Pioneer Courage....
...It's The Best
In the middle of Omaha is a park dedicated to the pioneer spirit that built the west. It seems that sometimes get caught up in our own ancestral heritage to the point we do not recognize that there were far more than "pioneers and immigrants" who made their way across the plains in hopes of a better life for themselves. Their efforts and sacrifices, while for different reasons, are remembered in several sites in Omaha in beautiful bronze sculptures. The largest assemblage is in Pioneer Courage Park. The concept and funding for this massive project was a brain child of First National Bank and created by Blair Buswell of Highland , UT and Ed Fraughton of South Jordan, UT.
Had we known, we would have planned to see all the sculptures in their various venues. They are truly well done and as you look into the eyes and hearts of those sculptures you feel a depth of love for the lives and souls who were pioneers forging their way across the nation in search of something that was meaningful to them that they were willing to pay any price to get it. Whether it was freedom of religion, as was our case, or the promise of the quick riches of gold, or even the enduring riches of land and farming...It was the search for freedom and opportunity. It was a time that was fraught with physical peril and uncertainty. With courage and high expectations they engaged wholeheartedly in the task. Hats off to those who rode the trails west!!
It's South Across Iowa and to Missouri...
....On to Far West
The next leg of our journey took us across Iowa and into Missouri to visit the Far West Temple site. Some might say there is nothing there except the four cornerstones of the temple the Saints were trying to build as they were driven out of Missouri in the dead of winter and forced to flee to the banks of the Mississippi River to be miraculously rescued by the good people of Quincy, Illinois.
It's not the stones....it's the feeling that catches my attention. It may be the quietness of the openness that surrounds the temple site...or it may be something a lot more than that. We stayed at the sight for about an hour, taking in the moment and enjoying the experinece. Then it was off to Richmond, Missouri for the night.
Richmond, Mo.
One Man Stands Tall.....
A Monument to Three Witness's
Richmond and Lexington are not necessarily a "must see" stop on most folks list of LDS Church sites. It was an absolute must on mine. It was here that my ancestors, John and Janet Farrell lived for their first years in America, after immigrating from Scotland. John had become impatient while waiting in Iowa City for his handcart company to depart so he split the couples wealth, 50 cents, left a pregnant wife and took to the trail to find work where he could. He found it first in Carbon Cliff, Ill. as a miner. Later they moved to Richmond, Mo. Here they lived for some time and their son Malcom died and was buried here.
While there wasn't much of their time there to see there was two things of importance in regards to church history. First was a monument to General Alexander Doniphan in front of the Fayette County courthouse. He was instrumental in preserving the Prophet Joseph Smith's life when he was tried before a "kangaroo" military court instigated by a General Lucas. It was illegal for military courts to try civilians but that didn't stop General Lucas. After a guilty verdict for treason was reached it was ordered that Joseph Smith and others be executed before a firing squad. General Doniphan was given the order. He not only refused to carry our a direct order (a courts martial offense), he stood firm in his resolve to Lucas that the tribunal was illegal he swore if it were carried out by another officer he would have all those involved charged with murder. Lucas capitulated under pressure. There was still a long trail ahead for the Prophet before he would again be re-united with the Saints in Quincy, Ill., however. General Doniphan continued to be a friend of the Saints and also defended many other Saints including Porter Rockwell when he was charged for the assassination of Governor Boggs. He was treated to a hero's welcome many years later when he visited Salt Lake City.
David Wittmer, one of the Three Witness's is also buried in the Richmond Cemetery so we visited his grave site. We also spent and extraordinary amount of time searching for a monument to the Three Witness's. Turns our it was in a "pioneer" cemetery which we later visited. It gave us time to reflect on their testimonies and their lives, and wonder if this might have been the resting place of young Malcom Farrell.
The Prophet Joseph Smith was brought to Richmond and imprisoned here with Parley P. Pratt and others. During a night of their incarceration the guards became intoxicated as they liquored themselves up and began spewing out stories of the atrocities they had perpetrated on Saints as they destroyed their farms and houses, killed their animals and some men, and boasted of raping some of the women. After listening to this for some time, Joseph had reached a point that he could no longer stand it. Rising to his feet, in chains, he stood tall as he rebuked the guards in no uncertain terms; "Cease such talk...Either you or I die...this instant." The guards were so stunned they apologized and remained quiet the rest of the night. This incident is sometimes mistakenly attributed to their time in Liberty Jail.
Re-Living Family History....
....In Lexington
Nine miles to the south of Richmond is Lexington. After the arrival of John and Janet's families in America they were reunited in Richmond. Sometime later John and Janet went to Lexington where John continued to be employed as a miner. As far as church history, there is little of great importance but the story of John and Janet is the stuff that makes great novels or movies. (You know.....it's that line in movie that says "Based on a true story").
While they were in Lexington John and Janet ran a boarding house and one of her frequent guests was Jesse James. She told of the other guests, while accommodating, often buried their money on the grounds so they wouldn't be robbed. They also made sure no one knew they were Mormon. As they continued to make a life here they found themselves in the middle of the Battle of Lexington at the beginning of the Civil War. Janet was enlisted to help cook for the soldiers and when the battle ensued the Farrell's took cover in a mine and watched as the battle raged nearby.
