Shelley Beatty

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Liberty Jail…Young Women’s Activity

July 13, 2014 by shelley

Liberty Jail…Young Women’s Activity

For our Mutual Activity we went to Liberty Jail, where Joseph Smith was imprisoned over the winter of 1838-39.

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

Liberty Jail

In 1833 a small jail was constructed in Liberty, the seat of Clay County, Missouri. In 1856 the building was abandoned. After a short tenure as an ice house, it fell into disrepair and was finally demolished near the turn of the century. Today, thousands of Latter-day Saints and other tourists visit the partially reconstructed jail and view it as what the LDS historian B. H. Roberts called a “prison temple” because of a notable prisoner it housed: the Prophet Joseph Smith languished within its four-foot-thick walls from December 1, 1838 until April 6, 1839. Sharing this incarceration were his brother Hyrum (see Smith, Hyrum), who served as his second counselor in the presidency of the Church; Sidney Rigdon, his first counselor; and three other brethren-Lyman Wight, Alexander McRae, and Caleb Baldwin.

They were held on a variety of unsubstantiated charges stemming from the “Mormon War” (see Missouri Conflict), which had culminated in their betrayal and the fall of the LDS settlement of Far West, Missouri, a few weeks earlier. As they awaited trial, they suffered severe privation. Confined to the lower level or dungeon portion of the building, they slept on the straw-strewn stone floor with little light and scant protection from the Missouri winter. Alexander McRae described the food they were served as “very coarse, and so filthy that we could not eat it until we were driven to it by hunger” (CHC 1:521). He also recorded that several attempts were made to poison them.

Notwithstanding these trying physical conditions, Joseph Smith’s greater suffering seemed to come from his anguish for the thousands of Latter-day Saints, including his own family, who were being driven from the state under the executive order of Governor Lilburn W. Boggs calling for the extermination of the Mormons (see Extermination Order). In a very long, two-part letter to the Church, written between March 20 and March 25, Joseph cried out, “O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place? How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries? Yea, O Lord, how long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppressions?” (D&C 121:1-3).

In answer, he was told to be of good cheer: “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes” (D&C 121:7-8). Some of Joseph Smith’s most sublime writings are found in this letter. The counsel of the Lord concerning the proper exercise of priesthood authority (D&C 121:33-46) is among the most quoted latter-day scripture. Excerpts from the letter make up sections 121, 122, and 123 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

In early April 1839, the prisoners were moved to Daviess County for trial; and then while being taken to Columbia, Boone County, on yet another change of venue, they learned from their captors that, for a variety of reasons, it would be agreeable to the officials if they would escape. With the aid of their guards, the prisoners hastened to join the exiled Latter-day Saints who were gathering in western Illinois.

KANSAS CITY FIRST WARD YOUNG WOMEN

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Kansas City First Ward Young Women

Filed Under: Church, Missouri Church History Tagged With: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Clay County, Joseph Smith, Liberty Jail, Missouri Church History

Far West, Missouri and the 24th of July

July 25, 2013 by shelley

For the past few years I have been in Salt Lake City on the 24th of July and enjoyed celebrating Pioneer Day in the traditional “Utah” way…parade, floats, fireworks, horses and marching bands.  This year however, I was not in Salt Lake City on Pioneer Day.  But we did plan a Mutual Activity to Far West, an early Mormon Settlement in 1838 and a site dedicated for a temple. Revelations for seven sections of the Doctrine & Covenants was received in Far West.  There is very little there today but it was exciting to be there on Pioneer Day and remember all the early Saints that were in that very spot about 175 years ago…and it was a gorgeous beautiful evening.

We brought a picnic dinner and enjoyed the evening:

KC 1 at Far West

KC 1 at Far West

KC 1 at Far West

KC 1 at Far West

KC 1 at Far West

KC 1 at Far West

KC 1 at Far West

KC 1 at Far West

KC 1 at Far West

KC 1 at Far West

KC 1 at Far West

KC 1 at Far West

 

We learned a little of the history of Far West.

The town was founded by Missouri Mormon leaders, W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer in August 1836 shortly before the county’s creation. The town was platted originally as a 1-mile (1.6 km) square area, centered on a public square which was to house a temple. The design of the town resembled Mormon founder and prophet Joseph Smith Jr.‘s plan for the City of Zion, which had been planned to be built in the town of Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. As the town of Far West grew, the plat was extended to 4 square miles (10 km2).

Early Latter-day Saints began to settle in northwestern Missouri soon after the Church of Christ was organized in 1830. According to a revelation given by Joseph Smith Jr., Independence would be the “centerplace” of the City of Zion when Jesus returned. However, disputes between Mormon and Missourian settlers in Independence led to the expulsion of the Mormons from Jackson County in 1833. Most Mormons temporarily settled in Clay County, Missouri. Towards the end of 1836, Caldwell County was created specifically for Mormon settlement to recompense Mormon losses in Jackson County. Shortly after the creation of Caldwell County, Far West was made the county seat.

