The weather was perfect for camping! This was good, because now maybe the Bishop will come out with us in the future. I was afraid it would be so hot that it would make the camping miserable and no one would ever want to go on one of these things again. We had several firsts for this trip. Since I have been in YM it was the first time that any of the following people had been camping with us.
Bishop Ra.
Mike P.
Donn B.
Cody Co.
Rhett Co.
Spencer L.
Jordan S.
It would have been both Spencer and Jordan’s first scout campout. They did well. Of course they slept under the stars so we did not get to witness their tent pitching abilities. We will see that next time.
Before we left, Bishop Ru. and the boys were tossing around the football. As I was loading the trailer, TJ tossed it to me but forgot to mention that fact. I got socked right in the gut, it hurt. Well, after we left the church we had a fairly uneventful drive to Lamar, MO. The boys in my car (Jordan R., Jordan S., Brandon B., Matt L, Spencer L) watched “The Other side of heaven” while giving us an in-depth commentary on Ann Hathaway’s positive attributes. (Jordan R. was the real drive behind this effort with comments such as “A. H. is sooo hot” or “I think A. H. wants to marry me” etc.)
After the movie we took a break from driving at a MickeyD’s in Lamar, MO. It was about the mid way point. The boys gathered around and gawked at one of those movie dispensing machines. Other than that it was rather uneventful. We drove on the entire way to Kearney. The three cars had gotten a bit separated on the highway so we met at a gas station where the boys again played a little football, this time without injury to my person. They also began dancing a little bit of the Hakka in the gas station parking lot.
From here camp was only 6-8 miles away. We got there and we had the camp to ourselves. It was a nice campsite with the gravel parking lot only 10-20 yards from our freshly mowed, under th
e trees campsite. Many of the boys slept under the stars. Blake was going to impress us with his “Tarp Hammock”. It was a nice theory but Blake is not a small kid anymore, plus the age of the tarp just was not conducive to load bearing applications, so the hammock came down….not what he was hoping for. Nick and Dallin on the other hand had the right idea. They slept outside but no tarp hammock, they had cots. I think though they might have been a little light on the blankets. They both looked cold in the morning. Cody Ca. and Bro. P. slept on top of the two picnic tables we had at the camp and claim they were rather comfortable. (Bro. P. noted in his talk last Sunday about mistaking the Bishop's snoring with a bear, well he wasn't kidding. He told me he woke up and shined his flashlight around to see if there were animals in the camp.) Several of the younger ones slept on the ground……at least I think they slept, when I fell asleep it was to the sound of rather high pitch giggling and wrestling and ……..other bodily noises. (ahh…the sounds of nature) 
The Brethren gathered to inspect a perfectly normal tree. (I honestly have no idea what we were looking at)
It took the Deacons a little time to settle down after we arrived
SCENES OF THE SLEEPING SCOUTS
Andrew, Cody and Rhett
TJ, Matt and an unidentified Deacon (I think Spencer and Jordan S. was in there)
SIDE NOTE: Both Matt and TJ were up in a reasonable amount of time both days!
The Blob
Nick and Dallin
Robin B., nice bed, bad pose
I was very pleased with the boys on Friday Morning. I believe they set a new troop record for time it takes to tear down camp. Usually this process takes an unreasonable amount of time and excessive adult leader harping. On Friday, we started waking up at 7:00am and camp was torn down, breakfast ate and boys were in the cars before 8:00am AMAZING!!!! It was a miracle, of course that might have had something to do with Bro. Bew being there to encourage Brandon along in his efforts.
Thanks Bishop Ru. for a beutiful picture of the outhouse
Our first stop was Independence, MO. Independence is the county seat of Jackson County and is the initial area to which the early saints migrated. It was here that the first persecutions arose in Missouri and it is where Joseph dedicated the temple lot. 24 temples were to be built, 12 for the Aaronic priesthood and 12 for the Melchezidec. Here the complete restoration was to occur. We parked in the LDS visitor center parking lot and walked across the temple lot to an area that had a fountain and some benches. It turns out the land was international property, governed by the UN, it was dedicated near the spot that Harry Truman announced the US involvement in the UN. There we 
had our first devotional of the day and it was quite good. We sang “Come, Come Ye Saints”. Dallin Russo read from the book of Moses, he read the section that discussed Enoch and the idea of Zion, which was appropriate since we were now in the heart of the future Zion, the New Jerusalem. TJ Eastman bore his testimony regarding the restoration and Joseph Smith. The spirit was very noticeable during these talks. We were outside at the corner of two streets with cars driving by every few seconds, and the fountain in the background made it hard to hear, but I think it made us concentrate, because each boy was reverent and engaged. We closed by singing “Onward Christian Soldiers” 
From this picture it is clear that our troop has really cool leaders.
