Since we have been on our Mission these past 2 1/2 months, there are a lot of people that we have meet, that we consider "Famous". This blog is going to be about some of these people that we have had the privilege to meet.
One day, Susan Easton Black walked in our Visitor Center in Independence, MO. She had her camera man with her and they took pictures all around the center. She is making a children's video and maybe a book of Church History Sites and we just happen to be on shift the day she came in. They just took photos, no speaking parts at our center.
After, they were with us, they went to the Liberty Jail. There she gave some history while standing in front of the Jail. The Sisters said it was very interesting and insightful, because she added a lot more information than what we have in our guide book to tell. It will be fun to see the finished product!
Another person that we recognized as they came into our Visitor Center was Rebecca Lockhart, member of the Utah House of Representatives and currently serving as Speaker of the House.
She had a daughter that had been working as an apprentice for Senator Hatch these past 2 years and she and another daughter came out to help drive her home. They were visiting the Historical Sites on their way back to Utah. Of course, Elder Godfrey had a great time visiting with them.
Jim Bridger was among the foremost mountain men, trappers, scouts and guides who explored and trapped the Western United States during the decades of 1820-1850. In 1825 he and other mountain men spent around four years in the Salt Lake Valley/Wasatch Front area, as they trapped the region.
In June 1847 Bridger had his first encounter with the Mormon pioneers near the mouth of the Little Sandy River. Jim Bridger informed Brigham Young that it is unwise to bring such a large group into the Salt Lake Valley, until it could be demonstrated that it would be possible to raise grain there. In the Journal History it reads that Jim Bridger would give $1,000 if he only knew if we could raise an ear or bushel of corn in that valley. The Saints proved him wrong.
He had sent this large case, ahead of him, to our Visitor Center, which he used in his work. He arrived a few days later.
He explained that the church, finally, after two years of negotiating with the Community of Christ Church (RLDS), was being permitted to photograph and digitized the original, printer's copy of the Book of Mormon. He worked for about two weeks, every day until the project was complete.
He was really excited to be involved in this project. He also said there are a lot more things that the Community of Christ Church own that he saw in their archives that hopefully, someday, we can again have access to.
Tour Guide Daniel Rona
If you have ever been on the tour of the Holy Land, you might recognize this man, Daniel Rona. He was born in Israel, is an LDS leader in Israel, has residence in Israel, participated in the development of the Jerusalem Center and is a Mormon and a Jew. (Does this sound like an "I am a Mormon" ad?)
He brought a tour group through our Visitor Center on a Historic Church History Tour. Once he said he name, I recognized him. I have always wanted to go to the Holy Land and had thought he would be a great tour guide.
She, her two sisters and husband visited Liberty Jail the beginning of the day. One sister needed a wheel chair which was provided. Sister Mendez, took them on the presentation, along with a few more people.
Once they had finished and they were in the exit room, Sister Hartmann came up to Sister Mendez and thanked her and told her she wanted to send her something. Sister Hartmann explaned to our sister that she had written a song, just before she had left on a mission years ago and the song was "I'll Find You My Friend." Our Sister Mendez was so excited to meet her because she is a great singer and had song this song about 10 times at different farewells before she got her call to our mission.
They went to the piano room and Linda Hartmann played the piano while Sister Mendez song the song. Her companion taped it for her. This was one of the highlights of Sister Mendez's mission so far, she said.
After they left Liberty Jail, they came to Independence Visitor Center, in which we were the Senior Couple on shift. Sister Hartmann came in and said her sisters were tired and could not make it in but would we send a couple of sisters out to the van, that was parked out in front, and there tell them about our center and the history that took place here in Independence. They did and again she thanked them and said she would send them something. We received in the mail her sheet music to "I'll Find You My Friend" and a personal note and signature on copies for the 5 Senior Couples and the Sisters that taught them.
I know, this was a favorite song for my girls when they were Young Women and played it often on the piano. I now have my own personally signed copy of it.
The last of our "Famous People": my Sister and Brother-in-law, Lynne and Leroy Likes, that came to visit us last week. It was really nice to have them come and for us to share what we are doing on our mission. They visited our center and then on our PD we took them around to many of the Historic Sites. We also enjoy eating out with them.
These two pictures where taken at a l933 Restaurant "Stroud's" which was, at one time, an old log cabin home on a beautiful pond lot. It since has been added on to the cabin and made into a delicious fried chicken restaurant. This was a fun evening out.
The last place we visited before they left was the Sunken Steamboat, which I have already blogged about. This is a picture taken in front of the wall display about the Mormons that traveled on Steamboats like this one, from the East on their way West to "Zion".
Thanks for coming and visiting us. We really enjoyed your stay.
As you can see, if any of you would like to come and visit us and tour some of the Historical Sites in our Mission, we will include you in our "Famous People" that have been in our area.
We love you all. Come visit when you can.
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