Day 2 Kirtland Ohio

We had a pretty awesome day today! We started our day by getting ready to go to church in Ohio on the way to Kirtland. We attended a very interesting testimony meeting, and decided we are really going to miss the east simply for the wonderful and interesting church meetings we were able to attend. There is so much kindness and love for everyone no matter their past or present circumstances. It feels as if there is no judgement, just love. I'll miss it!

Our first stop before getting to Kirtland was the John Johnson home. It was a home where Joseph and Emma lived with the Johnson family, and finished translating the bible (corrected and added things that were lost). It was the very home where Joseph was dragged down the road and tarred and feathered. There is a special spirit where ever the prophet Joseph was. He sacrificed so much to do God's work and went through so much persecution.

A picture of our family in front of the John Johnson home (a senior sister missionary took it for us)

Next, we drove down the road a little ways to the city of Kirtland. We were able to take a tour with some sister missionaries from Utah, and learned about what happened there. It was amazing to see the places where the early Saints lived. We learned more of the great sacrifices to help build the kingdom of God on the earth. Everyone in our tour group loved watching Carter and interacting with him. Kirtland was a beautiful city.

Our tour of Kirtland went a little later, and we weren't sure if we would make it to the community of Christ visitors center for the Kirtland temple. We decided to go anyway to see some houses and walk the streets where leaders of the church walked. Our last stop was the community of Christ visitors center where a volunteer named Nancy was working on the grounds. After talking to her, she graciously offered to give us a quick private tour of the temple. She had been working since 7am, and with it being around 7pm we were so grateful to her and her willingness to work a little longer.

Us in front of the Newel Kirtland Whitney store

It was different seeing the temple and how neglected it seemed to be on the outside. The grounds looked a little rough and the spirit there was so different. In the inside it wasn't at all what I expected. It was more of a chapel where Sunday meetings were held, and where the saints went to learn about the gospel. The two stories were exactly the same, and the third floor was an office where we weren't able to go. Once we exited the temple, a couple of families had found their way over. We felt bad for Nancy, because that meant she wold stay longer for the families after us. I hope she didn't end up staying even longer.

The Kirtland temple 

Us in front of the temple

Our day ended in cleaveland where we made dinner and crashed in our hotel room. Tomorrow....more adventures!