DEC_24_18_MOM_TOW_Palmyra Trip Report
(I wrote this last week, but didn't finish typing it till after 6pm, so I couldn't send it. But here it is this week!)
Hey guys!
Here I am, sitting in the car on the way back home to my area. I figured I would send you all about what happened today! It was quite an eventful day, so I wanted to be sure to document it for you all (and for your posterity *ahem* Cohen *ahem*)
I'll spare you all of the details about the drive. It was relatively uneventful. But our first stop was the Palmyra Visitor's Center, which is right at the base of the Hill Cumorah. At this point it was like 10:05, and we needed to be at the temple for our session by 11, so we got the VERY quick tour. It was cool, though. We got to see the original painting that we all know of Joseph Smith seeing the Angel Moroni in his bedroom. We also got to see Nativity's from all around the world, which is where I got the picture of the Peruvian one. It doesn't look much like a Peruvian piece, but to each his own I guess. We also got a picture of us with the Christus statue, which I will send later because it's on someone else's phone. I'll send you a few more pictures later.
We then drove over to the temple, which was EXTREMELY small. I think it may be even smaller than the Redlands temple. Its very pretty inside, as one would expect but it wasn't the most beautiful temple I've been inside, unfortunately. However, the inside of the men's dressing room will always be very beautiful and special to me. Know why?
I saw Braden.
I saw him guys.
He was there. At the temple. Coincidentally. He had just finished a session, and I was just about to enter into mine. He was still in his temple clothes, and I was in my whites. Unfortunately, we were in the temple, so we couldn't take a picture.
I was so focused on going into the room, I even see him come up next to me. I just felt someone touch my elbow and looked up and he was there. Just smirking at me like he understood a joke and I didn't get the punch line yet.
I was in complete and utter shock. I just gave him a huge hug. Asked him what he was doing there. Apparently he had come with his mom, and was already planning on being there that morning. Then it was time for me to go into the endowment room.
I gave him another tight hug and that was it. Literally 30 seconds with my best friend in the whole world. And then it was over. 30 seconds to carry me through the rest of my mission. I think I can last 6 more months.
I still can't believe it. But I'll move on.
I went into the endowment room and had a grand old time as usual. We got to watch the video with the Laughing Satan and the most attractive Eve, so I really can't complain.
The Celestial Room was beautiful, but I still think San Diego's is the prettiest that I've been in. This was definitely the smallest Celestial Room I've been in that's for sure.
We then received some cookies on the way out of the temple. That's one of the perks of being a missionary at the temple, or any other church site for that matter. Everybody loves you. One temple worker said, 'We are indebted to you.' Another said, 'Thanks for being our feet on the ground.' It felt good. Even though I definitely didn't feel worthy of their praise.
We reunited with Ben and Madi who were waiting in the car, and hen drove over to the Smith family home. It's constructed in literally the SAME spot it was back when it was first built. President Hinckley ensure that when he decided to rebuild it. There were all kinds of zoning laws that would have prevented it from happening. Especially since it couldn't be built within a certain distance from the highway according to New York State Law. So President Hinckley just had a new highway made. No biggie.
Anyways, the Smith home was awesome. The coolest part? Obviously the bedroom upstairs, where the Angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith to tell him about the Golden Plates. It was surreal standing in the exact spot that an angel appeared. We don't know exactly where the Book of Mormon was buried. We don't know the exact spot that Christ and Heavenly Father appeared to the boy Joseph. But we do know where Moroni came and visited Joseph. And I stood in it.
We then walked over to the Smith's second home, which is just a few hundred feet from the first house. It was here that Joseph brought the plates back after he first obtained them when he was 21. They told all kinds of cool stories about the plates and where they were stored. I took pictures of each of the places they said. One was in Alvin's tool box. The other was under the bricks by the fireplace. Another was in his sisters' bed with his sleeping sisters. It was surreal.
He also had to store the plates in his barn a couple of times. At one point, he had them hidden under the floorboards, but was prompted by the Spirit to move them. So he went to the barn and moved them to the loft over his head. That night, an angry mob came to look for the plates, and searched the barn first. They tore open the floorboards, but couldn't find them. They looked everywhere. No dice. Little did they know, they were just a few feet over their heads. Thank goodness they didn't find them, huh?
After the barn, it was time for the big Cahuna. The Sacred Grove Itself. It really is so close to the Smith's home, just a dozen feet away or so. It's crazy. They have a little trail that goes into the forest. It's probably about a mile or so. The Grove looked exactly how I expected, but also... not. You see, it's the middle of winter right now, so all of the leaves are gone. But despite that, the place was still beautiful. The trees in that Grove are so thin, I love it. As I was walking through it, of course I was looking around, wondering if that was the spot where it happened. Unfortunately, I wasn't by myself, so I couldn't just stop and kneel on the ground like Joseph did. I wanted to, but I would have felt foolish. But I did say a prayer in my heart, asking him to show His love for me. I didn't feel much, but I did feel peaceful. And that's good enough for me.
