been to many historic places of the restoration – often in my travels associated with work. In Vermont not far from the church property of Joseph’s birth is a country store where Joseph Sr. and Lucie met. The country store is still in operation (not by the church) and not much has changed – it is still heated in winter by an old pot belly stove what was there long ago when the Smith’s met for the very first time.

But the place that has most moved me the most is the cemetery lot by the temple and visitors center at Winter Quarters in Florence Nebraska (not owned by the church but the church maintains it). Very few graves are marked but there is a large monument with the data on some of the saints buried there. For several weeks I was returning home through the airport at Omaha – I took extra time to spend some hours at Winter Quarters. I was reading through the names and information when I was hit by the startling reality that often names were quite similar and in pairs. The number of such pairs was overwhelming – then I realized that that names were mothers and new born babies – most within days of birth. One in every five persons at Winter Quarters that first winter died. The vast majority of which were obviously young mothers and their babies. I had never realized before the great cost of innocence paid for Zion and the settlement of the West. I have suffered some – but nothing like the saints at Winter Quarters – especially those that went on to Utah – among who was one of my ancestors that left behind his wife and two children at Winter Quarter.

The Traveler

[KirtlandSaintinZion]

I look forward to seeing what your church does with Haun's Mill. You do such great work restoring historical sites for all believers in the Restoration to enjoy.

[Hala401]

Originally Posted by KirtlandSaintinZion

I look forward to seeing what your church does with Haun's Mill. You do such great work restoring historical sites for all believers in the Restoration to enjoy.

I started my experience with the LDS at Kirtland Visitor's Center, with Sister Missionaries and attended Kirtland Stake Center from March of 2011 until June of 2011, so I have some familiarity with the area. So, can you tell me where Haun's Mill is in relationship to the Visitor's Center? I am waiting with bated breath for our church to purchase the original Temple.

[Vort]

Haun's Mill is in Missouri.

[KirtlandSaintinZion]

Originally Posted by Hala401

I started my experience with the LDS at Kirtland Visitor's Center, with Sister Missionaries and attended Kirtland Stake Center from March of 2011 until June of 2011, so I have some familiarity with the area. So, can you tell me where Haun's Mill is in relationship to the Visitor's Center? I am waiting with bated breath for our church to purchase the original Temple.

Haun's Mill massacre - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

***BTW, I am not from Kirtland. I chose the name "Kirtland Saint" because the teachings of the church in the Kirtland era best represent my own beliefs.

[Hala401]

Originally Posted by KirtlandSaintinZion

Haun's Mill massacre - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

***BTW, I am not from Kirtland. I chose the name "Kirtland Saint" because the teachings of the church in the Kirtland era best represent my own beliefs.

I will have to say that I am almost a dripping wet Mormon, so do not know as much of the back story as I would like to. Can you explain some of the salient points of the differences in our beliefs from that time to today? We don't really need to talk about Polygamy unless you deem it important.

[KirtlandSaintinZion]

Originally Posted by Hala401

I will have to say that I am almost a dripping wet Mormon, so do not know as much of the back story as I would like to. Can you explain some of the salient points of the differences in our beliefs from that time to today? We don't really need to talk about Polygamy unless you deem it important.

I have made it a point to not discuss polygamy. You guys say it OK at times. I don't. 'Nuff said...

One difference would be Temple rites. I, personally, believe the washings and annointings done at Kirtland are correct and will be re-instituted when the Temple in Zion in built.

I believe, as the "Lectures on Faith" teach, that Heavenly Father is a a personage of perfect Spirit, and Jesus is a personage of perfect tabernacle (flesh).

The main differences are ideas advanced in Nauvoo vs. prior church teachings.

[Hala401]

Originally Posted by KirtlandSaintinZion

I have made it a point to not discuss polygamy. You guys say it OK at times. I don't. 'Nuff said...

One difference would be Temple rites. I, personally, believe the washings and annointings done at Kirtland are correct and will be re-instituted when the Temple in Zion in built.

I believe, as the "Lectures on Faith" teach, that Heavenly Father is a a personage of perfect Spirit, and Jesus is a personage of perfect tabernacle (flesh).

The main differences are ideas advanced in Nauvoo vs. prior church teachings.

These are all doctrinal matters that I have not been taught. I will learn them as I am able and Heavenly Father permits.

I'm pretty jaded concerning religion. I just had not seen people who did not preach exclusivity and exclusionary ways. Some of these people are puffed up at their own importance and neglect the very words of Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ. I am convinced that people come up with complicated and hard to follow secret rules for the purpose of avoiding doing what Jesus Christ told us to do.

After I left the evangelical church, I fully expected that their hell would freeze over before I ever addressed the Jesus issue again. I became Muslim and in spite of the fact that Muslims and myself are as flawed as anyone else in the world, I knew that I loved God and him I would worship until I died and I hoped he would hasten the day.

Then I ran into Missionary Sisters in Kirtland and I tell you plainly that the day I found that I would eventually have to meet with Elders, that was nearly a deal breaker for me. Yet Heavenly Father's unfailing love expressed through those sisters eventually wore me down because I now believed that our church was the first one I had ever seen that tried as hard as it could to teach what Heavenly Father wanted, the words of Jesus Christ, the crucifiction, and him risen. There was kindness in that church that I had never experienced in my life.

I don't judge our church on past doctrines. I judge our church by who we are today and how we handle things about us right now. That is all that is important.

[KirtlandSaintinZion]

I am glad you have found a place to belong in the LDS Church. It makes my heart leap for joy that you now have the Book of Mormon in your life. Its value is beyond compare in understanding the love that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for each of us. May you be blessed as you study its words and in your journey in the LDS Church. Hopefully, I will get to meet you in Zion someday.