I could hear the carousel music echoing down the streets of an old run down town on the edge of the Kansas state line. Occasionally a person would walk around the corner of a brick building and give me an odd look like I wasn't supposed to be there. I'm sure Mulder had walked these streets years ago investigating some oddity that everyone there new about but no one would talk about. It was surreal.
After Leavenworth, I made my way to the Liberty Jail Church Historic Site. I walked in the front door wishing I had been a little neater in my appearance but it was too late. The senior couple jumped up from their seats and began excitedly talking my ear off! I was the only one there and they began my tour.
You know. A lot of people think Joseph Smith was a charlatan. There are a lot of people who get hung up on the oddities and half truths that surround the early church. I am not going to address any of those things here. I'm only going to talk about my experience today and this is what I have to say:
Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.
D&C 121:45-46
And,
7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?
9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.
D&C 122:7-9
These are only a few verses from what Joseph penned as revelation from God while unjustly being imprisoned in a cramped, dark dungeon for nearly five months while awaiting trial.
You can talk about Egyptian papyrus and polygamy all you like, but these chapters in the Doctrine and Covenants are some of the most astounding, profound, insightful, and beautifully written pieces of literature ever penned and anyone would be hard pressed to argue otherwise.
My visit to the jail was also surreal but it was different than Leavenworth. And I just can't find a way to describe it. The church truly is an anomaly when contrasted with the rest of the workings of this world and it makes me smirk when I think about it. On the large scale, I feel like it's almost invisible even though it's right there in front of everyone. It's odd. But I am grateful to be apart of it.
After my tour of Liberty Jail I began the trek across Missouri. I headed east toward the Gateway Arch. I was there in no time. And after driving through some intense inner city construction I found a place to park. I was disappointed that it had closed just shortly before I arrived so I spent some time taking some pictures from the ground. And then I made my way toward a bed. Yes, an actual bed! One with Buzz Lightyear watching over it non the less. I am grateful. But I am also exhausted. So I am going to say goodnight. Goodnight.
PS. Writing these entries takes longer than you'd think especially when I write about the church because I don't want to write anything concerning it in a raucous tone or say anything off kilter. I don't have time to review a lot so you have to forgive me if anything odd gets put in to these posts. And I'd hope you'd understand my intentions if they do. If anyone is wondering what my intentions are, it's this: to learn as much as I can of this world, to love as many people as I can, and to live my life as my conscience commands.
