More about Kirtland

Today we started by visiting the Kirtland sites owned by the church. We started by watching a video made by the church of this era. It was very good. Next we toured the schoolhouse and saw the river where many new members of the church were baptized including the Whitney’s. It was interesting to see the Newell K. Whitney store and to see the first bishop’s storehouse, which is a part of this store.

It was in an upper room of this store that the school of the prophets was held. The revelation on the Word of Wisdom was received in that same room.

Joseph and Emma lived in the Whitney store for an extended period of time after moving to Kirtland from the John Johnson farm. There was a good spirit in this store. The tour guide showed us the rooms where Joseph and Emma slept and where several of the early brethren stayed when they were visiting the prophet. There was a room on the 2nd level with a small bed. Oft times Joseph and Emma would give up their own beds and stay on the hard floor to make room for their guests.

The savior also appeared in the room (school of the prophets). I need to look this up in church history and find out more about it. We purchased a book on Kirtland’s history and now we will be very interested in reading it. After the store visit we walked across the street to the Whitney’s home. Joseph and Emma also lived with the Whitney’s in this home and many important revelations were received there. It was interesting to see the rooms and to learn of the history while touring. It was here that Emma gave birth to the twins, which died at birth. Later they adopted the Murdock twins whose mother had died during childbirth.

Joseph performed a miracle in this home by healing John Johnson’s wife there. I need to look that up in church history books.

Some of the other places we visited were the John Johnson Inn, the Ashrey, and the temple site again.

The Isaac Moorely (sp) farm was about 2 miles from the main group of buildings. It was interesting to visit there. The actual farm house is no longer there. We listened to a missionary presentation and walked up a small road to the site of where a schoolhouse had been. It was in this place that several revelations were given and the appearance of the savior also was again emphasized. If anything this trip has made me realize I need to learn more of the early history in the Kirtland area.

Also, we traveled to the Johnson farm. It was in an upper room of this farm that Joseph and Oliver received the revelation D&C 76. That is the revelation of the “streets paved as gold,” celestial families etc. Also my favorite scripture….and now after the many testimonies which have been given of him this is the testimony last of all which we give of him that he lives, for we saw him even on the right hand of God…..

There were between 12-15 brothers in the room when this revelation was received. Only Joseph and Oliver saw the revelation. Their countenances glowed around their immediate beings and the revelation lasted for many hours. They had been studying in the bible and prayed for clarification of a verse when the revelation was received. They also saw God the father. It was a very sacred place and there was a wonderful spirit there. It indeed was similar to a temple. This farm was about an hour drive from Kirtland. We almost didn’t go there, but I’m glad we did. It was my favorite place.


Lastly, this bedroom in the Johnson home was were Joseph and Emma lived for a year or so. The little bed under the main bed was for their twin sons. It was here that one night a mob burst into the home pulling Joseph from this bed and took him to a grove of trees and tarred and feathered him. It was a cold night and the draft exposed one of the babies to the elements and later the baby died.

From all of this I have grown to appreciate even more the prophet Joseph. I know he is a prophet of God and am thankful for him. This has been a good trip for us so far.