Week 32--March 29 to April 4, 2020
Happy Birthday Heather!
Sister Villegas and Sister Coronado, both from Mexico, who served with us at Liberty Jail returned home on Sunday. They have been good guides and have grown a lot during this missionary experience. We also served with Sister DeLeon from Guatemala, and Sister Romero from Peru who have not been sent home yet because the borders of their home countries are closed. No one in and no one out.
After our walk and breakfast, Tom went with Mike White who doesn't have a car and hadn't been able to contact two of his five new families for which he was the ministering brother. We finally found them, and had to leave notes on the door because neither answered. Two days later one called, so it was a success.
Also on Monday, after lunch, we took a drive to visit the Civil War battle sites that are located in the/Independence area. Missouri saw some of the most violent clashes between family members and neighbors. Reported to be worse than any other state in the Union during the Civil War.
On August 11, 1862, organized units under Confederate command and irregular units under the direction of William Clarke Quantrill attacked the federals that were stationed in and around Independence square in an attempt to capture weapons and munitions. This battle was a victory for the Confederates and came to be known as the First Battle of Independence. The Marshall's House and Jail served as the headquarters for the Union Provost Guard that was attacked by some of the Confederate soldiers.
The Confederate troops tied their horses up around Courthouse Square and began their surprise advance on the Union headquarters and camp. There was a rock wall down the center of Walnut Street. At the Mormon Visitors' Center a gully behind the wall became the rallying point for the Union soldiers.
The Gilbert Whitney Store is located on Independence Square. It was established by Gilbert Whitney when the Mormons were in Independence.
Two Confederate soldiers who died during this battle were Colonel John Taylor Hughes and Colonel John H. Boyd. We had walked by their headstones in the Woodlawn Cemetery many times but didn't realize the significance until now. Colonel John Taylor Hughes was killed while leading his troops in the First Battle of Independence.
Colonel John R. Boyd was wounded during the attempt to drive the Union forces from the wall and later died.
The Second Battle of Independence or the Battle of the Big Blue occurred five miles east of Independence on the Little Blue River and later extended into the city of Independence on October 21-22, 1864. 15,000 Union and Confederate forces were engaged in this battle. This battle was also a victory for the Confederate troops.
Mrs. Robert Hill observed the battle from the upper porch of the Bingham-Waggoner Estate and wrote her observations: "From the balcony, which is very high, we had clear view of the battle for more than a mile. We saw the Federals capture a battery in Noah Miller's field. It was magnificently defended and no less bravely attacked. We could see the far-off flash of red fire coming out of the guns and pistols and men fell by the dozens. It was one of the most sublimely thrilling sights that no one could imagine...What the issue of this tremendous battle will be, god alone knows." We visited the Bingham-Waggoner Estate last December.
On our way home from visiting the Civil War sites we stopped by the grave of Granville Hedrick. When Joseph Smith was martyred he broke off from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and established the Church of Christ. The sign outside of their church says that it was established April 6, 1830. The Church of Christ (as our church was originally named), still owns the 2.5 acres that are called the Temple Lot and marker stones were set by Joseph Smith. Their church building is across the street from the Independence Visitors' Center.
We loved watching General Conference on Saturday. We invited the two apartments of sisters that live in our building to come and watch with us. One of the surprises was the new symbol President Nelson unveiled that will represent the Church. We love it.
President Nelson's prophecy at conference last October, that this conference would be "memorable and unforgettable" certainly came to pass. No members got to attend the sessions. Only the speakers for the session were in the room, and all were the recommended six feet apart. Music from the Tabernacle Choir were prerecorded. This certainly was a historic conference!
Happy Birthday Heather!
Sister Villegas and Sister Coronado, both from Mexico, who served with us at Liberty Jail returned home on Sunday. They have been good guides and have grown a lot during this missionary experience. We also served with Sister DeLeon from Guatemala, and Sister Romero from Peru who have not been sent home yet because the borders of their home countries are closed. No one in and no one out.
After our walk and breakfast, Tom went with Mike White who doesn't have a car and hadn't been able to contact two of his five new families for which he was the ministering brother. We finally found them, and had to leave notes on the door because neither answered. Two days later one called, so it was a success.
On August 11, 1862, organized units under Confederate command and irregular units under the direction of William Clarke Quantrill attacked the federals that were stationed in and around Independence square in an attempt to capture weapons and munitions. This battle was a victory for the Confederates and came to be known as the First Battle of Independence. The Marshall's House and Jail served as the headquarters for the Union Provost Guard that was attacked by some of the Confederate soldiers.
The Gilbert Whitney Store is located on Independence Square. It was established by Gilbert Whitney when the Mormons were in Independence.
The Second Battle of Independence or the Battle of the Big Blue occurred five miles east of Independence on the Little Blue River and later extended into the city of Independence on October 21-22, 1864. 15,000 Union and Confederate forces were engaged in this battle. This battle was also a victory for the Confederate troops.
Mrs. Robert Hill observed the battle from the upper porch of the Bingham-Waggoner Estate and wrote her observations: "From the balcony, which is very high, we had clear view of the battle for more than a mile. We saw the Federals capture a battery in Noah Miller's field. It was magnificently defended and no less bravely attacked. We could see the far-off flash of red fire coming out of the guns and pistols and men fell by the dozens. It was one of the most sublimely thrilling sights that no one could imagine...What the issue of this tremendous battle will be, god alone knows." We visited the Bingham-Waggoner Estate last December.
We loved watching General Conference on Saturday. We invited the two apartments of sisters that live in our building to come and watch with us. One of the surprises was the new symbol President Nelson unveiled that will represent the Church. We love it.President Nelson's prophecy at conference last October, that this conference would be "memorable and unforgettable" certainly came to pass. No members got to attend the sessions. Only the speakers for the session were in the room, and all were the recommended six feet apart. Music from the Tabernacle Choir were prerecorded. This certainly was a historic conference!
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