Palmyra, New York

So, I have finally made the journey to Palmyra, New York were there is many of our church's historical sites. IT WAS AWESOME!

We got there on Friday, and since we were camping, set up our camp site and let the kids go swimming in the pool there. It was nice and relaxing. We had Chris' mom and nephew Andrew, his brother Dan and his family with us. The weather was very nice during the day but I FROZE all night. I couldn't sleep at all. Finally, about 4:30 in the morning Chris woke up and gave me his sleeping bag. I was great after that, but then Chris was freezing. He is such a nice guy! :)



Saturday was especially awesome since we got to go see the Smith farm and the Sacred Grove, where Joseph Smith was visited by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. That is a very special place that I recommend anyone visit, whether LDS or not.

At first, I felt a bit dissapointed that I didn't have this overwhelming, tear-jerking, knock-me-on-my-butt feeling as I entered the grove. I thought that this was primarily due to the fact that we had many children with us, but the kids were all very quiet and respectful of the place. So, I pondered the thought some more. What I realized is that my testimony is not, in fact, a very emotional one overall. I don't get up in church to bear my testimony and cry like many do, but I do have one and I know it's there.

The fact that the gospel is true and that this is the full and complete church of Jesus Christ on the earth is just that... Fact! I don't doubt it. I don't question it. It's just a simple reality.

Once I realized this while walking through the grove, I felt the Spirit touch me and tell me that this was allright. My testimony is mine, and it can be manifested any way I need it to be.

That is when the tears came...

Figures!

So, it was a joyous experience and not one that will soon be forgotten.



We finally got a family picture (up till now, I have only had ONE pix of the 7 of us together) in front of the Smith family home, another very awesome site to see! We thought it was especially interesting when seeing the log cabin that they had 9 (... NINE!) children when living in that little log home. It made all of us (especially the kids) not feel so bad about the 7 of us in our small duplex. In fact, since we've been back we feel like we have much more room than we thought.



We stopped by the temple to say "Hi" (didn't actually go in to do any work, but wanted to see it nonetheless), and had a picnic lunch by the stake center.

Then we went to the Peter Whitmer farm, where much of the Book of Mormon was translated. The original house is no longer there, but it was cool to see the conditions under which the book was translated and listen to the interesting tidbits of info on the area, the time period, and the translation itself. I didn't actually get to hear much as Nathanael was much more interested in getting free of the confines of his stroller and car seat for the time being. It was still a very spiritual experience and a very humbling one!




To end our touring, we went to the site where the first Book of Mormon was published. It was so hard to print anything back then, I don't know why they bothered. Just kidding. It certainly made me appreciate my computer and printer and the ease of a click of a button to print anything I need.

My favorite part of the publishing tour was the gallery at the end. All but the pic of "Alma at the Waters of Mormon" are original paintings and all are ones that we see in LDS life all the time. There were a few I haven't seen before that were paintings done by C.C.A. Christensen of Book of Mormon scenes. I have pix of Carey and Daniel with them. They were very good.

But the highlight of the whole trip was the Hill Cumorah pageant! That was one spectacular show. Being a visual person, I really enjoy seeing the scriptures brought to life in any way I can, but it was wonderful to see the way they depicted the events in the Book of Mormon. They had some wonderful visual effects using water. And, the way they depict the Savior was stunning! It was a beautiful production!

It inspired me to start reading the Book of Mormon all over again. In fact, it inspired me so much that I have decided to read it again by my birthday (which is in 2 weeks!) I figured if I can read 35 to 36 pages a day, I will be able to finish it on the 30th (the day before my birthday). I think I can do it!

On Sunday, we headed home. But not before stopping to see Niagara Falls! We went on the Maid of the Mist tour which is a boat ride that takes you inside the horseshoe of the Falls itself! I am so glad we did because it was so much fun. The Daniel, Samuel, and Carey had a great time, but it scared poor Cora and Nathanael. We rode right on the top of the boat in the front so the view was great... so was the amount of water spraying at us. We didn't get too drenched though, but it was fun!