Elder Jaydan Ropelato: Kirtland, Ohio

It's a tradition in our family to take the child leaving for a mission on a little vacation that has something to do with the Church. We took Jaydan to Kirtland, Ohio. We saw a lot of cool things and places, heard a lot of information about each place and had our testimonies strengthened, so I guess it was a success. We did a lot of laughing together too.

When the Johnson family moved from Hiram they had this Inn in Kirtland. The did really good in their business decisions.

The Whitney family owned this home across the street from their store. They were such good people that they would feed people in need (or anyone) at different weekends of the year.

The Whitneys owned this store. People would come and trade their goods. This is where the Prophet, Joseph Smith, came when he got to town. He told Newel he was there because Newel had prayed him there. In the top of the store the Brethren had meeting and some even saw Jesus Christ. They were also given revelations which are found in the D&C.

We also toured the Saw Mill and the Ashery. They were a hard working people.

The next day we went through the Kirtland Temple. When I say "went through" I mean from bottom to top. We saw the underneath and what they have done to strengthen and preserve it. Then we were able to go through each floor and up to the Bell Tower. It was a very informative tour. It wasn't very spiritual since they couldn't talk about the visions and angels that had appeared there. (I guess the Community of Christ Church doesn't allow that) We know the things that happened there though and made sure we talked about them afterwards. It is a beautiful Temple and I think it's neat to hear how hard the saints worked on it. I can't believe they were able to build it in just two years. I believe they had angels working with them. It's big and they did everything by hand. It is awesome.

After seeing the Temple we went to the Johnson Farm. (I might just add that for each tour we took we were the only ones there at those times....people came before us and after us but never at the same time) This place was huge. It was a really nice home and large for those days. The Johnson's also let the Prophet live with them. In fact Joseph was there when the mobs came and took him in the night and tarred and feathered him. (after that night the Smiths little boy died from being exposed to the cold) Joseph still preached the next morning on the front porch of this house. Jesus Christ was also seen here by some of the brethren and more revelations were revealed.

The next day we went to the last place on our agenda. It was the Morley Farm. The missionaries haven't been assigned here yet (we were about 3 weeks early) so we just walked up the path to where the school house had been and sat and pondered. It was at the school house that more visions and revelations were given. We went back to the visitor center after and had the missionaries there tell us more about the Morley Farm.

We had time before our flight to catch the first session of conference with some of the members in Kirtland at their stake center. It was a fun trip. It was fun spending time with Jaydan. (he's such a easy going, fun loving kid.) I know my testimony was strengthened and I am sure Jaydan's was too. He got a lot of attention and advice from the missionaries. (Seniors and young Sisters)