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

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

Emma Smith visits our Young Women…Thank you Katherine Nelson Thompson!

July 20, 2013 by shelley

We used a pioneer theme:

Popcorn Bar with toppings, caramel popcorn balls, and four different popcorns from Velvet Cream Popcorn.

We welcomed Katherine Nelson Thompson (played Emma Smith in all the movies) to our Young Women:

Katherine Nelson Thompson speaking to our YW.

Katherine Nelson Thompson played the role of Emma Smith in the Joseph Smith movie, Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration 2005 and the lead of Emma Smith in the movie Emma Smith: My Story 2008. She was also Anna Larsen in the movie 17 Miracles, 2011. She recently played the role of Alice Dobson in Ephraim’s Rescue 2013 (watch the trailer here ). She also has a CD out called Born Brave. Katherine Nelson’s new CD Born Brave boldly pays tribute to the triumphs and challenges in every woman’s life. Recorded in Nashville, the songs explore themes of heartache and joy through her distinctive voice and songwriting. Nelson, the star of “Emma Smith: My Story,” says “I wanted to create an album that lets every mother, wife, sister and daughter know that even the greatest challenges can be overcome.” (Also a nice article about her in the Deseret News Newspaper.) You can also see her on You Tube.

Katherine was raised in Southern California as one of eight children, and began singing at age three. Now she is a recognized award-winning musical artist, songwriter, and actress.

She was kind enough to come to our ward Young Women’s group and talk about what it was like to play the part of Emma Smith. It was awesome. The Young Women loved her. Some of the mom’s even came. The mom’s adored her. It was an incredible talk and Katherine even shared her talent with us and sang a song. Emma Smith was a very strong woman, and I am sure, a challenge (to any actress) to portray that strength. Emma Smith was faced with many challenges and difficulties. Katherine portrayed Emma’s strength in a way that not only showed her strength, but also showed how vulnerable she must have felt when she was faced with a difficulty. Her message to the Young Women, was a message, of overcoming even the most difficult challenges. Thank you Katherine Nelson Thompson!

Pictures of Emma Smith (artists renditions, from the movie Emma Smith: My Story, and actual pictures of the real Emma Smith) were placed on the board in the front of the room.

Emma Smith, artist renditions and from the movie.

Emma Smith, from the movie and from real life.

Emma Smith, from the movie and real life.

Emma Smith, from real life.

A display table was set up in the front of the room:

Pioneer Display Table

For refreshments we had cookies made from Recipes of Emma Smith (pdf version), (passed down through the family of Emma Smith), ( download the recipes in word document file click Recipes of Emma Smith and look in your download file). These recipes have been passed down in the Emma Smith Family found in the book The Emma Smith We Know. Written and Compiled by Darcy Kennedy and Angeline Kennedy Washburn. One recipe (front of picture) was Raisin Cookies (delicious) and the other one Brown Sugar Cookies. The recipes also include peanut brittle, fritters, biscuits and cornbread.

Refreshment Table Included Authentic Cookies from Emma Smith Recipe.

We also had homemade bread and honey butter:

Homemade bread and honey butter.

Refreshments also included an the Old Fashioned Popcorn Bar (featured in my 4th of July post)..

The Old Fashioned Popcorn Bar featured 15 different seasonings, toppings, caramel popcorn balls, and four different popcorns from Velvet Creme Popcorn.

Flavored Popcorn from Velvet Creme Popcorn.

Popcorn Bar Toppings

Popcorn Bar featuring a dozen different seasonings.

Popcorn Bar featuring 15 different seasonings.

Popcorn Bar with toppings, caramel popcorn balls, and four different popcorns from Velvet Cream Popcorn.

We also had salt water taffy, honey stixs (straws), Old Fashioned flavored hard candy and home-made root beer.

Salt Water Taffy

Old Fashioned Hard Candy in several flavors.

We had lemon drops, horehound drops, sassafras drops, anise drops, licorice drops, apple drops, root beer drops and wild cherry drops.

homemade root beer

Salt Water Taffy

Refreshment Table

Other Young Women Events:
Standards Night 2013: “2 Bee Holy”

Standards Night 2014: Molly Mormon Standards on Trial

Young Women In Excellence

New Beginnings 2013: Value colors

New Beginnings 2014: All white (“Come Unto Christ”)

New Beginnings 2015 Embark

Johnny Lingo Eight Cow Activity (Individual Worth)

Young Women’s Standards Night; “2 ‘Bee’ Holy” (Bee theme!)

