Kirtland, OH

We took a day trip up to Kirtland, OH to see some of the historic sites of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We enjoyed the company of our friends Gabe and his fiance, Alexia.

American Gothic?

We got a tour of the Kirtland Temple, which is now owned by the Community of Christ, formally the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was a good experience. While the general land scape was barren from winter, the weather was warming up and the tour group was small allowing us to see all three floors of the Temple. I admire how great the building was, but I couldn't help but recognize the similarities and big differences between this, the first temple built by the saints and later temples built. Not just architecturally, but functionally too.

We also spent some time in the reconstructed 'Historic Kirtland' owned and operated by the Church. It was fun to see, hear, and think of the events in the context and setting they happened. 

So, I've been thinking about something and wanted to pose a question. What is the relationship between spiritual places and spiritual experiences?

I was thinking about a conversation I had with one my Muslim friends, in which we were talking about sacred places. I think I had asked him about Mecca and the Dome of the Rock. In that conversation he mentioned that he didn't personally believe these places held any special 'cosmic force' that made them more spiritual than other places in the world and that going there wouldn't necessarily enhance his ability to be a better person. Being in Kirtland, I reflected on that conversation because I do believe that there are places set apart on earth where we can have spiritual experiences more easily than any other places. Temples are built for this purpose. They are set apart and dedicated to be a place for God. A place for his ordinances to be done. However, I also agree with my friend, in that there are places where spiritually significant events have happened, that don't necessarily ensure a personal enlightenment for those who make the pilgrimage.  However, while pondering this I thought, it is still possible that a person, while at a historical site and in the right state of mind can have extremely powerful experiences, in fact testimony building and faith promoting experiences. So, Kirtland is a mixed bag that brought all these thoughts to the surface. It is where the first temple in the latter days was built and dedicated to the Lord. It was abandoned/sold and is no longer used the way it was intended, nor is it set up to do the ordinances that we now perform in temples, but it is one of these historical sites where great spiritual experiences and manifestations happened before and after the saints inhabited it.

Again the question, What is the relationship between spiritual places and spiritual experiences? In a slightly different wording, what are the differences and/or similarities between having a spiritual experience

1. Worshiping in a sacred and holy place, like the Temple

2. Visiting a historic site like Jeruselum, The Sacred Grove, Kirtland

3. Personal study or prayerful inquiries about truth, like the events that happened at the aforementioned places. 

Leave a comment and start a discussion if you'd like. 

You can see more pictures on the album I created.

Williamsburg to Yorktown Battlefield

Williamsburg
I feel inclined to finish the account of our visit to Virginia and America's Historic Triangle. As mentioned in earlier posts we started with Jamestowne. Progressing through time our next visit was Williamsburg. This is a really fun place to visit because the whole city has been restored or preserved and they have people dressed and role playing as if they were from the time period right before the revolutionary war, the early 1770's. They have shops set up where artisans are creating products just as they would have back in the day. I guess it is pretty hard to get an apprenticeship there. I really enjoyed talking with them and learning about how they got their apprenticeships, how/why the were interested in devoting so much time to them. It takes several years to progress form an apprentice to a journeyman, to a master. They have great information on the time period and give perspective on what it was like living in the time. The highlight locations for me were: The Court House, The Governor's "Palace", Furniture shop(They had a harpsichord you could play), the tailor, and the coffee house (hot chocolate). We missed talking with some of the bigger names in town like Patrick Henry, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson.

It was great being there this time of year. No lines to get in and out of shops and tours and no hot humid weather. The down side was we didn't get to see the gardens in full bloom.

Mckay playing the harpsichord.The Governors "Palace.
Leather wall paper in one of the rooms.

Yorktown Battlefield
Our last stop was the Yorktown battlefield. This is where the last major battle of the revolutionary war was fought. General George Washington and the French cornered General Cornwallis and a large British Army in Yorktown. The French Navy kept the British Navy from showing up to bail out General Cornwallis. 8,000 troops surrendered. The trenches that both sides made during the siege have been recreated and old artillery is still in place. Interesting to see. At the state 'Victory Park' there was a camp setup with role players in it. They showed us around a camp and fired one of the guns. It was informative. The trenches were the most amazing thing to me. To think that the 17,000 troops put them up in just days with the equipment they had boggles my mind.

You can see all our pictures from the week at our Williamsburg album.

Those interested in Ira pictures can see the Ira album.