Missouri: Kansas City, Independence and Liberty

Elliot and I drove to Kansas City, MO for the weekend a few weekends ago.  We've been wanting to see the church sites while we're here, and so we drove to Liberty and Independence which are just outside of Kansas City.  We had to make a detour on the way there to get Noodles & Co... I've been wanting that so badly. :)  It was such a fun drive, just the two of us, and a great weekend.  

 Saturday we went to Liberty Jail.  It was so neat to be there and learn about the prophet and his time in the jail.  It was so small, especially for 5 gown men, and they said it was so cold.  The cold here is different than Salt Lake, because it's so humid, so it really gets to you.  I can only imagine being there through the long winter months.  

You can see the rope and the men inside.  It struck a cord with me, as Joseph's brother had a baby while he was in jail.  The wife came to bring the baby to see him one time (from Nauvoo which must have taken them days of travel).  When they arrived they wouldn't let him come up to see his son, so the baby had to be lowered down to him in the jail.  Can you imagine taking your brand new baby to see their daddy in jail, and having him lowered down?  They also used the rope to get in and out of the jail when the guards would let them out to talk to their lawyers.

Here you go Danielle, you wanted a baby bump shot.  Although, this isn't just a bump anymore....

This is the front of the jail.  When Joseph arrived he'd been in jail I think already for a month, at another location.  But when he arrived at Liberty, many men were standing out front and the guards, and he sweetly said "Good afternoon gentlemen".  A sweet attitude even when going to jail.

We drove to Independence on Sunday and went to the visitors center.  It was neat to see the how the saints lived and survived.  Amazing.  This is Elliot's sister who is expecting 2 days before me.  We met them there since they are in Iowa for her husband Jordan's schooling.  You can see their little boy on the left, Walker.  Her second is also a boy.

This is the plot of land, not owned by our church anymore, but it was dedicated as the plot where the temple will be built.  We don't own it yet, another church does, but this is the plot of land.

This is the crazy temple that the Community of Church calls their temple.  Anyone can go inside, but it was closed on Sunday.  BUMMER!  I wanted to see it so bad.  Isn't it crazy.  Not the prettiest thing I've ever seen.

It was a very neat trip.  I was talking with El, have any of you ever been to any of these sites?  I couldn't remember talking about them ever with you guys.  I really want to go to Nauvoo before we move too!  That must be incredible.  Have any of you been there?