Trip of a Lifetime: Day 9

This was my favorite day of this whole trip. After seeing things I have only seen in textbooks, walked where our founding fathers once walked, and been in absolute history nerd heaven...this day will always have a place in my heart and will be something I'll remember forever.

A place called Palmyra, New York.

We left in the morning and drove 3 hours to a town called Waterloo, New York. Some of you will recognize this name, this is where the Peter Whitmer farm is. The place where the church was born, the place that Joseph Smith finished translating the Book of Mormon.

 There was a spirit every where we went on this day. Going into the upstairs of this home where Joseph Smith spent hours translating the Book of Mormon was just crazy and such a cool experience.

Next up was just about a half hour away, Palmyra, New York.

First we showed up at the Visitor's Center where a cute old lady told us that it would be a while until the next tour and then quickly recommended a good place to grab some quick dinner. Man, that lady knows her stuff because we literally found the secret of Palmyra. A little "Parkers Drive Inn" type place called:

We ordered some food and, by suggestion of the cute sister missionary, a HALF KIDDIE cone. The half kiddie is like the size of a Love It at Cold Stone. You don't want to even know what the "small" is.

After that we met up with our friends and did the tour around the Smith homes and Sacred Grove.

The picture below is of the 'starter' home of the Smith's. They built this small because they were planning on building a larger home down the road later on.

This is also the home that Moroni appeared to Joseph telling him of the gold plates.

The picture above and below is the whole upstairs. Can you believe that they crammed that many kids into such a small living area? Not only that but a being with a countenance comparable to the sun appeared in this room without waking anyone else up haha. Joke but true, God's plan is perfect.

I almost fell on this staircase, you can't put your whole foot down, the steps aren't big enough.

This is a picture of the Palmyra Temple from the road that both of the Smith's homes are on.

Cool story: If you go into the temple that window that you see in the picture is actually the only clear window in any of the temples. Usually there are stain-glass windows depicting different things from the scriptures, etc. This window was left clear because it looks into the Sacred Grove (as I take this picture the sacred grove is behind me about 100 yards)

This is the bigger home that Alvin, the oldest boy, built. It's so pretty!

It was in this home that mobs came looking for the plates which Joseph now had possession of. The box on top of the dresser is a replica of what he might have kept it in.

Some of you may know the stories of different places that Joseph hid the plates. The first one is the picture above. He dug up the bricks on the floor of the fireplace and hid them underneath. When mobs came, they scavenged everywhere but had no idea they were walking on it.

The second place is in the Coopers. (a cooper is someone who makes barrels) If your a baseball fan... Cooper=barrelmaker=barrel of a bat=we just came from cooperstown, home of the baseball hall of fame. Good moment.

Anyways, Joseph originally hid them under the floorboards in the Cooper's barn that is right across from the home. But was later instructed to hide them somewhere else. So he left the box which the plates were usually in underneath the floorboards, but wrapped in cloth, he placed the plates up in the ceiling. Again, as mobs came they checked everywhere including underneath the floorboards but this time it was merely inches above their heads.

This is the most peaceful place on earth. Even comparable to being inside a temple.

If you have a chance to visit the Sacred Grove, do so. I loved every second and literally didn't want to leave. We spread out, I also recommend this, so we just got to walk at our pace in silence and reflect and think. It was so lush green and sunny so I got some really cool shots through the trees. The next few pictures are some that I took.

Right after we walked through the Sacred Grove we got to go do baptisms at the Palmyra Temple!

It was probably the most spiritual high day I've ever had. The temple workers there made the experience so personal and great. Because there isn't too much traffic through that temple and because it's pretty small, it just makes the experience that much more special. The 1st counselor in the temple presidency even came and talked to us before we started, very neat.

To finish out the perfect day we stopped at Hill Cumorah!

I've never had a desire to go see the pageant but I sure do now! I want to go back so bad!

First edition of the Book of Mormon, printed in 1830.

Inside the visitors center they had a bunch of the costumes used in the play and even some famous people that have played major roles.

Then we got to walk up Hill Cumorah... exclusive thought process of Marlisa as she is walking up Hill Cumorah, "This would be such a great hill to sled on in the winter!!!!!"

Seriously though, it even has jumps.

Anyways, this was the best day of the trip for sure. I felt so peaceful and on such a spiritual high, it was amazing. I know the gospel is true, I've known it my whole life. Not because my parents told me or my teachers but because I've felt it without even asking. It bears truthfulness in my life every single day. I definitely gained a huge testimony of Joseph Smith this day. I've known he was a prophet and that he restored this wonderful gospel back to the earth but I didn't fully grasp his LOVE for the gospel and for his father in heaven. I felt it all through Palmyra and from the stories. He put his life on the line, protected the golden plates with everything he had, and just had the bravery and heart to stand up for what he believed through thick and thin. I love this gospel with all my heart.

Next up: New York City