Church History Tour

It had been so long since I had been to Palmyra. Probably when I was 13 or so. Kevin went as a teenager with his parents but that too was long ago. We have AMAZING friends that live near Kirtland (The Rigbys) so we went there while in Detroit (but I forgot my camera so I am waiting on pics) and the Petersons live near Palmyra. So we did some church history tours and what an uplifting experience both trips have been. We did Nauvoo with Kevin's parents in 2005 and that was incredible. Its wonderful to go back to the roots of the church and feel that all those trials were real and the pioneers sacrificed immensely for us. Its even greater to enjoy it with such wonderful friends and family.

Pictures are from the end of the trip to the beginning. I am a dork on downloading pictures so bear with me.

I have a deep love and admiration for Emma Hale Smith. She endured so much as the wife of the Prophet. The following are the tombstones of her parents, Isaac and Elizabeth Hale, and the first born child that they lost, Alvin. Soon after his loss, the Prophet returned to NY to find out that the 116 pages were lost. What a strong family, both spiritually and physically.

This is the home foundation of Joseph's and Emma's first home. Much of the translations occurred here as well as revelations, and the loss of their son.

This is the bank of the Susquehanna River directly behind the home site of Joseph and Emma. It is in this location that the Aaronic Priesthood was restored and Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were baptized (D&C 13). Here we laid out a blanket and had a wonderful picnic. We imagined what the water temperature must have been like and enjoyed the peace and tranquility felt there.

This is the monument erected as a tribute to the Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood in what was then Harmony, PA by John the Baptist.

This is Emma and I in the Sacred Grove.

I found this picture so appropriate. On a beautiful morning, our Father in Heaven appeared to a young boy, accompanied by His Son, Jesus Christ. It was then that the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ began. Our Father in Heaven loves us so much to bless us with such truth and light. Kevin embraced his son in this spot and I know in his heart hopes to teach our little Kevin "Joseph" the gospel that was restored in this area, just as it was taught to Joseph.

The Palmyra temple over looks the Sacred Grove. President Gordon B. Hinckley made sure of that.

The Palmyra temple is the only temple that has a plain window that is not stained glass. That window overlooks the sacred grove as a way to remind us of the First Vision

This is the monument on Hill Cumorah

Joey and Audrey got a long really well during this trip. They had their moments but overall Joey was really excited to be with Audrey and Audrey says that she likes to play with Joey upstairs and downstairs (meaning in all the playrooms)

These are our great friends, the Petersons! We have been blessed with such wonderful friendships. Words cannot describe the love we have for them and the laughter we often share.

I don't know what I would have done without Jessica and Emily during medical school. They piratically taught a city girl how to be domestic and I am so grateful to them. Jessica just had a handsome little boy named Zackery Ryan. She is such a good mom, wife, and friend.

Kevin, Ryan Peterson, and Ryan Rigby were joined at the hip during medical school. They probably survived more because of each other because I know that us wives NAGGED A LOT. But we are grateful they had each other, and the Xbox. Which, Emily, you need to ask Ryan what they used to do on Mondays after exams because we all thought they were in class but Jessica and I just found out that they were playing XBOX!

You had a short church history tour now, but you need to not use this as an excuse not to go. You will be enriched! TTFN