Far West became the headquarters of the Latter-day Saint movement in early 1838 when Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon relocated to the town from the previous church headquarters, Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith taught the Latter-day Saints that the Garden of Eden had been in Jackson County and whenAdam and Eve were expelled from the Garden, they moved to the Caldwell County and Daviess County areas of Missouri. While headquartered in Far West, the official name of the church was changed from Church of Jesus Christ to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

New problems erupted between the Mormons and their neighbors when the Mormons began to settle in the counties surrounding Caldwell, including De Witt in Carroll County and Adam-ondi-Ahman inDaviess County. A series of escalating conflicts followed and the Governor of Missouri eventually called out 2,500 state militiamen to put down what he alleged to be a “Mormon rebellion.” Latter Day Saints poured into Far West for protection and found themselves under siege. Joseph Smith Jr., Sidney Rigdon and others surrendered at the end of October, 1838, and were put on trial by the state for treason. The main body of the Mormons were then forced to sign over their property in Far West and Caldwell County to pay for the militia muster and then leave the state. The main body later settled inNauvoo, Illinois.

Far West became a ghost town soon after the departure of most of the Mormon population. The county seat was moved to Kingston, Missouri and many of the log houses in Far West were relocated. Former Mormon John Whitmer continued to live in the nearly empty town, where he owned a large farm.

Today Far West is a historic site seven miles (11.26 km) south of U.S. Highway 36 on State Route D. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintsmaintains a historic site there, including the cornerstones of the planned temple. Some Latter Day Saints expect that a temple will be located on this spot at some time in the future. The Community of Christ, formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, has a branch congregation that meets in Far West.

On May 2012, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints confirmed that it purchased 6,000 acres of Missouri farmland and three historical sites from the Community of Christ.

Far West Missouri:

Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri
Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri
Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri

Flowers, Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri
Flowers, Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri
Temple Cornerstone SW Corner

Temple Cornerstone SW Corner
Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri
Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri

Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri
Temple Cornerstone SE corner, Far West, Missouri
Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri

Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri
Temple Cornerstone SE corner, Far West, Missouri
Temple Cornerstone SE corner, Far West, Missouri

Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri
Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri
Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri

Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri
Flowers, Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri
Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri

Temple Cornerstone NE corner, Far West, Missouri
Temple Cornerstone NE corner, Far West, Missouri
Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri

Flowers at Far West
Temple Lot, Far West, Missouri
Temple Cornerstone NW corner, Far West, Missouri

Temple Cornerstone NW corner, Far West, Missouri

 

Filed Under: Church, Events, Holidays, Missouri Church History, Pioneer Day, Young Women Tagged With: celebration, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, dedicated site, early saints, Emma Smith, Far West, Joseph Smith, July 24th, LDS, Missouri, Mormon, pioneer day, pioneers, temple, temple site

Missouri Mormon History Vignettes.

May 7, 2012 by shelley

The early history of the LDS church in Missouri is a harsh chapter.  But as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day  living in the Kansas City area it is a heritage that one can be proud of the strength and courage of these early saints.  It is also a treat to live  so close to the early historical sites; Independence, Liberty, Far West, Gallatin, Richmond and Adam-ondi-ahman just to name a few.

A couple of years ago as part of my calling in the Stake Young Women’s Presidency we had a youth conference which focused on these historical areas and the history of the early saints in the area.  I was charged with the assignment of presenting some short vignettes to the youth recreating some key moments in the early church history in Missouri.  Interestingly enough we were forced to move the Youth Conference back to the Stake Center in Olathe as a fierce thunder, hail storm with tornado warnings had the authorities telling us to leave the area immediately.  (The storm that stopped the Missourians from attacking Zion’s Camp must have been similar.)

Since that Youth Conference other stakes have requested the vignettes so they might use them as they visited the Missouri Church history sites.  Their purpose, of course, was to familiarize the audience with key events in Missouri Church history.

Please let me know if you use these vignettes!

The events portrayed in these vignettes occurred during the early history of the church in Missouri.  The setting is the 1830’s.  The characters in each vignette are real people, except for the fictional characters “Rath” and “Vern” (Missourians) and the Narrator, Elijah Andrews (an Eastern reporter).  These characters are created and used in telling the story of the early saints in Missouri.  All the remaining characters are actual people portrayed in their correct historical setting. Actual names are used, with actual quotes by these people are in boldface type.  There are six vignettes.

