Palmyra, New York

My Aunt lives not to far from Palmyra, New York so that was one of the places we had planned on visiting. It is one of the most beautiful and spiritual places. I loved it!

To explain it to those who have not been there once you get off the freeway you turn north away from the main city. A couple of miles away is a visitor center and Hill Cummorha. Then down a little further is the Stake Center and acrossed the street is the Palmyra Temple. Then across the way is the Smith Farm with another visitor center with both of the Smith Homes and Brigham Young Father's Barn and from there you walk down a path into the Sacred Grove.
All of this and all of the blessings we have including the gospel and so many other things came to pass because of this scripture: James 1:5. This was such an old bible that was in the visitors center opened up to this.

This is the walk into the sacred grove.

Me hugging a tree in the Sacred Grove.

Such a beautiful place. They had little paths to walk all around and then benches that you could sit down and ponder and enjoy the grove. We walked as quietly as possible but with all the leaves falling from the trees it was difficult but you could feel the spirit so strong and just to know that this is the same place that Joseph Smith Jr. prayed and saw our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. It was incredible!

We walked around for about an hour but I could have stayed in their forever.

Brigham Youngs father's barn that was moved to the Smith Farm.

This is the home that Alvin Smith was building from himself and wife but then passed away. So the rest of the family finished it and moved into it. This home faces the Sacred Grove, infact you walk right out the door and steps down the path to the Grove. The home is 85% original. In this home so many revelations were recieved and the Plates were hid a couple of times. Once in the sisters bed as they pretended to sleep and the mob left them alone and also they were hid under the bricks of the fireplace. I am mad at myself for not taking a pic of either of those places!

The Pantry

The Kitchen

The Palmyra Temple also faces the Sacred Grove but of course it was closed for cleaning while we were here. But the missionary told us that there are three windows that you can look out onto the Grove. As you walked from the first home to the second the temple is right in the middle.

Then you turn around and look the other way is their farm land and orchards that is the Sacred Grove out in the back.

This is the upstairs of the first home and this is the room where Joseph slept with all his brothers and the door in the back is a little room for his sisters. This is the same room that the angel Moroni came to Joseph 3 times the same night.

All of us in front of the fire place.

The original home was no longer standing but this replica was built on the original foundation.

This is the Monument of the Angel Moroni on top of the Hill Cummorha(sorry I can't remember how to spell it)

Angel Moroni showing the plates to the three witnesses.

On top of the Hill looking out across the land. I think of the picture of Moroni hurt and in his armor buirying the plates into the ground looking out. They dont know exactly where they were buiried but just think Moroni the Nephite was here in the flesh all by himself hiding from the Lamanites. Then again as an angel teaching and showing Joseph Smith Jr the plates.
There a couple of other historical sites but we only had the one day. Maybe next time.

Sorry that was so long but it was so awesome!!!!!!

If you ever get a chance to go then GO!!!!