One of several historical sites newly acquired by the LDS Church is that of Haun's Mill, a settlement in eastern Caldwell County, Mo., on the banks of Shoal Creek. The center of the little community was a water gristmill operated by Jacob Haun.
Kenneth Mays
Related article: LDS Church buys farmland, Haun's Mill, Far West, Kirtland property from Community of Christ
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One of several historical sites newly acquired by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that of Haun's Mill, a settlement in eastern Caldwell County, Mo., on the banks of Shoal Creek. The center of the little community was a water gristmill operated by Jacob Haun.
As difficulties between the Mormons and local Missourians escalated, the Prophet Joseph Smith counseled Haun to bring the Haun's Mill settlers to the relative safety of Far West, but Haun failed to do so.
It is now thought that Haun did not inform the others of Joseph's counsel. On Oct. 30, 1838, a group of 240 locals attacked Haun's Mill, killing at least 17 men and boys.
In recent years, Brigham Young Universithy professor Alex Baugh has learned some interesting facts: Haun actually spelled his name Hawn; he was not a member of the LDS Church; and the attackers had not yet learned of Governor Boggs' so-called extermination order.
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Kenny Mays is a teacher at the Salt Lake University Institute adjacent to the University of Utah and a board member of the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation. For decades he has been studying and photographing LDS Church more ..
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As someone who visits the site with some regularity, I love the pristine and peaceful nature of it. I hope the Church doesn't busy it up with a bunch of paving, visitor's centers, and so on. I'd love to see it remain much as it is.
I agree totally 100%! Let members visit the historical sites in situ, as much as possible. If there are structures or grave sites to preserve, then extra efforts are warranted. If many visitors begin to go, at least a small parking lot (and More..
Re: "I hope the Church doesn't busy it up with a bunch of paving, visitor's centers, and so on. I'd love to see it remain much as it is."
Well, in the parallel universe in which you own the property, you may see it More..