Vignette One

Historical Synopsis:  Sisters, Mary Elizabeth (15 years old) and Caroline Rollins (13 years old) live in Independence, Missouri in 1833.  These young women are witnesses as an angry mob destroys the home and printing press of William W. Phelps.  W. W. Phelps is working on publishing the Book of Commandments for the Saints when the attack occurs.  The mobs are determined to destroy the home of W.W. Phelps and everything in it including the valuable printing press.  The mobs also want to destroy the printed pages of the Book of Commandments.  The newly printed pages of the Book of Commandments are saved by the heroic actions of Mary Elizabeth and Caroline Rollins in the face of formidable danger to themselves.  Copy of vignette one (pdf).   Copy of vignette one (doc).  (It will appear in your download folder.)

 

Vignette Two

Historical Synopsis:  In 1836, two counties are created for the Mormons in Missouri, Clay and Caldwell counties.  By 1838, Far West in Caldwell County has become the headquarters of the church.  The Prophet Joseph Smith has left Kirtland, Ohio and has settled in Far West.  More Mormons are arriving daily.  At the 1838 Fourth of July Celebration Sidney Rigdon, as a spokesman for the First Presidency, gives an oration.   Many historians have felt Rigdon’s speech may have contributed to the growing difficulties between the Saints and the Missourians.  Copy of Vignette Two (pdf). Copy of Vignette Two (doc). (It will appear in your download folder.)

Sidney Rigdon

Vignette Three

Historical Synopsis:  The Gallatin Election Day Battle was a skirmish between Mormon and non-Mormon settlers.  Two major candidates for office, Colonel William Peniston and Judge Josiah Morin visited Adam-ondi-Ahman to court the Mormon vote.  Afterward, Peniston decided that the Mormons planned to vote as a bloc for his opponent and conspired to prevent them from voting, by force if necessary.  When Election Day arrived, Peniston made a speech in Gallatin to stir up the crowd against allowing the Mormons to vote.  When about 30 Latter Day Saints approached the polling place approximately 200 non-Mormons forcibly attempted to prevent the Mormons from voting and a brawl ensued. Although vastly outnumbered, the Mormons held their own and drove away their attackers. Copy of vignette three (pdf).  Copy of vignette three (doc). (It will appear in your download folder.)

Vignette Four

Historical Synopsis:  Tension between the Mormons and Missourians increases to the point Governor Boggs of Missouri calls out militias to patrol the Mormons. Rumors reach Far West that Mormon prisoners have been taken by a mob of vigilantes from Ray County.  An armed party quickly assembles to rescue these prisoners.  When the Mormons arrive on the scene, the state militia unit is camped along Crooked River.  The Mormons divide into three columns led by David W. Patten (an apostle), Charles C. Rich and James Durphee.  The Missourians have the advantage of position and fire, but the Mormons continue to advance.  This causes the state militia to break ranks and flee across the river.  Although Mormons win the battle, they take heavier casualties than the Missourians.  The Mormons lose one during the battle and nine are wounded, one mortally.  Apostle, David W. Patten is wounded and soon after the battle dies from his wounds.   Tensions continue to increase between the Mormons and Missourians resulting in an executive order being issued on October 27, 1838 by Missouri governor Lilburn Boggs.  The order is in response to what Boggs terms “open and avowed defiance of the laws”.  This order is an order of extermination.  The order remains on the law books of Missouri until formally rescinded in 1976. Copy of Vignette Four (pdf).  Copy of Vignette Four (doc).  (It will appear in your download folder.)

The Extermination Order of Governor Boggs.

 

Vignette Five

Historical Synopsis:  On October 30, 1838, the bloodiest event in the 1838 Mormon War in Missouri occurs.  It happens on the banks of Shoal Creek in Caldwell County, Missouri, near a mill that was established by the Haun family.  Approximately 30 Mormon families live in the immediate vicinity of Haun’s Mill and the blacksmith shop.  About 4:00 p.m. on this infamous day a militia of 240 men ride into the settlement of Haun’s Mill.  David Evans, a leader in the community, runs towards the militia, waving his hat and calling for peace.  Alerted to the militia’s approach, most of the Latter-day Saint women and children flee into the woods to the south, while most of the men head into the blacksmith shop.  Unfortunately, the building is a particularly vulnerable structure as the widely spaced logs make it easy for the attackers to fire inside.  The shop becomes a deathtrap, since the militia gives no quarter, firing about one hundred rifle and musket shots into the building. After the initial attack, several of those who are wounded or have surrendered are shot dead. Members of the militia enter the blacksmith shop and find ten-year-old Sardius Smith hiding under the blacksmith’s bellows. William Reynolds puts his musket against the boy’s skull and blows off the top of his head. Reynolds later explains, “Nits will make lice, and if he had lived he would have become a Mormon.”  Seventy-eight year old Thomas McBride surrenders his musket to militiaman Jacob Rogers, who then shoots McBride and hacks his body apart with a corn knife. Several other bodies are mutilated and clothing stolen, while many women are assaulted. Houses are robbed, wagons, tents and clothing are stolen, and horses and livestock are driven off, leaving the surviving women and children destitute.  By the end of the skirmish seventeen Mormons are dead: Hiram Abbott, Elias Benner, John Byers, Alexander Campbell, Simon Cox, Josiah Fuller, Austin Hammer, John Lee, Benjamin Lewis, Thomas McBride (78), Charley Merrick (9), Levi Merrick, William Napier, George S. Richards, Sardius Smith (10), Warren Smith, and John York. Thirteen more have been injured, including a woman and nine-year-old child. A non-Mormon sympathizer is also killed. Three of the 250 militiamen are wounded, but none fatally. After the massacre, the dead are placed in an unfinished well and are covered with dirt and straw. The survivors and their wounded gather at Far West for protection.  Although participants in the massacre boast of their acts for years, none of the Missouri attackers are ever brought to trial.  Copy of Vignette Five (pdf).  Copy of Vignette Five (doc).  (It will appear in your download folder.)

