In October Ethan, Ciara, and I headed off to New York City!!!! We traveled with my parents and left the babies home with Seth! Even though we missed them we had a wonderful and memorable trip!
After flying into New York and driving to PA to stay at my cousin Stacia's house we woke up and headed to Palmyra, New York. In Palmyra, at the sacred grove we had the most amazing experience and it made the trip so worth it.
Standing in front of the Joseph Smith's log home.
The Sacred Grove
The Palmyra Temple
The orchard where the angel appeared to Joseph Smith
The 2nd Smith family home where the Golden Plates were hidden under the bricks in the fireplace
The entrance to the sacred grove
As we walked into the sacred grove we decided to sit on a bench and read the account of the first vision. The spirit was strong and we were all crying. So we decided to say a prayer and ask Heavenly Father about the truthfulness of what happened in that grove so many years ago. The experience that all three of us had was amazing. The Spirit testified to us in a very strong, personal and real way and no words can be used to describe it. Even looking at pictures and recounting our experience those same feelings are felt. I know that the kids and I can never doubt that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ did in fact appear to Joseph Smith in that grove. I am forever thankful of that opportunity and that my two children will have those memories for the rest of their lives.
From the Sacred Grove we went to the printing press that made the first Book of Mormon, sadly I didn't get any pictures but we all found it so fascinating and saw how the Lord truly had a hand in the coming forth of The Book of Mormon.
Then we stopped at the Palmyra Temple. It is an absolutely gorgeous temple. The stained glass windows of the sacred grove is amazing.
It was extremely cold that night and as we were taking pictures of the front doors they invited us into the lobby. So, as we all stood in the lobby of the temple the temple workers talked about the temple with the kids and they were able to look around the inside of the temple. Amazing!!!
From the temple we went to the Hill Cumorah visitors center. We got to learn more about Joseph Smith, the first vision, and receiving the golden plates.
Then we were able to drive up the hill to the place where Joseph Smith received the plates from Angel Moroni.
It was a long day by the time we were all done. It was one of the most special days in my life, and by far the best experience of our trip. I am so proud of my kiddos and the spiritual maturity they have and for the strong testimonies and belief that they have.
Coming up: Niagara Falls, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and New York City
