This seems like as good a time as any to run an idea past fellow websleuths..
This link is to a book, an early (1884) publication associated with the LDS church (Deseret News). Within this book is the text of the vision that set off the whole "white tents in mountains" idea that all these prepper/visionary groups glom onto.
In addition to that entry there are FOUR articles about Yellowstone, describing different locations within the park. This to me, for some reason, sets of that "hinky meter" that is always talked about.
Another entry, and this just can't be coincidental, is titled "Reflections in the Graveyard". Although it is a somber poem, of completely different quality than Chad's schmucky book, the coincidental title is just.. bizarre.
Anyway, I was curious if anyone thinks that maybe Chad had access to these older church publications (of course he would) and he kind of got obsessed about parts of them (like the visions). What if he really wanted to retrace the steps of the past? What if he told Lori that she and the kids needed to go back to those places at Yellowstone for some reason? I am having a hard time articulating my thoughts adequately about this, but I was hoping someone else might help me comb through possible clues in the book about Yellowstone.
The Contributor : representing the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations of the Latter-day Saints. v.5 (1883/84).