September 8, 2010 - Wednesday - Binghamton, NY to Fayette, the Palmyra, NY

Peter Whitmer Farm, Fayette, NY

We began the day driving to Fayette, NY and visiting the Peter Whitmer Farm House where the final portion of the Book of Mormon was translated and copyrighted, the three witnesses and Mary Whitmer saw the golden plates, and the Church was first organized in 1830.


Then we drove to Palmyra, NY, and made our way to the top of the Hill Cumorah where Joseph Smith received the golden plates from Moroni. From the Hill, I texted Heather that “we have the entire Hill to ourselves – not another soul in sight” to which Heather responded: “. . . except Moroni.”

Then we visited the Palmyra Temple and Dad wondered about possibly attending a temple endowment session. The Temple President rushed up to shake Dad’s hand and while the Temple normally does not rent out Temple clothing to tourists, President Strassburg arranged clothing for Dad. This was a wonderful opportunity for Dad to attend the Temple in Palmyra (at 6 pm Eastern Time) which was the very same time that his sweetheart, Mom, was attending the Temple in Salt Lake (at 4 pm Mountain Time).

Sacred Grove

As Dad walked through the Temple lobby towards the inner sanctum, he was quickly surrounded by many friendly, helpful Temple workers all dressed in white welcoming him, taking his arm, and showing him the way like a long-lost brother. I had the impression that this picture is very similar to what will happen when Dad finally passes on to the other side (which will hopefully be many years in the future) and he is greeted by friends and loved ones in white hugging him and showing him the way.

For the two hours that Dad was in the Temple, I was in the Sacred Grove. It was late and I had the entire Grove to myself – not a soul in sight except for squirrels and deer – very inspirational.

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From Dad:

I’ve always loved Oliver Cowdery’s description of what was happening in his time as he worked closely with the Prophet: “These were days never to be forgotten - - to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of Heaven awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom.” [JSH Page 58]

Palmyra Temple

These days – now - are indeed days never to be forgotten. To walk where Joseph walked. To be where Joseph received revelation. To see the homes and places where Joseph and his dear Emma struggled through early years of marriage while carrying out the demands of his divine calling.


My heart is full of appreciation, compassion, and admiration as I experience these very places that Joseph frequented in attempting to carry out his calling. Apparently he once said that he could not have continued in his difficult tasks except that he felt “called” by the Lord to do so, and thus had no choice but to continue.


There is something about standing on ground where he once stood, whether merely the porch of the Josiah Stoll home, or the spot where John the Baptist laid hands on his head, or, as this morning, the Hill Cumorah where Moroni at last turned over the sacred plates for translation and safe keeping.

It’s all so real to be here where so much happened. What a blessing to experience history so personally.