M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

Another Witness of the Light:
The Museum of Church History and Art Showcases
Two Twentieth Century Photographers
by Scot Facer Proctor

Gallery 3: Kirtland, Ohio Period

Background
I have made a practice over the years to read the revelations of the Doctrine and Covenants aloud in the very places where the revelations were received by the Prophet Joseph. I think there is something that sets deep in the memory when you not only see, but hear the words of the revelations within proximity of where one could have heard the revelation first being received by the Prophet. This is no small task in some places (like in the Kirtland Temple) but works out in others (like on the grassy knoll where Joseph and Emma's cabin once stood in Harmony, Pennsylvania).

When I first visited the Newel K. Whitney store the Church had recently acquired the property and not much restoration or refurbishing had been done. I like to thoroughly examine each site where revelations are given. I measure floorboards carefully. I look at angles of windows and observe when the sunlight comes in at various times of day. I try to see if there are patterns of where the revelations are received in individual buildings (there are). I count the number of steps to get to each floor of old buildings. I go under the building to see the undergirding of timbers or rock. I measure outside and inside dimensions. I just like to know everything about these sites.

Newel K. Whitney Store
When I first visited the Newel K. Whitney store, as alluded to above, I asked the caretaker missionary if it would be okay if I had a little time alone upstairs to do some pondering and reading and praying. He graciously allowed me all the time I wanted and I went upstairs into what is now referred to as the Revelation Room and commenced at the beginning of the Kirtland period and read all the revelations received with KIRTLAND written in the headnotes of the Doctrine and Covenants. I was not then learned enough to know that the revelations of the Kirtland period were given in ten different homes or buildings-so I read all sixty-five revelations out loud in that upper room of the Newel K. Whitney store. Three hours later I emerged (I think the older missionary was wondering if I was still alive). Though that experience was exhausting, it set deep in the marrow of my bones the words of this marvelous book of Doctrine and Covenants. I have since gone back to all the various locations and reread aloud the revelations and have had profound experiences doing so.

Shooting Ohio
I love photographing the various sites in Ohio. Most of my favorite pictures I have taken in Ohio are not published in this article and are not hanging in the Museum of Church History and Art. One is just a simple interior of the John Johnson Farmhouse Revelation Room. It is published in the new version of the scriptures in the photographs section. It is just a simple photo of the room where sixteen revelations were received, including Section 76. I just like that picture. I have a black and white of the Chagrin River that just moves me, and I don't even know why. It was taken on the banks of the Chagrin not too far from where the first baptisms of the converts in Kirtland were immersed in that stream to enter the new and everlasting covenant of the gospel. It is published in the Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, Revised and Enhanced Edition that has just been released.

Feelings for Photographs
Isn't it interesting how some photographs just move you like that. We have had numerous people come up to us after firesides and ask if we had seen Joseph Smith in that one shot we did of the Sacred Grove. If it would have happened but once I would just say that person probably needed a new prescription on her contact lenses. But it has happened nearly a dozen times with one picture. And other pictures have produced similar experiences. I love how shooting pictures of sacred places can produce sacred feelings and sacred experiences. I trust that the Lord will use the photographs as He sees fit to bless whom He will when He wants to. I am grateful to be an instrument.

Below you will find seven of my photographs and two of George Edward's. I wish you could see the John Johnson Farm and surrounds but they were not included in the display of the Museum of Church History and Art. Please read every caption. I have tried to be extremely personal so that I can pull you right into the experience with me.

Next Gallery: The Missouri Period

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