June 21, 2013 by shelley

For our standards night we used the theme “2 ‘Bee’ Holy”.

“2 ‘Bee’ Holy”

That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God. Numbers 15:40 )

It was an extension of this years mutual theme “Stand in Holy Places.”

“Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord” (Doctrine and Covenants 87:8)

Temple President of the Kansas City Missouri Temple, President Hardy and Temple Matron Sister Hardy were our guest speakers.

In their talks we asked them to emphasize how each YW can make herself holy in these times even with all the challenges faced in the world today, to know they can be in the world but not a part of the world. And that we can be holy at all times, in all places and in all things, even as we are bombarded with many outside forces. We wanted our Young Women to learn how to find the strength from within, and that strength comes from our personal relationship with our Heavenly Father.

They did a wonderful job!

We decorated using the “2 ‘Bee'” theme;

Welcome table with programs using bee theme.

“2 ‘Bee’ Holy”

We used the Relief Society for the program. The front blackboard and table was decorated.

Banners to decorate front of the room.

View of Blackboard with banner and tissue flowers.

“2 ‘Bee’ Holy”

Center piece flowers.

“2 ‘Bee’ Theme” on front table.

Small table in the back with “Stand in Holy Places” poster, with beehive jar filled with lemon drops.

“Stand in Holy Places” and beehive glass jar filled with lemon drops.

Refreshments were in the Young Women’s room. We added color to the room with paper lanterns, honeycomb balls and tissue paper pom-poms.

Paper Lanterns, tissue paper pom-poms and honeycomb balls to add color to room.

Refreshments included chocolate covered oreo cookies covered with chocolate transfer in bee patterns on the chocolate or molded chocolate flowers, lemon cupcakes, lemon bars, a “beehive” cake and of course pieces of the old-fashioned candy bit of honey.

Flowers, bees and Bit of Honey.

Chocolate covered oreo cookies with chocolate transfers or molded chocolate daisies and Bit of Honey candy.

Chocolate covered oreo cookies with chocolate transfers or molded chocolate daisies.

Lemon cupcakes topped with bees.

Lemon cupcakes

Lemon bars with sugar bee on top.

Bee themed refreshments.

Beehive Cake

There was also mint white Salt Lake Temple chocolates.

Mint white temple chocolates.

There were honey sticks, lemon drops and little jars of honey. Drinks were lemon infused water and lemonade.

There were honey sticks, lemon drops and little jars of honey.

Little jars of honey.

Lemon drops.

Drinks were lemon infused water and lemonade.

Drinks

“Bee” plates and color coordinated napkins and utensils.

The favors were beehive candles.

Favors were beehive candles.

Favors

Bee theme.

Other Young Women Events

New Beginnings 2013-value colors

New Beginnings 2014-all white (Come Unto Christ)

New Beginnings 2015 Embark

Young Women in Excellence 2013

Honoring Pioneers: Emma Smith

Standards Night 2014: Molly Mormon Standards on Trial

Johnny Lingo Eight Cow Activity (Individual Worth)

Music and the Spoken Word and the Tabernacle Choir

June 20, 2013 by shelley

Music and the Spoken Word and the Tabernacle Choir

This year Ellen Riley and I decided we would attend Music and the Spoken Word and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on Temple Square. She had never attended. It is an incredible opportunity to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in person and definitely worth the effort. No one is ever disappointed.
The May 5, 2013 Program of Music and the Spoken word

Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the Tabernacle May 5, 2013

The program did not disappoint!

Visiting Brigham Young’s gravesite.

After finding out Ellen had never been to Brigham Young’s gravesite we decided to stop at the mini-park and gravesite.
The grave of Brigham Young is located in the Brigham Young Family Memorial Cemetery in downtown Salt Lake City Utah. (located in the avenues; 194 East 1st Ave.) Brigham Young was born June 1,1801 at Whitingham, Vermont and died August 29, 1877 at Salt Lake City, Utah. Brigham Young was second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He led the Mormon pioneers from Winter Quarters to the Salt Lake valley. He became Governor of the Provisional State of Deseret and later Governor of the Territory of Utah. The posted coordinates will take you the final resting place of Brigham Young.
The grave site is open to the public and can be viewed most anytime.
Brigham Young’s grave is kind of nestled in between some apartment buildings. Unless you have the address, one would drive by it without even knowing it is there. There’s a more general pioneer memorial in the front, and then the graves of Brigham Young and some wives in a more private area towards the back.

