Another day in paradise
August 25, 2017
We've spent the day preparing and cleaning the Knight home for the new docents, Dale and Margaret Smith, who will be arriving tomorrow afternoon. We will orient them to their duties and show them around the area, and then we will turn over the care of these two special homes to them. As the tour time ended today, and I went around the Knight home turning off lights and candles, I couldn't hold back my emotions anymore. If I am this sad to leave this place, I can only imagine what it must have been like for the Knight family to walk away from here in 1831 knowing that they most likely would never see it again (which they never did). Yet, they willingly chose to go, so they could follow the man they knew to be a prophet of God, their true and dear friend, Joseph Smith. I am struck by their significant sacrifices, their great devotion, and their unwavering faith. I feel a sacred duty to live worthily of the legacy they have left me.
William G. Hartley said the following about the Knight family: "In 1826, the Knight families never suspected what tremendous effect the unmarried young man from Palmyra, whom they had just hired, would have on their lives. They employed Joseph Smith Jr. to help them mill and farm. But instead of being just their employee, he soon became their religious leader and guide. From their first acquaintance with him until his martyrdom less that two decades later, they were his followers, as loyal as any who converted during his lifetime. Through fourteen years of Joseph Smith's public ministry, he and the Knights were trusted friends and coworkers in the cause of the Restoration. Few responded better to the revelation (D&C 6:18) directed to Oliver Cowdery in April 1829 to 'stand by my servant Joseph' than did the Knight family . . . There are critics of Joseph Smith, many of them respectable and honorable people, who question his truthfulness and claims to receive revelations from God. They marshal argument and evidence they feel demonstrates he was something other than what he professed to be. In a similar manner, defenders of Joseph Smith provide their array of evidence they feel demonstrates that through him God restored Christ's ancient church and gospel to the earth. Amid historical debates and religious discussions, the simple but solid Knight family network, who remained loyal to the Prophet longer than anyone but the Smith family, ought not be ignored. They bear a quiet but adamant witness that their friend Joseph Smith was what he claimed to be (Stand by My Servant Joseph: The History of the Joseph Knight Family and the Restoration)."
We've gotten very comfortable driving around the greater Colesville area without the aid of GPS. In some ways it feels like Eric and I have always lived here and that our life in Spanish Fork is from another lifetime, or maybe even just part of a dream. But alas, we realize that we have a family, home, callings, responsibilities, and employment waiting for us back in Utah. We feel like we've been in an alternate reality while we've been here--not really living in the present, but not living in the past either. It has been a welcome change of pace, and for me, it has been a dream come true. I couldn't ask for a more loyal, supportive companion than Eric. He has made this experience all the sweeter through the consistent love and service he provides for me daily.
The past few days the calls have been coming in on the Knight home landline for all the groups that are planning tours during the time when the incredible fall colors will be in full splendor. I have been coordinating all of that information with Raphael Mecham who owns both the Knight and Stowell homes, and he and his wife will be the ones residing here and guiding the tours during that time.
We've spent the day preparing and cleaning the Knight home for the new docents, Dale and Margaret Smith, who will be arriving tomorrow afternoon. We will orient them to their duties and show them around the area, and then we will turn over the care of these two special homes to them. As the tour time ended today, and I went around the Knight home turning off lights and candles, I couldn't hold back my emotions anymore. If I am this sad to leave this place, I can only imagine what it must have been like for the Knight family to walk away from here in 1831 knowing that they most likely would never see it again (which they never did). Yet, they willingly chose to go, so they could follow the man they knew to be a prophet of God, their true and dear friend, Joseph Smith. I am struck by their significant sacrifices, their great devotion, and their unwavering faith. I feel a sacred duty to live worthily of the legacy they have left me.
William G. Hartley said the following about the Knight family: "In 1826, the Knight families never suspected what tremendous effect the unmarried young man from Palmyra, whom they had just hired, would have on their lives. They employed Joseph Smith Jr. to help them mill and farm. But instead of being just their employee, he soon became their religious leader and guide. From their first acquaintance with him until his martyrdom less that two decades later, they were his followers, as loyal as any who converted during his lifetime. Through fourteen years of Joseph Smith's public ministry, he and the Knights were trusted friends and coworkers in the cause of the Restoration. Few responded better to the revelation (D&C 6:18) directed to Oliver Cowdery in April 1829 to 'stand by my servant Joseph' than did the Knight family . . . There are critics of Joseph Smith, many of them respectable and honorable people, who question his truthfulness and claims to receive revelations from God. They marshal argument and evidence they feel demonstrates he was something other than what he professed to be. In a similar manner, defenders of Joseph Smith provide their array of evidence they feel demonstrates that through him God restored Christ's ancient church and gospel to the earth. Amid historical debates and religious discussions, the simple but solid Knight family network, who remained loyal to the Prophet longer than anyone but the Smith family, ought not be ignored. They bear a quiet but adamant witness that their friend Joseph Smith was what he claimed to be (Stand by My Servant Joseph: The History of the Joseph Knight Family and the Restoration)."
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| The 1828 Cooperstown edition of the Bible that is in the Knight home. We have the page turned to James 1:5. |
We've gotten very comfortable driving around the greater Colesville area without the aid of GPS. In some ways it feels like Eric and I have always lived here and that our life in Spanish Fork is from another lifetime, or maybe even just part of a dream. But alas, we realize that we have a family, home, callings, responsibilities, and employment waiting for us back in Utah. We feel like we've been in an alternate reality while we've been here--not really living in the present, but not living in the past either. It has been a welcome change of pace, and for me, it has been a dream come true. I couldn't ask for a more loyal, supportive companion than Eric. He has made this experience all the sweeter through the consistent love and service he provides for me daily.
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| Our chipmunk friend that often greets us at the Stowell home. |
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| A caterpillar that clung to our car during the drive from the Knight home to the Stowell home. |
The past few days the calls have been coming in on the Knight home landline for all the groups that are planning tours during the time when the incredible fall colors will be in full splendor. I have been coordinating all of that information with Raphael Mecham who owns both the Knight and Stowell homes, and he and his wife will be the ones residing here and guiding the tours during that time.
Our good friends are named Dale and Margaret Smith. Where are the next docents from?
ReplyDeleteMargaret said that the only thing that would have made our meeting at the farmhouse yesterday even better is if you and Dave had come walking up the sidewalk. You are loved!
ReplyDeleteI want to go there!
ReplyDeleteYou need to go there. Maybe we should all go as sisters and serve as docents together.
ReplyDelete