So This Is Kirtland

We began our Kirtland visit with a little picnic, which tuned into a tree climbing fest. Of course this is not the first for us.

Then we headed off to the tour. There we met Sis. Ellsworth and Neilson. They took us to the N.K. Whitney store where the plate conversation took place, but there were some other cool parts too. On the  store counter was a book with a list of names and purchase of those who had been through the store. It was cool to see our relatives in the book and what they had purchased. We noticed that many of those who latter apostatized had purchased things like wine, tobacco and whiskey. I wonder if that was a subtle warning to those with eyes to see.

 From here we see a few more houses and then end up at the saw mill built by Joel Hills Johnson (3rd great uncle). Amazing! He ran this mill off a creek. Seriously, a stream with just a few inches of water three feet wide. The mill was an unusual design and quite innovative and was a crucial factor in building the temple. The lumber for the temple just was not available for the structure without the mill.

I had this thought a few days latter as we were in the Smith homes in Palmyra: This all started in a log cabin. Then they built a frame house a few yards down the road from the cabin, then a town in Kirtland with 1st gen. temple, then beginnings of a city in Independence. Next a full blown city in Nauvoo and temple in only six years. Off to the Salt Lake valley for another city. Then north to Calgary and south to Mesa and the finally the whole earth...

So that is: Log Cabin; Frame Home; Town; City; Cities; World; and Kingdom when the Lord comes. When we give our lives to the Lord, no matter how humble our abilities or circumstances, buckle up! He can do with us as he pleases, and what he pleases is more than we can imagine.