The Missouri Period, from 1831-1839, was a harrowing moment in Mormon history. Mormons were pushed north from Independence to Far West and were eventually chased from the state in the middle of winter. We relived that history with the Flindt kids. Here is a map of Missouri and surrounding states, showing Mormon sites we visited on the trip (and a couple, like Lamoni, that we have yet to explore).
Our first stop was Liberty Jail, in Independence, Missouri.
Joseph was penned in an underground jail there for nine months, after he was arrested in Far West in November 1838. The jail was barely high enough for him to stand up.
We then drove north to Far West, where the pioneers built up a community of several thousand people from 1836 to 1838. They also laid the foundation for a temple.
A stake in Kansas was doing its YMYW pioneer trek, with the odd juxtaposition of handcarts, bonnets, long skirts, and plastic tubs!
We stopped by Gallatin, where Mormons and Gentiles brawled on election day in August, 1838, inciting the final struggle at Far West in November, 1838.
And we drove to Adam-ondi-Ahman, where Mormons believe that Father Adam will some day convene his people. It was a beautiful, green, serene valley.
We circled back to Richmond and stood by the monument to the Three Witnesses, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and David Whitmer. All three left the Church either for a while (Oliver and Martin) or forever (David), but they never denied their testimony of the Book of Mormon.
We searched through a nearby graveyard for David Whitmer's grave stone.
And we stopped by the Richmond Courthouse, with its huge statue of General Doniphan, who saved Joseph Smith's life. When the general who captured Joseph Smith at Far West said he would execute Joseph at dawn, Doniphan threatened to bring the general to justice if he did that.
We visited the Community of Christ (RLDS) temple in Independence.
We also visited the Temple Lot, where Mormons believe a temple will be built someday. We stopped, as the light was fading, at the beautifully landscaped and very informative LDS Visitors Center.
Next day, we ate beignets and shrimp etoufee at a cafe run by a New Orleans ex-pat living in Laramie, Wyoming. We then toured our last pioneer sites--Independence Rock and Martin's Cove. At Independence Rock the pioneers paused to rest and carve their name on the huge dome rising out of the prairie. They were doing well on their journey if they reached this monument by Independence Day, July 4. Most of the carved names have worn away, but the pictures from Google Images still preserve them!
We ordered sandwiches and smoothies and sat at picnic tables on the grass, surrounded by apple orchards.
We hiked a mile to the base of the Narrows.
We paused to talk with the Jagers, friends of Camille and Steve from Boston whom they met unexpectedly. We also checked out the squirrels. The whole Ebert family hiked across the first crossing of the Virgin River,
Steve and I took Ezra and Mia back to the trailhead soon after, where Ezra played happily among the rocks.
Dave, Camille, Emilie, Jono, Annalise, and Sophia trekked farther, to where the water was thigh high and moss grew on the red-rock walls.
Next day, we drove to Cedar City, where we found the Nellie Unthank statue on the University of Southern Utah campus. I told the kids about Nellie, a pioneer with the Willey handcart company, whose feet froze and were amputated. She moved to Cedar City, married, raised six children, and was a devoted church member her whole life despite her disability. We also stopped by a pavilion full of statues of distinguished scholars. Each child chose a favorite statue, from Socrates to Madam Curie to Shakespeare.
At Cedar Breaks, we savored the stunning views over the red rock canyon face.
We had a picnic near the canyon.
We then hiked the flowery fields to a mountain lake.
Dave, Camille, Mia, Ezra, and I brought up the rear, moving slowly so Ezra could blow on dandelions.
