Lifting up 42 pounds of gold plates- it was really heavy:
The original log cabin (a replica):
Then, we were blessed to be able to go through the Sacred Grove. It was spectacular. Because of the time of year, we were basically the only ones there and had the Sacred Grove to ourselves. We spent a lot of time there. Sitting and pondering, the girls writing in their journals. It was beautiful, peaceful, and everything I always imagined it would be.
The farm:
It was awesome to be where God the Father and Jesus Christ visited Joseph. I could picture all of it- Joseph playing there as a young boy, going to kneel to pray...I'm so glad we went.
Then we went to Hill Cumorah. It really is just a "Hill." We hiked to the top where in the 1930s a monument was erected.
Then to the Grandin Printing Press where the Book of Mormon was published. Our tour guide was fantastic, and we ended up seeing him the next day at the Whitmer Farm, too, which was pretty cool.
The process for making the Book of Mormon was quite extensive! 17 months! It really is a miracle that it was every published.
This original BOM was given to them by someone in Palmyra. It was passed from generation to generation. He donated it the church with the stipulation it could never leave Palmyra.
Last stops were the Martin Harris farm, the "four corners" area where on each corner is an old chapel from the 1800s, showing off how much religion was a huge part of Palmyra and Joseph Smith's youth, and then we went to the Palmyra Temple. I did a session while Ben went with the girls to do baptisms.
The temple sits on land that once was part of the Smith family farm. I am certain Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack are thrilled a temple sits there.