Dallin, participating in the first devotional
The Boys outside of the 'Church of Christ at Temple Lot'
The Temple Lot is now divided into three sections. The original area which was dedicated as the cornerstone of one of the temples is owned by the “Church of Christ at Temple Lot”. We visited 
their small church, and was given a short presentation by one of their 12 apostles (I think he may have been one of their original apostles…lets just say he was no spring chicken). The impressive part of this stop is seeing the markers that were laid for the southeast cornerstones in 1831. This stone was recovered when the Church of Christ decided to build the temple. In February 1927, Otto Fetting, an apostle of the Church of Christ told his people that John the Baptist had visited him and urged him to build the temple. Ground was broken on April 6th 1929 and during the excavation, they found the cornerstones that were buried nearly 100 years earlier. The church ran into financial problems and never 
completed their work. The excavation was filled in and no other attempt has been made to build the temple.
Community of Christ Temple
This is the RLDS (Community of Christ) Temple, it sits on the greater temple lot and was described by one of the boys as the Ice Cream temple. (Note the resemblence to a softserve ice cream cone)
Following our visit at the temple lot church, we then headed across the street to the large temple that belongs to the Community of Christ (the former reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). The boys excitedly ran up the stairs, slid down the slide rails, ran around on the world map and did some general exploring of the grounds. I would have stopped them if it seemed inappropriate but it seemed perfectly in place and it was then that Bro. P. mentioned the 
stark difference in behavior that these YM have at the OKC Temple, as compared to the Community of Christ Temple. At OKC they are always on good behavior and are reverent. But the spirit was just different 
at this ‘temple’. It is a nice building with interesting architecture. One of the boys called it the “Ice Cream Building” because it resembles a soft serve ice cream on top of a cone. But the spirit does not seem to say "This spot is sacred".
The highlight of the temple tour for me was their little museum. It was really interesting with two original pages of the transcript from Joseph’s inspired version of the bible (The Joseph Smith Translation) in the hand writing of Oliver Cowdrey and Sidney Rigdon. They also had the original door from the liberty jail and many other interesting artifacts. They also had a book store with many Herald Publishing books. I couldn't resist so I bought a "Revised Authorized" version of the Book of Mormon.They then showed us a short video describing some of the history of their church, some we held in common and some that we do not. I did note that when describing the first vision that they said that “Joseph had an experience with the Divine” an interesting way to describe it. Bishop Ru. informed me later that he thinks they believe in the trinity such as is described in the council of Nice and in the Athenasius Creed, as does the majority of Christendom, not in 3 seperate beings as taught by the Prophet. After the video we were brought by our very friendly tour guide, to a small chapel area.
This was our very freindly tour guide
Knowing that we were LDS he outlined some of the differences between our religion and theirs. In their church both women and men may have the priesthood. They have the Aaronic and Melchezidek priesthood but one does not necessarily proceed the other and they have a looser interpretation of the WoW, at least our tour guide did. Of course they have no temple ceremonies and thus there temple is more of a meeting house with a large chapel where you can see all the way to the top of the structure. It was overall an interesting visit.
Why are these guys laying around in the floor of their temple?
Can anyone tell me what they are doing?
Yes Cody......."I know, Iknow....They are taking Pictures"
Of What?
.
The Top
Thus far the historic tour had been going wonderfully and the spirit had attended our group. After the plan of salvation presentation, we were taken downstairs to view the history part of the tour. It was good as well. All of it was video presentations followed by short sermons from the sisters. The whole visitor center had been redone since the last time I was there and I enjoyed the whole thing, even if I was by this time getting hungry. I unfortunately was the last one to go up stairs so I don’t know if any of the boys took the time to notice the Christus statue in the Lobby. I hope they did but am afraid they didn’t. I pointed it out to one of the stragglers and he responded by saying “Oh cool”. It is such a majestic and humbling piece of art.
There was a good deal of time spent in the kiddy section of the visitor center
Well, after the LDS tour we ate sandwiches outside. The weather was still perfect. It was as if God did not want the boys to be able to focus on anything but the spirit of the Lord, so he cooled off the skies so they wouldn’t be distracted. Lunch was jovial and light with some Frisbee and football. Afterward we made a short stop at a gas station to get ice. At least it should have been a short stop, instead it took forever. This was partially the gas station’s fault for being slow but by in large it was the boys taking their time. 
