We left Nauvoo today, and headed back towards Kansas City.
Along the way, we stopped in Liberty to see the jail where Joseph Smith, Hyrum
Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Alexander McCrae, and Caleb Baldwin were
confined for four months, and where the prophet received revelation that is now
sections 121, 122, and 123 in the Doctrine and Covenants. You can read more
about their experience here. Our tour guide, a sweet sister missionary from
southern Utah, shared her testimony of how trials refine and strengthen us. She
was on her way to the temple in St. George, trying to decide if she should
serve a mission or not, and was in a terrible car accident that left her in a
coma for 12 days. Doctors said she would never walk again, and she suffered
traumatic brain injury that left her with memory problems. However, through great
faith, hard work, and the support of her family, she has recovered miraculously
well. She walks with no difficulty, and only occasionally has memory issues.
Obviously, she did decide that missionary service was for her, and her
testimony is so appropriate in the setting of Liberty Jail, where Joseph
received comfort and strength through his sufferings, and even found joy. It
was humbling to be there, and feel of the spirit.
After checking into our hotel back in Kansas City, some of
us went to Joe’s Kansas City Barbecue, and then to the Blue Room for some jazz.
Though the line at Joe’s was long, and the weather was hot and humid, the food
was well worth the wait. And the music at the jazz club was soulful and groovin’,
made by the James Ward Band. As an added bonus, we were given a private tour of
the American Jazz Museum, which is normally closed at the time we were there.
We saw exhibits about many jazz great, including Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie
Parker, and Louis Armstrong.
Others of us went to the Kansas City Royals baseball game,
and again, though the weather was hot and humid, everyone who went had a great
time. The $1 hot dogs were pretty tasty. On the way back to the hotel, they caught a glimpse
of the Kansas City temple- a great way to end the day.
Preparing to depart Nauvoo
On the road
Liberty Jail
Joe's Kansas City Barbecue- one of the 13 places to eat at before you die according to Anthony Bourdain. Some of us felt the end was near as we waited in the sweltering heat and humidity.
The Blue Room jazz
The Kansas City Royals baseball game
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