Palmyra, New York

After we visited many things in Ohio, we traveled farther east to Palmyra.  We stayed here 3 nights so that we could see it all. Sadly, it rained most of the time so we stopped by the local Goodwill shop to get umbrellas and raincoats for everyone. 

Hill Cumorah

We were sad we weren't there when they were doing the Hill Cumorah Pageant, but this year is their 75th anniversary of doing the pageant and they had a ton of costumes in the visitor's center for us to view. How amazing and intricate are the details on their costumes! So cool to see. The actual hill was higher than I thought it was going to be and I wished I had on my tennis shoes. But it was beautifully landscaped and it was neat to see all the monumental pictures and writings on each side of the monument (below).

 Book of Mormon Print Shop

It was so amazing to see where the first copy of the Book of Mormon was published.  The sister missionaries did guided tours to show us the entire process of printing and binding the first book, as well as tell us amazing stories of the background history of how the funding for this book was even possible back in the day.

Peter Whitmer Farm (Fayette, NY)

About 15 minutes from Palmyra is Fayette, where we visited the Whitmer Farm.  There was the Fayette Ward building on the same grounds as the farmhouse.  If you can read the writings on the front of the buidling: "Fayette Chapel and Visitor's Center, Dedicated April 6, 1980 on the 150th anniversary of the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which occured on these grounds. In the farmhouse of Peter Whitmer on April 6, 1830 under the direction of the prophet Joseph Smith.  From here the Restored Gospel has gone forth to the nations of the earth in obedience to the Lord's command...."  It was a peaceful feeling to be on the same grounds where the prophet stood to restore the gospel.

Palmyra Temple

We took turns babysitting our kids and doing initiatory sessions in the temple between Scott and I and his parents.  It was a beautiful temple, and the hand stained glass windows with pictures of the church history were amazing.



Smith Farm

Just down from the temple, is the Smith Farm.  You can actually see the temple on the hill when standing from the main farmhouse at the Smith Farm.



 On the 2nd floor in the small farmhouse (bottom left in picture above) is where Joseph Smith at age 14 had one of the night visions above his bed where we are standing (picture below). 

This is the tree that Emma Smith planted right outside her house by the garden when her son Alvin died, and look how big it is now.

The sister missionaries tell you great insight and factual stories about the history and things that went on at the Smith Farm.  I like the one where the mobs are searching everywhere for the golden plates in the family barn and never found it, when all along it was hidden in the hay above their heads.



Sacred Grove 

My favorite thing on the Smith Farm to see was definately the Sacred Grove. To keep the sacredness of the grove, there's this reverence that is naturally observed.  The spirit is strong there and it's amazing to think that God, the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith here.

Martin Harris Farm

Palmyra had so many things we could see and experience. Glad we took the time to come see it all.