Finally back on the road we got to liberty jail where we where brought into a chapel and given an in depth dissertation on the history of the church in Missouri and the history of the Liberty Jail by a senior Elder who was working there. Though this half hour tour of the Jail was stretched into an hour plus, the tour was a resounding success. It was neat to sit down right in front of the jail and hear the recorded narrative. The spirit was there and I think the boys felt it. Liberty Jail is the place where Joseph Smith and his fellows were locked up for some four months. It is now 
revered as a Temple-Prison because of the transformation of Joseph in the jail and the great inspiration that was received there. Just think of what occurred in the life of the prophet after Joseph’s ‘release’ in April 1839. It was afterward that he built the city of Nauvoo, built the temple in Nauvoo, restored the temple rights in the upper floor of his Nauvoo red brick store. Celestial marriage was revealed, the King Follett funeral service was given and Missionary work really began to pick up. In Liberty the man was refined into
a Prophet of power. In jail some of the most comforting scriptures of all time was given. These passages was in direct response to Joseph’s circumstances. During the devotional given after the tour, Rhett read a verse out of section 122:
“and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to
prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb”This scripture brought chills as I recalled the account from the documented history of the church, which tells us that Joseph and the others after being betrayed into the hands of the enemy by his supposed friend, George Hinckle, was drug into the enemy camp and was chained, beaten, kicked, spit upon and mocked. Some would say “If you are a prophet free yourselves” or “what do you think about your God now”. Others forced them to listen to accounts of the rape, murder and plunder of their people and they laughed. The howls of that mob could be hea
rd from a great distance away that night as they spent a sleepless night outside. Joseph was sentenced to death that night and was to be shot the next day. They were allowed to see their families one last time. Two armed men took Joseph in to see his sick Emma but was not allowed to hold her and when his oldest boy grabbed his leg, presumably asking “Daddy what are these men going to do with you” he couldn’t answer and the six year old was drug away from his helpless father, for what surely would be the last time they would ever speak. Oh what agony that would be for me! What a merciful God we see in that scripture, speaking, not in metaphors but speaking to the actual situation of Joseph.After we ended the extended tour at liberty, we were led to a small chapel on the bottom floor of the jail so that we could hold our devotional. We opened
by singing “Praise to the Man” then Bro. P spoke briefly about the difference between the spirit at our temple vs. the RLDS temple plus he bore a powerful testimony. Rhett read some selections from D&C121-123 some of which is described above. Then Brandon gave a short sermon and testimony regarding the prophet Joseph, Liberty Jail and the persecutions of the saints. They all did an excellent job and then we ended with “We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet”. Robin B prayed for us and was obviously moved by the spirit of the place during his prayer.We left liberty and headed for Far West. We used the direction I got off of google earth, which in most cases is a good idea. This time, it was not. Though the directions were accurate, it gave us an extended ride down dirt country roads, the weather was nice so the boys rolled down the windows to enjoy the fresh air. Far West itself was very interesting for me, since it was the only place that I had not been on our tour. There was a small building there with facilities but not much else. Outside there was a fenced in area where the temple cornerstones were laid. Each stone was visible and encased in glass; One stone for the lesser priesthood, one for the high priesthood, one for the council of twelve and one for the first presidency.
Here are the four cornerstone placards of the Far West Temple
Pics of our Far West Devotional
At the front was a large monument, maybe 12-20 feet high with some scripture and history 
engraved on it. Our devotional this time was opened by singing “High on A Mountain Top” we then heard from a very well prepared Jordan S who gave a good account of Joseph’s first vision. After that, Brian R spoke about Far West and how the saints and eventually Joseph Smith settled there. He described some of the political reasons that they came and how they were forced out. It was very informative for me, as I was not overly familiar of the history of the place. We closed by singing “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”
We all took a picture out in front of the Far West sign and then jumped in the cars. We decided to 
stop at a little country store that was within view from the Far West Temple site. I think we were all a little surprised to find out as we walked in that this was not a country store but rather a Deseret Book Store. We spent a few minutes pursuing the shelves and some really in depth spiritual items were purchased; things like a “pick up sticks” kid’s game and one of those toys that have several boards attached by three strings that when the first one flops down the rest follow. (You would know what I was talking 
about if you saw it)
Well, when we left it was getting to be late afternoon, the sun was out and the temperature was holding at near perfect, especially for August. In our van on this leg of the trip Jordan R. started talking about some gospel related topics and the entire car full of boys got into what he described as “intense discussion”. Asking about Adam-Ondi-Ahman, our next destination, we read some scripture out of section 107 in the Doctrine and Covenants, discussed the Dead Sea Scrolls and other ancient texts, and discussed the second coming of Christ along with other assorted topics. I have to apologize a little bit, because every once in a while a certain topic is brought up or something is said that just throws a switch in my head and I began an in depth and ad nauseum dissertation on a particular gospel topic, only occasionally coming up for a breath. This was one of those cases.