Brigham Youngs Gravesite, Salt Lake City Utah.

Mary Ann Angell Young’s gravesite. She was the second wife of Brigham Young. She married Brigham Young after his first wife, Miriam Angeline Works died in 1832. She also brought many seeds with her to Salt Lake City and is credited with planting the beautiful trees that grow along the eastern end of South Temple Street in Salt Lake City, which was once known as Brigham Street. Mary Ann Angell was the sister of Salt Lake Temple architect Truman Angell.

Gravesite of Mary Ann Angell Young one of Brigham Young's wives.

Gravesite of Mary V. Young one of Brigham Young’s wives.

Gravesite of Eliza R. Snow

There is also a delightful sculpture of Brigham Young reading to children.

Near Brigham Young’s grave statue of him reading to children in Salt Lake City,Utah.

Statue of Brigham Young reading to children.

In this small park tucked away in the avenues of Salt Lake City, was a grand old gnarly tree. I loved the textures of its trunk.

Interesting textures on trunk of old tree in Brigham Young’s gravesite park.

Gnarly old tree in Brigham Young’s gravesite park.

Wrinkled old trunk of tree.

Loved the texture of the gnarly old tree in park.

Kansas City First Ward New Beginnings

February 17, 2013 by shelley

Kansas City 1st Ward,

Kansas City Missouri Stake

Young Women’s New Beginnings

This year we decided to get down to the basics for New Beginnings. We used the 2013 Mutual Theme, “Stand in Holy Places” and added “Feel the Love.” We wanted the connection between when you are doing what you are suppose to be doing, i.e. “Standing in Holy Places”, you will feel the spirit or “feel the love.” We did a complete and total review of the Young Women’s Program with emphasis on Personal Progress. We reviewed YW calendars, schedules and Class Presidencies and their Responsibilities. (A folder with Ward and Stake Calendars, Schedules and Rosters was prepared for each family.) We examined the YW theme and a bit of the history of YW. Each value was presented by one of the YW and included in their talk what the value meant to them and gave examples from their own lives.

We used the YW value colors to decorate and in planning of the refreshments. The Laurels helped with making the refreshments for one Mutual Activity, and all the YW helped in a combined activity with the decorating.

Using napkins to accentuate the value color theme.

Rows and rows of value colors, even in the hanging lanterns.

Our otherwise un-colorful YW room turned vibrant with value colors!

Blackboards and cinderblock hidden with hanging plastic tablecloths in value colors.

Easy to hang color using plastic tablecloths, drapery ring and command strips.

Simple (and inexpensive) but effective use of color.

Cinderblocks covered with “love”…value colored paper hearts glued on grosgrain ribbon and hung with drapery hook and command strips.

Surrounded a picture of the temple in white. Food table center-piece bottles with coordinating colored sand and value colored hearts.

Each column of chairs decorated with coordinated value colored sashes.

Front table decorated with flowers, hearts and poster with mutual theme.

Table with programs, flowers, and poster at entrance of room.

Flowers in value colors.

Table greeting people as they entered; theme, flowers and program all in value colors.

Front table with presentation of theme, YW theme, flowers, info folders and hearts.

Sugar cookies decorated in YW value colored frosting and sparkling sugar.

Value colored heart suckers in vase with value colored rocks.

Rice krispie treats dipped in value colored chocolate and coordinated colored sprinkles arranged rows of color.

Pretzels dipped in “value colored” chocolate.

Cake pops dipped in chocolate and covered in nonpareils coordinated with YW value colors.

Rice Krispie treats and Kool-aid popcorn in YW value colors. Popcorn cups also in YW value colors.

YW New Beginnings with Refreshments in the value colors.

Before the drink added…Mason jar drinks with straws in the value colors.

Rainbow colored licorice and candy “feel the love” hearts and rainbow colored lollipops.

Heart shaped sugar cookies decorated in the YW value colors.

Value colored layered jello parfait with rainbow sprinkles. And gumball tube in value colors.

Rows of lollipops in the YW value colors.

Layered jello parfait in YW value colors and rainbow sprinkles.

View of one of the YW value colored food tables.

YW room set up for New Beginnings decorated in the YW value colors.

New Beginnings Value Color theme Kansas City First Ward.

Link to other Young Women events:

New Beginnings 2014

New Beginnings 2015 Embark

Young Women in Excellence

Standards Night

Honoring Pioneers: Emma Smith