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Show 1 J A I 4 HIRAM, OHIO historic John Johnson home, where Smith received 15 revelations, was dedicated May 5 by Elder Mark E. Petersen of the Council of the Twelve. Here the Savior appeared to the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon before they received the vision of the Three Degrees of Glory. The t It was also at the Johnson home that Joseph Smith on March 24, 1832 was dragged, beaten, and tarred by a mob. John Johnson, who built the home in 1830, was one of the first members of the Church in Ohic. Two of his sons, Luke and Lyman, were named to the first Council of the Twelve in February 1835. His daughter, Marinda, married Orson Hyde, also an apostle at that time. The Prophet Joseph Smith and his wife, Emma accepted an invitation from Mr. Johnson in September 1831 to move into his home. The Prophet remained at the Johnson home until April, 1832 and while there he worked on the revision of the Bible and received 15 revelations now recorded in the Doctrine of Covenants. They are Sections 1, 65, 74, 76 81. and 103. 67-6- Historic Johnson House In Ohio Is Dedicated 4 ( 71-7- Elder James A. Cullimore, Assistant to the Twelve, assisted in the dedication. The meeting attended by about 70 people was conducted by Pres. E. Garrett Barlow of the Ohio Mission. Elder Petersen introduced Kress Monroe, a local farmer, and expressed thanks to him and his mother, for selling the property back to the Church that it might be used for the good of the community and the advancement of the work of the Lord. ; Elder Petersen went on to say that if all men could accept Christ and his messages even as Joseph Smith received them here in this historic home, then peace would come to the world. Saints do is "All that we as Latter-daclone in the name of the Savior. We believe in a Second Coming. And even as John the 4 y Baptist was a forerunner to the Savior in' mortality by preaching repentance and faith in him and even as he prepared the minds of the people so Christ would come to believers, even so the Prophet Joforerunner seph Smith was a latter-dapreparing the hearts and minds of men for the Second Coming. "The Almighty God appeared to Joseph Smith to testify Himself of His Own son. Constant revelations came to Joseph Smith 15 of these in this very house which is now being dedicated to continue the work of the Lord. The 76th Section which was received in this very house is worth all the sacrifices Joseph Smith ever made. It was a great vision given to him and to Sidney y ... Elder Mark E. Petersen describes historic importance of John Johnson home Hiram, Ohio. Rigdon, and they bore testimony, saying . . and last of ail is the testimony which we give of Him. . . . "These testimonies are now being given to the world, but they started right here and are being memorialized in paintings, illustrations, statuary, and other exhibits. This house, therefore, the historic Johnson Home, was a refuge for the Prophet and his family in times of trouble, and it will now bo dedicated to this continued principle of freedom of religion and the telling of the message of the Restoration that persecution might cease in the world. Elder Cullimore spoke on "the need for members of the Church today to come to such historic sites as this Johnson Home and to realize and be cognizant that the Gospel was reborn in most humble circumstances. The great and beautiful revelations of the Lord were not given in grand situations but right in this modest house and that the Savior of the world himself appeared here to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon on the occasion of opening up before them the vision of the 76th Section. This building will help impress upon others the truth of the great manifestations which came to the Prophet Joseph here . . . and will help them understand that this is indeed the work of the Lord. Several hundred acres surrounding the Johnson Home have beer, purchased by the Church. Fulltime missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Louis E. O. Maxfield, have been to greet visitors and to take them through the building. Three rooms have been utilized for displays, one of which specifically illustrates the message of the 76th Section on the Three Degrees of Glory. Sculptured portraits of Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith stand in this room, as well as a painling of the Savior by noted Connecticut illustrator, Harry Anderson. t C 1 i i ed Another room demonstrates the four moveStandard Works of the latter-dament, including an illustration which shows the Council of the Twelve as it supported the Trophet Joseph in gathering together the revelations he had thus far received, to be bound into the Book of Commandments, later to become the Doctrine & Covenants. I i y t i a fll t i, J Joseph Smiih received 15 revelations and was beaten and tarred while living in the Johnson home. Map shows easiest way to get to Johnson home from Kirtland. , The historic Johnson Home was the scene of many highlights in the early development of the Church, and a movie on this early period is shown to visitors, culminating their tour. From Kirtland, the John Johnson home can be reached by driving south on Highway 306 two miles to Highway 6, then east seven miles to Chardon. From there, take Highway 44 south for 21 miles to Mantua, then east about four miles to the farm. i WEEK ENDING MAY 17, 1969 CHURCH- -3 |