Visiting Palmyra

We loved visiting Palmyra a few weeks ago. While living in the east coast, Aaron and I had Palmyra as one of the top places we wanted to visit so it worked out perfectly to go with my parents after Niagara. 

We all felt so grateful to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. As a missionary, I shared with others multiple times a day about Joseph Smith feeling confused about which religion to join because there were so many options. One day he was reading in James 1:5, which says,

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to allmen liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

 After reading this scripture, Joseph Smith realized that if anyone lacked wisdom, it was him. He took the challenge in the bible to ask God. Taken from Mormon.org, here is what Joseph Smith experienced as he prayed: 

In the spring of 1820, Joseph went to a grove of trees near his home and knelt in prayer. He described his experience: "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me [ … ] When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other-This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" (Joseph Smith-History 1:16-17).

This vision of Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ was the beginning of Joseph Smith's calling as a prophet of God. He was told that none of the churches on the earth had the fullness of truth. Over time, Joseph Smith was chosen to establish Christ's Church and restore the priesthood, or the authority to act in God's name. He was led by God to an ancient record and given the ability to translate it into English. This record is called the Book of Mormon. He continued to pray and receive revelation for the Church throughout his life. These revelations were compiled into a book of scriptures referred to as the Doctrine and Covenants and shows that God still leads His children today. Joseph Smith formally organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830.

 I know that we can all take the challenge in the Bible to ask God for any knowledge we lack and he will answer. Aaron and I have already planned to go back to Palmyra when our kids are teenagers and preparing to serve missions! Here's everything we were able to see:

Hill Cumorah Visitors' Center

Hill Cumorah where The Book of Mormon was buried.

After walking around the Hill Cumorah, we toured the Book of Mormon Publication site. For some reason I didn't get a picture (!!), but you can see some here.

Our next stop: Palmyra Temple - there is one clear window that looks out to the Sacred Grove. 

The Smith Family Farm

The Sacred Grove. As a young Kansas girl, I never envisioned the trees to be so huge. It was breathtaking and there was a special feeling there as we walked around and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. 

Our final stop of the day was touring the Peter Whitmer Farm, where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formally organized.  

The next day we toured the Martin Harris Farm.

We enjoyed one final walk through the grove. 

 Before telling my parents goodbye, we enjoyed lunch at Grandpa Joe's Diner! :)

What an incredible trip we'll always cherish!