 Hawns Mill
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Unique Printings of The Book of Mormon
192nd Anniversary of the first printing of the Book of Mormon
Made available for purchase on 26 March 1830
By Ryan Daley
6 March 2022: Click here to watch the presentation!
Click here to watch the intro.
Click here to watch a ten-minute video of segments.
195th Anniversary of Joseph Smith
receiving the plates
at the Hill Cummorah (22 Sep 1827)
Click here to watch Ryan's presentation.
(Given on 30 Sept 2022 @ Gallatin, MO)
Unique Printings of
The Book of Mormon
195th Anniversary of
Joseph Smith receiving the plates
at the Hill Cummorah (22 Sep 1827)
Given on 30 Oct 2022
The Bible Printings
of the Reformation
Through the Restoration
Given on 18 Nov & 11 Dec 2022
VIDEO COMING SOON!
The Book of Mormon
Through an Ancient
Onomastic World View
(Study of Names)
Given on 11 & 18 Dec 2022
The Book of Mormon Through an Ancient Onomastic World View (Study of Names)
18 Dec 2022 (Sunday)
Independence Visitors' Center
Biography of Ryan Daley
Learn the most recent research, as it applies to the use of ancient names, and how it provides a new perspective on LDS sacred literature, in particular The Book of Mormon. Ryan walked through his research and its impact, which was recently published in Sacred Names: The Power of Names in Ancient Scripture, Modern Revelation, and Sacred Spaces.
Looking for something new to listen to?
Check out this recent Joseph Smith Papers Podcast on Kirtland.
This is a documentary-style podcast about the way men and women flocked to Kirtland in the 1830s to hear the voice of God through the prophet Joseph Smith.
Click the link below to listen! Episodes three and five discuss the Saints' establishment in Missouri during this Kirtland Era.
If you're looking for something new to read, check out this book, Restorations.
It documents the dialogue between scholars of Community of Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is full of honest, frank conversations interwoven with collegiality and friendship between members of the two faiths. Read to discover the twelve themes these scholars discussed to bring about mutual understanding between faiths.
You can purchase the book on Amazon by clicking here!
Lyman Wight GTT
(Gone To Texas) -
The Rest of the Story
By Joe Richardson
(direct descendant of Lyman Wight
& other Missouri ancestors)
Given on 23 Sept 2022
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We want to give a warm welcome to the Forsyths, the new Mission President and Wife of the Missouri Church History Sites Mission!
Scott and Teri Forsyth are from Herriman, Utah. They are the proud parents of 5 children and 22 grandchildren. President Forsyth was born in Cardston Alberta, Canada, and Sister Forsyth was born in Boise, Idaho. They met at Ricks College, now known as BYU-I. President was called to serve as Mission President of the Missouri Church History Sites Mission in September 2022 by Elder Neil L. Andersen, and they were both set apart by Elder Andersen on February 7, 2023.
President and Sister Forsyth love traveling, parasailing, and ice cream. They have spent many vacations coming to Missouri to visit Sister Forsyth's cousins who live in Holliday and Paris, Missouri. Her ancestors were born and raised here for many generations, back to the early days in the 1820’s. One of her cousins still lives on the original family farm that’s been in the family for 185 years!! Missouri is a very special place with many church history sites and wonderful promises of future church involvement.
President Forsyth has served in many Stake Presidencies, Bishoprics, Young Men's callings, and he served a mission as a young man in the Belgium Antwerp Mission. He spent his career in Seminary and Institute and retired after 36 years of teaching. Sister Forsyth has been Relief Society President, Primary President, Young Womens President, and early morning Seminary Teacher. They are beyond thrilled to serve in this special mission and look forward to serving with all those who are called to serve in this mission with them.
Click below to read President Wilford Woordruff's first-hand account of the
Return of the Apostles to the Far West Temple Site
on 26 April 1839, and of events of his life
before and after his time in Missouri.
(as found in Meridian Magazine, 16 March 2023).
You can also read about the Apostles' Return to Far West in our newsletters:
Commemoration of the Saluda Explosion
By the MMFF
9 April 1852
The descendant of a Saluda Ship explosion survivor shares the story of her Grandmother.
Members of the MMFF gathered in 2022 to commemorate the explosion of the Saluda near Lexington, MO.