Haun's Mill Massacre 1838.

Vignette Six

 

Historical Synopsis:  Far West becomes the focal point as anti-Mormon militias gather around Far West to prepare for an attack.  The Saints in Far West are out-numbered five to one.  They barricade the city with wagons and timber around the perimeter in an attempt to protect themselves. Neither side is eager to begin the battle.  On October 31, 1838 General Lucas for the Missourians sends out a flag of truce, which is met by the leading officer for the Saints, Colonel Hinkle.  Colonel Hinkle secretly and subversively agrees to all of the demands made by General Lucas including surrendering the city and turning over Joseph Smith and other Mormon leaders for trial and punishment.  Hinkle also agrees that Mormon property is to be confiscated by the militia to pay for damages and the Saints are to surrender their arms and leave the state.  Joseph Smith and the other leaders are told by Hinkle that General Lucas would like to talk to them in a peace conference.  They are shocked when Hinkle turns them over to Lucas as prisoners.  A secret and illegal court-martial is held during the night.  The prisoners receive a sentence to be executed the next morning on the public square in Far West.  General Alexander Doniphan receives the order and heroically refuses to comply calling it ”cold blooded murder.”  Lucas seems to lose some of his nerve, and takes the prisoners to jail in Richmond, Missouri.  Joseph Smith and the other leaders are held in chains in the Richmond jail. For two horrible weeks the prisoners receive much abuse from the guards.  One night after hours of obscene jests, bragging, blasphemies and filthy language from the guards, the majesty of the Prophet Joseph Smith is witnessed, as he stands in chains and rebukes the guards.  The quailing guards drop their weapons, fall to their knees, and crouch at the feet of Joseph Smith and beg for his pardon.   All the evidence is stacked against the church leaders in a 13-day sham trial.  When the prisoners submit a list of defense witnesses, the witnesses are either jailed or driven from the county.  Alexander Doniphan acts as counsel for the saints and reports that, “if a cohort of angels were to come down, and declare [the prisoners] were innocent, it would all be the same for he (the Judge) had determined from the beginning to cast [them] into prison.” After the trial ends Joseph Smith and others are placed in Liberty Jail.

 

Meanwhile in Far West, General John B. Clark, the designated commanding officer arrives in Far West.  He says he will not force the Saints out of Missouri in winter but forces them to live on parched corn.  The Mormon militia expects compensation from the Saints. Saints are forced to sign over their lands to the Missourians.  The troops at Far West plunder everything they can lay their hands upon, taking anything of value.  With no help from the government and conditions growing desperate thousands of Saints are forced to leave Missouri in the dead of winter seeking shelter anywhere they can seek refuge.  Most settle across the Missouri border near the Illinois town of Quincy.  It would be spring before Joseph Smith and others would find their way to join the Saints in Illinois.  Thus ends a tragic chapter in Missouri church history. Copy of Vignette Six (pdf).  Copy of Vignette Six (doc). (It will appear in your download folder.)

Liberty Jail, early days.

Filed Under: Church, Missouri Church History Tagged With: Adam-ondi-ahman, Book of Commandments, Caldwell, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Clay, David W. Patten, Daviess, Doniphan, Election Day Battle, Extermination Order, Far West, Gallatin, Governor Boggs, Haun's Mill Massacre, Independence Missouri, Jackson County Missouri, Joseph Smith, LDS, Liberty Jail, Mary Elizabeth Rollins, militia, Missouri, Mormon, Mormon Missouri Church history, Sidney Rigdon, vignettes, Young Women, Youth Conference

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I'm Shelley. Mom of three and grandma of eight... living right in the middle of the country, Kansas City! I'm happy to be alive and enjoy sharing exciting goodies that I find and make. Here you will find ideas for LDS Young Women's activities, family updates, and a compilation of all things wonderful.

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