Palmyra, Part 1

As part of our family vacation, we visited Palmyra, NY.  Most people haven't heard of Palmyra, a small town in New York.  You may be wondering what would bring us there.

To members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Palmyra has special significance.  In 1820, Joseph Smith had questions about churches: which one was true and which church he should join.  After wrestling with these questions for some time, he read a scripture in the Bible (James 1:5 - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.).

With this encouragement, Joseph Smith decided to pray and ask God directly which church was true and which church he should join.  He retired to a grove of trees near his home and began to pray.  He was visited by God, the Father, and His son, Jesus Christ.  He was told that he should not join any of the churches, because none of them contained the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Under the direction of God and His messengers, Joseph Smith restored the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  (If you want to know more, please visit http://mormon.org.)

I have visited that grove of trees, now called the "Sacred Grove," twice.  Each time, I have felt a strong confirmation from God that His gospel was restored to the earth as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Here is a picture of the Palmyra, NY Temple as viewed from just outside the Sacred Grove.