Stay tuned for a video we will be publishing soon about the Saluda explosion! You can also read more about the event and historical marker in this newsletter:
Here is a video on the Life of Jane Manning James, presented by the Community of Christ's Historic Sites Foundation.
Their guest presenter was Dr. Quincy Newell, the Professor of Religious Studies at Hamilton College.
Click here to read in the MMFF Newsletter Number 36 (pages 11-17) about the monument dedicated to Jane Manning James by the Genesis Group and MMFF in the Salt Lake City Cemetery in April 2005. In one of the photos below, you can see an image of Jane Manning James bringing flour to Eliza Partridge.
Below are photos of Jane Manning James's gravesite in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. The inscription reads:
JANE ELIZABETH MANNING JAMES
"I try in my feeble way to set a good example for all."
Born free in 1882 (should be 1822), Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Baptized LDS in 1841. She led a group of family members to Nauvoo, Illinois in 1843.
"Our feet cracked open and bled until you could see the whole prints of our feet with blood on the ground."
Jane lived with Joseph, Emma, and Mother Smith.
"Brother Joseph sat down by me and said, 'God bless you. You are among friends.'"
Married Isaac James around 1845.
Arrived in Salt Lake September 22, 1847.
"Oh how I suffered of cold and hunger, but the Lord gave us faith and grace to stand it all."
Shared half her flour with Eliza Partridge Lyman, who was near starving.
Died April 16, 1908, outliving all but two of her eight children.
"But we went on our way rejoicing, singing hymns, and thanking God for His infinite goodness and mercy to us."
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Commemoration of the Return of the Apostles
By President Russel R. Cannon
President of the Missouri Area Historic Sites of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
26 April 2020
President Cannon spoke on the history of Far West and the Apostles return to Far West before leaving for the missionary work in Europe.
This video is a recording of his presentation.
Click here to listen to Dave McEwen's full presentation on Far West!
To hear mention of the Apostles Return to Far West, watch the video at (40:00) minutes.
 | The Eight Witnesses Monument:
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 | The Eight Witnesses Monument: A Story of Miracles
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 | Independence Walking Tour15 Oct 2022 (Saturday) @ 10 am
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The Whitmers' Final Journey of Faith @ Richmond
10 September 2022 (Saturday)
10:00 am (CT)
By Princess Barchers Coughlin (direct descendant of Jacob Whitmer) and Keith Bowen (MMFF President)
Jacob Whitmer was a citizen of Richmond from 1838 until his death in 1856 and was one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.
Driving/walking tour:* Meet at Pioneer Cemetery at 10:00 am (103 Crispin Street, Richmond, MO 64085)
(Reminder: Bring your own water and lawn chair if you prefer to sit during the presentations.)
The tour will include:
- Pioneer Cemetery (including the gravesites of Oliver Cowdery, Peter and Mary Whitmer, and Jacob Whitmer)
- David Whitmer gravesite at Richmond Cemetery
- Jacob Whitmer Homesite
- Old Ray County Jail Site
- Peter and Mary Whitmer Homesite
- David Whitmer Homesite
- David Whitmer Livery Stable Site
- Alexander W. Doniphan Statue
- Old Log House Prison**
- 144th Anniversary of the 1878 Richmond Tornado MMFF Newsletter # 43
Click HERE for a document with the tour event addresses and driving directions.
*The first four sites will be driven to. The last 5 sites will be a walking tour (about 1 mile). For those who are unable to walk, an itinerary with addresses will be handed out at Pioneer Cemetery for driving, or the above link can be accessed from your phone.
**After being found pushed over last year, the marker at this location was repaired by Larry Richerson of Caldwell County, Missouri and recently reset by MMFF Pres Keith Bowen. For history of the original setting, see the MMFF Newsletters #45, #46 and #47 .
In case of inclement weather, check the website or call Keith at 816-808-9211 for alternate plans.
Anyone wishing to also visit the Ray County Museum, which has a Mormon History Room, may do so after the tour. The museum is located at 901 W Royal Street and is open from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm on this day.
