Palmyra and Fayette, New York

I left off with trip summary in Oswego, New York. After a nearly sleepless night for me due to the highway outside we started toward Palmyra, New York. We had done some background reading, A Lion and A Lamb by Rand H. Packer, which gave some great insights into how the church was able to obtain the property on which the Hill Cumorah stands and also improve relations with the townspeople of Palmyra. Great read. We also knew a bit of our church history so were very happy to visit where so much concerning the restoration of the gospel occurred. Our first stop was to the Hill Cumorah visitor center. Then we climbed the Hill Cumorah. Thankfully the rain didn't start until we were heading back down the hill. We also visited the property where the Smith family was living during the momentous time. The cabin is a reconstruciton using period materials. The wooden "frame" house is 85% original. It's a short walk from them to the Sacred Grove.

We call it the Sacred Grove because we believe that God the Father and His Son, our Savior appeared to Joseph Smith and answered the question that he had prayed about. I wish I could say that it was a glorious day and that we sat and pondered and meditated in the grove. Unfortunately for us, the sky had opened up and it was pouring rain so we did take a half an hour or so to walk the grove and I gingerly sat down on the end of one of the benches that are placed at intervals throughout, but it wasn't really conducive to just sitting and pondering. It was a wonderful experience though just being there. Some of the trees are old enough to have been there that spring morning in 1820 so we tried picking out the witness trees during our walk.

After our visit at the Joseph Smith farm we stopped by the Palmyra Temple. It's beautiful. I picked up a few leaves from the temple grounds. From there we drove into Palmyra and stopped at the E.B. Grandin Print Shop and toured that. Finally we drove out to Fayette, NY to where the church was officially organized on April 6, 1830 at the Whitmer Farm. It was a 45 minute drive from Palmyra, but worth it to feel the spirit of the place. We ate at a little place on the way home-great Italian food recommended by one of the missionaries and then went back to Palmyra. We stayed at the Palmyra Inn. I highly recommend it. Great people, nice rooms. I did wash that night.

The next morning we got up early since we had a longer day of driving. Michael got some great pictures as we were leaving of some mist over the homes at the Smith Farm.

NS