I wish I could have spent longer there. The feeling is so surreal and incomparable to anything else I've felt. But unfortunately, we were on a time crunch, so we had to make it back to the car. We then drove to the Hill Cumorah. Brother Harding and Madi decided to drive up it, but Ben and Elder Foster wanted to walk directly up. Man, it's steep. But it was worth it. The hill isn't too tall at all. It only took like two minutes to get to the top. The hill overlooks the whole farm. As I was looking out, I couldn't help but imagine Mormon witnessing the destruction of his people from the top, over a millenia ago.
They have a monument at the top of the hill, commemorating the Angel Moroni and the ancient record that was buried there. We took some pictures, while I tried to look for a rock that the plates could have potentially been buried under. Unfortunately, no luck. I guess that one's gonna remain a mystery for a little while longer. Or at least til the Millenium.
Lastly, we drove into the city of Palmyra itself where the E. B. Granding building is. That is where the first editions of the Book of Mormon were printed. That place was awesome. Joseph Smith wanted 5,000 copies printed, but he had no means to pay for them. Martin Harris had to sell the mortgage to his farm. Talk about faith! The printer, E. B. Granding himself, was not a believer. He printed the book, but told everyone not to believe it because it was a hoax. He was never baptized. But it's interesting to see how the Lord uses ordinary people, even those who don't believe in him, to accomplish His great work.
It's also interesting how Joseph Smith wanted nothing but the best for the Lord. E. B. Granding tried to convince him to print the books in Paperback, but Joseph insisted they be printed on the finest leather, hardcover. That jacked the price up quite a bit as well, but he didn't care. We see that same pattern in the Temples we build today, and even in th Temples built during pioneer times. It just goes to show you how Joseph and the early Saints valued the things of God more than the things of the world.
There were tons of other things that I learned and could mention, but I think that's enough for now. Needless to say, it was a remarkable trip, one of the best P-Days I've ever had. And I've had some great P-Days. I'm grateful for the opportunity that I had to go, and for the privilege it is to be a part of this great church. I know it's true. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.
One last thing that stood out to me from the tour: In the Visitors' Center, the Senior missionary who was speaking was showing us that picture of Joseph Smith looking up at Moroni when he first visited him in his bedroom. Joseph looks awestruck at the Heavenly Messenger before him. As he should be. But then he pointed out that Moroni was probably equally as awestruck at the privilege to be talking to Joseph Smith, who he knew to be one of the most influential people in the world. At the time, Joseph didn't know what his destiny was. But Moroni did. He wrote about him in the Book of Mormon.
Think about that.
Love you guys!
Hey guys!
Here I am, sitting in the car on the way back home to my area. I figured I would send you all about what happened today! It was quite an eventful day, so I wanted to be sure to document it for you all (and for your posterity *ahem* Cohen *ahem*)
I'll spare you all of the details about the drive. It was relatively uneventful. But our first stop was the Palmyra Visitor's Center, which is right at the base of the Hill Cumorah. At this point it was like 10:05, and we needed to be at the temple for our session by 11, so we got the VERY quick tour. It was cool, though. We got to see the original painting that we all know of Joseph Smith seeing the Angel Moroni in his bedroom. We also got to see Nativity's from all around the world, which is where I got the picture of the Peruvian one. It doesn't look much like a Peruvian piece, but to each his own I guess. We also got a picture of us with the Christus statue, which I will send later because it's on someone else's phone. I'll send you a few more pictures later.
We then drove over to the temple, which was EXTREMELY small. I think it may be even smaller than the Redlands temple. Its very pretty inside, as one would expect but it wasn't the most beautiful temple I've been inside, unfortunately. However, the inside of the men's dressing room will always be very beautiful and special to me. Know why?
I saw Braden.
I saw him guys.
He was there. At the temple. Coincidentally. He had just finished a session, and I was just about to enter into mine. He was still in his temple clothes, and I was in my whites. Unfortunately, we were in the temple, so we couldn't take a picture.
I was so focused on going into the room, I even see him come up next to me. I just felt someone touch my elbow and looked up and he was there. Just smirking at me like he understood a joke and I didn't get the punch line yet.
I was in complete and utter shock. I just gave him a huge hug. Asked him what he was doing there. Apparently he had come with his mom, and was already planning on being there that morning. Then it was time for me to go into the endowment room.
I gave him another tight hug and that was it. Literally 30 seconds with my best friend in the whole world. And then it was over. 30 seconds to carry me through the rest of my mission. I think I can last 6 more months.
I still can't believe it. But I'll move on.
I went into the endowment room and had a grand old time as usual. We got to watch the video with the Laughing Satan and the most attractive Eve, so I really can't complain.
The Celestial Room was beautiful, but I still think San Diego's is the prettiest that I've been in. This was definitely the smallest Celestial Room I've been in that's for sure.
We then received some cookies on the way out of the temple. That's one of the perks of being a missionary at the temple, or any other church site for that matter. Everybody loves you. One temple worker said, 'We are indebted to you.' Another said, 'Thanks for being our feet on the ground.' It felt good. Even though I definitely didn't feel worthy of their praise.