In addition, other local community events also happening on this day will be at the Farris Theatre (301 W Main St, Richmond, MO):
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2:00 pm – Annual Whitmer Symposium
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4:00 pm – David Whitmer Community Service Award Presentation
 | 175th Anniversary of the Mormon Trail Across NebraskaCo-sponsored by the Mormon Trail Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 18-19 August 2022 This was at the Mormon Trail Center in Omaha, Nebraska. This year's program will be recorded. Click HERE for the Facebook page link for announcements and updates. Click HERE for the flier with the itinerary and map.
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Hidden Things Shall Come to Light: The Visual Image of Joseph Smith, Jr.
By Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation on 3 August 2022
Ron Romig and Lachlan Mackay discuss the recent finding of a historical daguerreotype.
I
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Zion's Camp
188th Anniversary
By MMFF President Keith Bowen
25 June 2022
Video coming soon!
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Saluda Disaster
170th Anniversary
By MMFF President Keith Bowen
30 April 2022
The Saluda Disaster occurred
19 April 1852 near Lexington, MO.
Video coming soon!
"From Kanesville to Council Bluffs" Symposium
175th Anniversary Symposium
Sponsored by The Mormon Trail Center at Winter Quarters, Nebraska and Others
20, 21 August 2021
This unique gathering was designed to celebrate three important 175th anniversaries:
first, the successful completion of the Mormon Exodus across Iowa in 1846;
second, the founding of the city of Council Bluffs originally called Kanesville;
and finally, the anniversary of Iowa statehood.
Symposium Outline (live links to each session)
 | True to the End: The Martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith Sponsored by the Interpreter Foundation
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 | The Latter-day Saints' Experience in Clay County, MO By Professor Alex Baugh Sponsored by Kansas City BYU Alumni Virtual Fireside (scroll down to 1/25/21 for the replay)
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Five Foundational Legacies of Faith at Adam-ondi-Ahman
By Ken Wilcock, former Adam-ondi-Ahman Senior Missionary on 20 May 2022
Revelation on Adam-ondi-Ahman; events from the lives of Father Adam, Lyman Wight, William Huntingdon, Harrison Burgess and 'Uncle' John Smith. Click HERE to watch the presentation.
 | Foundations of Faith from Adam-ondi-Ahman
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Alexander and Eunice Fitzgerald McRae
By Vern Wilson (3rd Great-Grandson and former Independence, MO Senior Missionary)
The 183rd anniversary of the Release of Joseph Smith and others from Liberty Jail (6 April 1839) and their subsequent Escape at Yellow Creek (16 April 1839) as told through the history of one who was with Joseph. Click HERE for paper on Alexander McRae.
Biography of Vern Wilson
 | Original Temple Lot in Independence 15 November 2019
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 | Healing the Ties That Bind
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Kimberly Jo Smith's Series:
"The Family of Joseph Smith In Missouri and After the Martyrdom"
Part I: The Smith Family in Missouri: 1837-1839:
An accounting of events that led up to leaving Kirtland, the journey of ALL of the Smith family and how it impacted their lives, their individual and joint struggles in Missouri, and the exodus to Illinois. (21 May 2022)
Part II: I have no friend but God, and no place to go but home." (The Reconstruction Period):
Transformations and Adaptations: The life of Emma Smith after 1844. This covered Emma after the death of Joseph. Her life was literally a series of transformations of events that required her to adapt quickly and many times on the move. When Joseph died she had to adapt once again, becoming one of the most well-loved citizens in Nauvoo. (22 May 2022)
Part III: A complexity of Settlement: The Estate of Joseph Smith:
Kimberly Jo reviewed an accounting of the ten-year process of settling the estate of Joseph Smith, Jr., who died without a will. The ending result affected the Smith family, many members of the Church, and even those in the high reaches of the U.S. Government. (31 July 2022)
Part IV: Healing the Ties that Bind: Kimberly's Story of Discovery:
Kimberly Jo discussed why Emma stayed in Nauvoo, what divided the Smith family, her personal conversion story, and how the Smith family descendants are healing and uniting as a family today. (26 August 2022)
Videos coming soon!
Biography of Kimberly Jo Smith
 | POSTPONED By Apostle Lachlan Mackay of Community of Christ. Join us to explore the stories of the Smith's eleven children.
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Apostles Return to the Far West Temple Site
Sponsored by MMFF - April 2016
 | This Promised Land
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