So for me visiting Visitor's Center that told of the battle was a highlight. It was like being in Nauvoo....knowing I was standing where it really took place. I talked with the hostess and told her a little about the Farrell's and their part in the battle. She didn't seem to know about any mine. As I continued to tour she again approached me and said she had talked to the director and he indeed knew of the mine that was down by the river. I think I would have had to be here to get the full scope and intensity of the battle that ensued as the Southern troops fought for three days to take College Hill from the Northern Troops. Even though the South was disadvantaged they attacked high ground held by the North using large bales of hemp for cover they slowly, but methodically pushed them up the hill providing great cover and thus overwhelmed the North and ultimately forced them to surrender.
Liberty...... Independence.....
and on to Texas!!
Our next stop was Liberty as we headed west across Missiouri. Our GPS system had worked flawlessly until it took us south to Missouri City before we could set it straight and head for Liberty.
It apparently took us the shortest (not the fastest) way as we made our way on small country roads before miraculously appearing in front of Liberty Jail. Again, with our missionary attire and badges we received a "special tour" and enjoyed our time listening to the history and visiting the mock-up of the jail that had been built on the lower level. Unfortunately they were doing some repairs and we couldn't get the full picture but we did feel the spirit of testimony that dwelt there.
A few miles south of Liberty is the Independence Visitors Center. We are getting to be road warriors (not) by this time and Texas and the family is looming large on the horizon....hours away but on the horizon. The Independence Visitors Center is devoted to depecting the experiences of Mormon's in Missouri from 1831-1839. We took the tour, finally given by a Sister missionary....Probably because I mentioned to the director who greeted us that our badges seem to draw lengthy tours by directors of the visitors center's and we were in a hurry to get on the road to see our children and grandchildren.
He was kind enough to take a picture of us standing in front of the Christus. It may be just me, but for some reason I seem to feel the Savior's love in this picture more than any other we have taken along our journey.
Richmond, Mo.
One Man Stands Tall.....
A Monument to Three Witness's
While there wasn't much of their time there to see there was two things of importance in regards to church history. First was a monument to General Alexander Doniphan in front of the Fayette County courthouse. He was instrumental in preserving the Prophet Joseph Smith's life when he was tried before a "kangaroo" military court instigated by a General Lucas. It was illegal for military courts to try civilians but that didn't stop General Lucas. After a guilty verdict for treason was reached it was ordered that Joseph Smith and others be executed before a firing squad. General Doniphan was given the order. He not only refused to carry our a direct order (a courts martial offense), he stood firm in his resolve to Lucas that the tribunal was illegal he swore if it were carried out by another officer he would have all those involved charged with murder. Lucas capitulated under pressure. There was still a long trail ahead for the Prophet before he would again be re-united with the Saints in Quincy, Ill., however. General Doniphan continued to be a friend of the Saints and also defended many other Saints including Porter Rockwell when he was charged for the assassination of Governor Boggs. He was treated to a hero's welcome many years later when he visited Salt Lake City.
The Prophet Joseph Smith was brought to Richmond and imprisoned here with Parley P. Pratt and others. During a night of their incarceration the guards became intoxicated as they liquored themselves up and began spewing out stories of the atrocities they had perpetrated on Saints as they destroyed their farms and houses, killed their animals and some men, and boasted of raping some of the women. After listening to this for some time, Joseph had reached a point that he could no longer stand it. Rising to his feet, in chains, he stood tall as he rebuked the guards in no uncertain terms; "Cease such talk...Either you or I die...this instant." The guards were so stunned they apologized and remained quiet the rest of the night. This incident is sometimes mistakenly attributed to their time in Liberty Jail.
Re-Living Family History....
....In Lexington
While they were in Lexington John and Janet ran a boarding house and one of her frequent guests was Jesse James. She told of the other guests, while accommodating, often buried their money on the grounds so they wouldn't be robbed. They also made sure no one knew they were Mormon. As they continued to make a life here they found themselves in the middle of the Battle of Lexington at the beginning of the Civil War. Janet was enlisted to help cook for the soldiers and when the battle ensued the Farrell's took cover in a mine and watched as the battle raged nearby.
Liberty...... Independence.....
and on to Texas!!
It apparently took us the shortest (not the fastest) way as we made our way on small country roads before miraculously appearing in front of Liberty Jail. Again, with our missionary attire and badges we received a "special tour" and enjoyed our time listening to the history and visiting the mock-up of the jail that had been built on the lower level. Unfortunately they were doing some repairs and we couldn't get the full picture but we did feel the spirit of testimony that dwelt there.
A few miles south of Liberty is the Independence Visitors Center. We are getting to be road warriors (not) by this time and Texas and the family is looming large on the horizon....hours away but on the horizon. The Independence Visitors Center is devoted to depecting the experiences of Mormon's in Missouri from 1831-1839. We took the tour, finally given by a Sister missionary....Probably because I mentioned to the director who greeted us that our badges seem to draw lengthy tours by directors of the visitors center's and we were in a hurry to get on the road to see our children and grandchildren.
He was kind enough to take a picture of us standing in front of the Christus. It may be just me, but for some reason I seem to feel the Savior's love in this picture more than any other we have taken along our journey.
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