We reunited with Ben and Madi who were waiting in the car, and hen drove over to the Smith family home. It's constructed in literally the SAME spot it was back when it was first built. President Hinckley ensure that when he decided to rebuild it. There were all kinds of zoning laws that would have prevented it from happening. Especially since it couldn't be built within a certain distance from the highway according to New York State Law. So President Hinckley just had a new highway made. No biggie.
Anyways, the Smith home was awesome. The coolest part? Obviously the bedroom upstairs, where the Angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith to tell him about the Golden Plates. It was surreal standing in the exact spot that an angel appeared. We don't know exactly where the Book of Mormon was buried. We don't know the exact spot that Christ and Heavenly Father appeared to the boy Joseph. But we do know where Moroni came and visited Joseph. And I stood in it.
We then walked over to the Smith's second home, which is just a few hundred feet from the first house. It was here that Joseph brought the plates back after he first obtained them when he was 21. They told all kinds of cool stories about the plates and where they were stored. I took pictures of each of the places they said. One was in Alvin's tool box. The other was under the bricks by the fireplace. Another was in his sisters' bed with his sleeping sisters. It was surreal.
He also had to store the plates in his barn a couple of times. At one point, he had them hidden under the floorboards, but was prompted by the Spirit to move them. So he went to the barn and moved them to the loft over his head. That night, an angry mob came to look for the plates, and searched the barn first. They tore open the floorboards, but couldn't find them. They looked everywhere. No dice. Little did they know, they were just a few feet over their heads. Thank goodness they didn't find them, huh?
After the barn, it was time for the big Cahuna. The Sacred Grove Itself. It really is so close to the Smith's home, just a dozen feet away or so. It's crazy. They have a little trail that goes into the forest. It's probably about a mile or so. The Grove looked exactly how I expected, but also... not. You see, it's the middle of winter right now, so all of the leaves are gone. But despite that, the place was still beautiful. The trees in that Grove are so thin, I love it. As I was walking through it, of course I was looking around, wondering if that was the spot where it happened. Unfortunately, I wasn't by myself, so I couldn't just stop and kneel on the ground like Joseph did. I wanted to, but I would have felt foolish. But I did say a prayer in my heart, asking him to show His love for me. I didn't feel much, but I did feel peaceful. And that's good enough for me.
I wish I could have spent longer there. The feeling is so surreal and incomparable to anything else I've felt. But unfortunately, we were on a time crunch, so we had to make it back to the car. We then drove to the Hill Cumorah. Brother Harding and Madi decided to drive up it, but Ben and Elder Foster wanted to walk directly up. Man, it's steep. But it was worth it. The hill isn't too tall at all. It only took like two minutes to get to the top. The hill overlooks the whole farm. As I was looking out, I couldn't help but imagine Mormon witnessing the destruction of his people from the top, over a millenia ago.
They have a monument at the top of the hill, commemorating the Angel Moroni and the ancient record that was buried there. We took some pictures, while I tried to look for a rock that the plates could have potentially been buried under. Unfortunately, no luck. I guess that one's gonna remain a mystery for a little while longer. Or at least til the Millenium.
Lastly, we drove into the city of Palmyra itself where the E. B. Granding building is. That is where the first editions of the Book of Mormon were printed. That place was awesome. Joseph Smith wanted 5,000 copies printed, but he had no means to pay for them. Martin Harris had to sell the mortgage to his farm. Talk about faith! The printer, E. B. Granding himself, was not a believer. He printed the book, but told everyone not to believe it because it was a hoax. He was never baptized. But it's interesting to see how the Lord uses ordinary people, even those who don't believe in him, to accomplish His great work.
It's also interesting how Joseph Smith wanted nothing but the best for the Lord. E. B. Granding tried to convince him to print the books in Paperback, but Joseph insisted they be printed on the finest leather, hardcover. That jacked the price up quite a bit as well, but he didn't care. We see that same pattern in the Temples we build today, and even in th Temples built during pioneer times. It just goes to show you how Joseph and the early Saints valued the things of God more than the things of the world.
There were tons of other things that I learned and could mention, but I think that's enough for now. Needless to say, it was a remarkable trip, one of the best P-Days I've ever had. And I've had some great P-Days. I'm grateful for the opportunity that I had to go, and for the privilege it is to be a part of this great church. I know it's true. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.
One last thing that stood out to me from the tour: In the Visitors' Center, the Senior missionary who was speaking was showing us that picture of Joseph Smith looking up at Moroni when he first visited him in his bedroom. Joseph looks awestruck at the Heavenly Messenger before him. As he should be. But then he pointed out that Moroni was probably equally as awestruck at the privilege to be talking to Joseph Smith, who he knew to be one of the most influential people in the world. At the time, Joseph didn't know what his destiny was. But Moroni did. He wrote about him in the Book of Mormon.
Think about that.
Love you guys!
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