Palmyra, Smith Farm, Sacred Grove, Hill Cumorah

Brylee was released from the hospital on July 31st. That night, Alisha, Shae, and Madison flew in to Maryland to visit us for the week. We had been planning this trip since April. We were worried that we would be in the hospital longer than anticipated, and that they would need to reschedule or that Brylee might not be up to it. Luckily for all involved, things worked out and they took the long flight out here. They had some weather in Phoenix so they got in late but I was so glad to see them I didn't care! A week of vacationing was going to be just what we needed after everything that had happened with Bry.

It was a week packed full of everything we could think of to do and have them see. PHEW! I needed a week to recover from everything after they left! This post all took place in the first three days of the visit.

It is 6 hours from our house to Palmyra, New York. We didn't head out of town until 7:00pm that night so we did only half the drive that night. We stayed in some town in Pennsylvania (which is a BEAUTIFUL state I think!), then headed up to Palmyra Monday morning. We had perfect weather with the exception of a little rain that wasn't enough to bother anyone.

First we went and saw the Martin Harris Farm. He mortgaged the farm for $3,000.00 so that the Book of Mormon could be printed.



Next we headed over to the Grandin Printing Shop where the Book of Mormon was printed for the first time. 5,000 copies to be exact. Other than the Sacred Grove, this was my favorite stop. The flooring was all original where the Prophet had walked. The ink that was splattered all over the floor was all original as well. It was awesome to see the actual pages that Oliver Cowdry has scribed.





We made a quick stop at the LDS Bookstore to find a few things, then headed over to the Smith Farm and The Sacred Grove. It's humbling to see what the Smith family had, and yet for them, it was more than enough. Sometimes I think if I secluded myself on a farm somewhere miles and miles from anyone with just my family and lots of open space, I would be the happiest girl on earth. It's amazing how inventive they were to be able to get everyday chores done. Such smarties! I loved Lucy's granite sink!

However inspiring the homes were, the Sacred Grove is the by far the most impressive and amazing place I have been. We talked a lot as we entered about where exactly it was that Joseph knelt and prayed that day. I decided it didn't matter to me. What happened in that grove was the Restoration of Christ's church on the earth. What Joseph did in his life was amazing to bring that to pass, and he was an example for me. He wanted truth, and he sought it. He wanted answers, so he prayed. He believed in the scriptures when John spoke of asking and recieving answers. That's what I have to do as well. What I took from it was his example. It didn't matter where he knelt. What matters is what I do.








(I do have to say though, it was a little eery that we were met on the way into the grove by a friendly snake!)

Last, we headed to the Hill Cumorah on our way back home. Glad we didn't come when the pageant was on. I can't even imagine how many people were packed into that small town! We first went to the visitors center and the kids (either from exhaustion or the spirit being so strong) sat and loved just being in the room with the Christus.

The walk up to the Hill Cumorah Memorial we got to talk together about the night Joseph went to get the plates. The lengths Satan will go to to stand in the way of truth is pretty scary to think of.

I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and for the chance I had to go and experience the spirit that still abounds in those sacred places. An even bigger bonus was the fact that Rusty, Brylee, and I got to do all of this with Alisha and her girls. It was a trip I don't think any of us will forget!