Day 2- Independence, Missouri

(Sorry for the delay in posting Day 2. And please bear with me as I may add more pictures as I get them from others.)

What an amazing day today! We started the day with breakfast at the hotel, and a devotional time presented by the Bishop. He has studied extensively in preparation for this trip, and shared the importance of Independence to Church history. We got on the road, and arrived in Independence around noontime. There, we were given a tour of the Community of Christ temple, which is open to the public. It is very different from what we use temples for, as no ordinances are performed there. Our tour guide explained that the temple is used for education, has offices for church leadership, as well as business meetings, sort of like what we call General Conference. He took us to various rooms in the temple, and answered any questions we had. Some of the youth asked questions such as, do they believe in the priesthood (yes, but there is not a certain age to receive it), do women hold the priesthood (yes), what is their view of gay marriage(they support it, as they do not believe it is right to live together if a couple is not married), do they believe in the Book of Mormon (yes, but they do not emphasize it- they study and teach mainly from the New Testament), do they believe in the First Vision (sort of, they believe there are three different versions of what happened that are all correct),  and how many members of the church they have (250,000). There were many other good questions asked and answered.

Next, we visited the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Visitors' Center located right across the street from the Community of Christ temple. What a beautiful place! Though the Community of Christ has beautiful paintings and other artwork, the feeling is definitely not the same. We were given a tour by a sweet Sister missionary who bore a powerful testimony of the Savior and how He loves each of us and knows us personally by name.

After leaving the Visitors' Center, we walked up a grassy hill and saw where the Church of Christ- another church who believes Joseph Smith restored the gospel, but that he was not a prophet--owns what is known as the Temple Lot, where a temple was to have been built as the center of the city of Zion.

Then, we got on the road again to get to the Morrell Legacy Ranch, in Gallatin, Missouri, where we will be spending the next two nights. After we got situated in the different cabins, we enjoyed some dinner catered by a place in Gallatin, and then spent some time in the lake swimming, while others played games.

To end the day, we met together again to see some video clips and hear about the places we will visit tomorrow after church-- Adam-ondi-Ahmen, Far West, and Haun's Mill.

in

Meeting in the hotel room in Kansas City before departure to Independence. Bishop gave an overview of what we were going to see today, including the revelation given to Joseph Smith about Independence being the designated gathering place for the Saints, and it being the "center place" as given in D&C 57:3.

Claire and Kailyn in the Taylor's rental car, ready to set off to Independence. 

Rain!!

Our first stop was the temple of the Community of Christ, formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They, along with the Church of Christ, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, all own property right next to each other in this area. All view this as a sacred area where one day, the New Jerusalem will be built.

Inside The Temple, as the Community of Christ calls it. Here, we had a tour given by a young man who has been a member of this church all his life. Pictures above depict scenes from Community of Christ religious life. 

Entering the Sanctuary room 

In the hallway of the Sanctuary

Another piece of artwork in the hallway of the Sanctuary

This is the large room known as the Sanctuary. Sunday meetings are not held in this room, or in any other room of  The Temple. This room is used for large gatherings similar to General Conference, though a prayer for peace is offered here every day at 1 p.m. 

Here we are, waiting for our tour guide to tell us more about this room.

Here is our tour guide, along with the organ and pipes. We requested to sing "The Spirit of God" and they were nice to oblige.

Here is the view of the ceiling inside the Sanctuary. The spire is reminiscent of the nautilus shell.  

Group shot

First group shot!

Just a quick few steps from the Community of Christ's temple, we next visited the Church's visitors' center.

This beautiful statue, known as The Christus, is the first thing you see as you enter the visitors' center.

Our group waiting for the tour to begin, given by a lovely Sister missionary. 

In this area of the visitors' center, there are copies of the Book of Mormon in many different
 languages on display under the globe.

On the road towards Gallatin, where we are staying for the next two nights.

The road has narrowed and is no longer paved

Rolling hills can be found in abundance in Missouri.

The main lodge of  Morrell Legacy Ranch

Waiting patiently for their dinner

Yummy! Macaroni salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, barbecue beef, smoked chicken, cheesy corn casserole, and rolls.

Enjoying good food and good company

Let's be contemplative after this delicious meal 

Some of the adults enjoying their food

 The last two pictures below show the lake area of the ranch as the sun disappears for the day. Some enjoyed canoeing, paddleboating, and swimming after dinner.