johnson farm

About 45 minutes outside of Kirtland, is a little place called Hiram. This is where the Johnson farm is located. I'd say that this farm was definitely one of our favorites and most memorable. John and Elsa Johnson were very prominent and wealthy citizens in the community. Elsa's had rheumatiod arthritis in her arm which left it almost completely useless. She was healed by J.S. through the power of the priesthood. John and Elsa invited J.S. and Emma to live with them for a time and many memorable things took place here during that time. Eventually the Johnsons concecrated their entire farm to the church. A look at the house.

The gorgeous farmland surrounding it.

Us on the doorstep where J.S. gave a sermon after being tarred and feathered.

This is the room where section 76 was received (and many other revelations too). This was the headquarters of the church for a period of time. Again, not quite the size of the church office building!

Our tour guides were Elder & Sister Dalton. We don't know them, but they were absolutely fabulous guides. We happened to be the only ones on the farm during our time there, so we got their full attention! The boys all got to try on this yoke. It was used to carry water to the house from a nearby stream.

Attaching a couple of wooden buckets to this yoke would sure make it heavy! This would have been one of the jobs for the kids too!

The woodwork in the house is all the original stuff, and it is amazing. Look at the design in the wood door!

Again, check out the wood mantel around the original fireplace.

This picture shows the colorful wood floor in its orginal condition, i.e. before polishing it up.

Now, check out the floor design in its polished up state! It seems Elsa Johnson could have been the Martha Stewart of her time!

This room (above) is where J.S., Emma, and their twins were sleeping the night that the prophet was dragged from his bed, tarred, and feathered by a mob of about 50 men. We learned that they tried to force poison down his throat, but the tar covered his mouth and nose and prevented him from being poisoned. As we know, they chipped a front tooth in the process of trying to force the poison. I am so glad we were able to visit this farm!