DAY 17 – July 15, 2012 – Kirtland, Ohio

We started the day going to church at the Kirtland Ward.  There were motorhomes lined up in the parking lot.  The poor Kirtland Ward was overrun by visitors.  They were all so sweet.  The church was filled through the chapel to the back of the gym with visitors.

While we were there we saw signs talking about the play they put on.  I have never heard of it before, and we were so bummed to find out we missed it by one day.  Apparently the Kirtland Stake puts on a play about Kirtland History.  This year it was done Friday and Saturday during the month of July.  And we missed it by a day!  Darn.  So when you are coming to Kirtland, time it to see their play.  The website is:  http://www.thisiskirtland.com/

At 11:30am the church Historical Sites are open on Sunday, which was a very nice way to spend our Sabbath.  We toured the Kirtland Ashery, Isaac Morley Farm, John Johnson Home, Johnson Inn Resource Center, Newel K. Whitney Store, Newel K. and Elizabeth Ann Whitney Home, Kirtland Sawmill, and the Kirtland Schoolhouse.  I won’t go into all the details involving Kirtland, but I think we all didn’t realize how significant Kirtland was.  Some very significant events happened here.  We knew quite a few of them, but there were some things we were amazed to learn.  Kirtland is a very special place.  It was an amazing day to spend our Sunday here.

After touring the Kirtland Visitor’s Center we drove up the hill to visit the Kirtland Temple.  It’s owned by the Community of Christ church.  What a monument the saints left.  They spent $40,000 to build their first temple.  With only 2000 members in Kirtland, my mind can’t even wrap around that cost (which is equivalent to $16 million…I think is what they said)!  What a sacrifice for those people.  I don’t think it’s possible to come to Nauvoo or Kirtland, and not have your testimony grow in the importance of temples.  Nobody sacrificed more than the Saints in Kirtland and Nauvoo to build temples once again on the earth.

After our tours, my sister’s brother-in-law and sister-in-law invited us to stay with them at their home.  Can you imagine taking 8 ragamuffins into your home that you’ve never met?  They are the sweetest family, and we have thoroughly enjoying the time we have spent with them.

I’m having too much fun with our new friends to stop and write much more.  But I will say, Ohio is so beautiful and green, and Kirtland is so incredible, it’s not a place that should be missed on any trip.

Summary of Day 17
Drove:  90
Places we Visited: the Kirtland Ward, Kirtland Ashery, Isaac Morley Farm, John Johnson Home, Johnson Inn Resource Center, Newel K. Whitney Store, Newel K. and Elizabeth Ann Whitney Home, Kirtland Sawmill, and the Kirtland Schoolhouse, Kirtland Temple, Mr and Mrs. F’s Home
Everyone’s favorite thing about Kirtland:
Jawbreaker: School of the Prophets
Spitz: Kirtland Temple
Bazooka:  Parley’s Wife’s Grave
Warhead: Whitney Store
Starburst: Cemetary
Fireball:  Staying at Mr. and Mrs. F’s Home
Mr. and Mrs. S: All of it!