At any rate, this was the mood of the trip, at least in the car that I was in. It was less horseplay and more reflection. It was less goofing off and more thoughtfulness. I believe it was due to the spirit that attended us throughout the day, from the quick teardown of camp to this moment in the trip. This spirit continued with us as we arrived at Adam-Ondi-Ahman. We first gazed over an outlook point out into the valley and Nick serenaded us with his guitar. Looking out over the valley it is easy to imagine a massive gathering of priesthood down there. Looking out over the valley it is easy to imagine the 
following scene found in section 107.Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah, who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing. And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel. And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him: I have set thee to be at the head; a multitude of nations shall come of thee, and thou art a prince over them forever. And Adam stood up in the midst of the congregation; and, notwithstanding he was bowed down with age, being full of the Holy Ghost, predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation. (D&C 107:53-56)
Or as it is described in an ancient text discovered after the death of Joseph Smith;
“0 Seth, my son bring me thy children and thy children's children, that I may shed my blessing on them ere I die.” When Seth heard these words from his father Adam, he went from him, shed a flood of tears over his face, and gathered together his children and his children's children, and brought them to his father Adam. But when our father Adam saw them around him, he wept at having to be separated from them. And when they saw him weeping, they all wept together, and fell upon his face saying, "How shalt thou be severed from us, 0 our father? And how shall the earth receive thee and hide thee from our eyes?" Thus did they lament much, and in like words. Then our father Adam blessed them all (The Second Book of Adam and Eve 8:1-6)
These words rang in my ears as we began our devotional. You could almost see Father Adam standing amid his posterity and giving them his last will and testament. Our devotional was held at a spot in Adam-Ondi-Ahman called ‘Tower Hill’. This is the spot that Joseph revealed as a place where the Nephites had built an alter. It is on a different ridge of the valley but still has a wonderful view. We opened by singing a very powerful “Battle Hymn of The Republic”. We even had a family or two stop to listen to us sing. The words “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord” seemed most appropriate as here the glory of the Lord would be seen prior to his second coming and here we were with our own eyes viewing this sacred ground.
Spencer L began the meeting by reading out of section 84 and bearing his testimony which came across very strong, even at his young age. This was followed by Cody Co,
who also read a scripture and bore his testimony. Those deacons, all five of them that came with us were most impressive. Bishop Ra related to me that he saw them as little kittens who were constantly giggling and wrestling and jumping around, well that is a very true statement, however, these YM are not far from becoming great leaders in the church and feeling of their testimony really allowed that to be displayed on this trip. After those two, Blake got up to speak and he read a scripture, D&C1:30 and related it to the restoration of the gospel, he then bore his testimony and got a little choked up while speaking. By this time I think the spirit had touched each of us and it was hard not to shed a tear or two now. After Blake, it was Nick’s turn. He stood and spoke about the place where we stood, Adam-Ondi-Ahman. In his talk he reminded the boys that they 
now stood where Adam, Enoch and the others stood. That they actually walked today where Jesus walked. It was, as each of them had been, a superb talk and the spirit by now was unmistakable. So when we sang the closing song “The Spirit of God” I was done, I couldn’t hold it back anymore. I looked at this group of boys with the valley behind them and I couldn’t help to weep a little as I thought how much of my time, energy, blood, sweat, heart and soul was 
invested in them and how much I cared for and loved each of them. I was moved by the spirit and was overjoyed that the Lord had let us have such a grand experience together. I have never hear that song sung any better than that day. This was topped off by Bishop Rawlinson closing our Spiritual journey with a powerful prayer, where only more tears were shed.
We then dried our eyes, climbed in the cars and went bowling. We rented out the entire bowling alley (6 lanes) in this little town (Plattsburg) and bowled for three hours straight. I did not see any of them that will be turning pro anytime soon, me included, but it was a lot of fun. We even turned off the lanes, and did the Hakka in the bowling alley. Our audience was two people, the couple that ran the bowling alley. Our boys devoured 14 large pizzas and the bowling alley gave us an old bowling pin that we each signed as a memento of our trip.The next morning we ate breakfast at my sister’s house and I got half of the group lost somehow, delaying our trip slightly. We headed home about 10:00am and it started raining at 10:30am. It didn’t stop until we nearly had reached the Church. So our stuff all got soaked. Minor detail. This trip for me was wonderful. Friday night I got on my knees in my tent and thanked Heavenly Father for such a miraculous journey. I am so glad that Pres. Johnson allowed us to go. If any of you see him, please thank him for his wise and inspired direction. It was so wonderful to get to talk about items in our religion that we just normally do not discuss, we got to share our testimonies with each other, and we got to see the sites of the beginnings of this world, the beginnings of this Church and the sites of many events connected to the grand second coming. We explored the origins of the church, the split at Nauvoo after Joseph’s death. We discussed the temple, the restoration of all things, the signs and preparation for the second coming Jesus, the hardships of the early saints, the prophet Joseph, and the great role of the Saviour in our lives; most importantly though we were touched by the spirit of God. He was with us, and he touched my heart. I believe he touched the heart of each of the twenty men and boys that were there. For that I thank God greatly.
