UPSTATE NEW YORK

DEPARTED: After spending some time visiting the grounds of the Kirtland Temple on Saturday morning, we left for Upstate New York around 10 a.m. on August 8th.
ARRIVED: We arrived in Palmyra at the Sacred Grove at about 5 pm after visiting Niagra Falls over noontime.


VISITED: Niagra Falls, Buffalo, New York

Niagra Falls was gorgeous. A testimony of God's creation.

God bless our little family!

Hyrum exclaimed, "Look at the blue aliens!" The sightseers aboard "Maid of the Mist" on the foam below were all dressed in blue panchos.

VISITED: The Hill Cumorah in Palmyra, NY

On Cumorah's Hill in Palmyra, NY Joseph Smith received 70 lbs of golden plates inscribed with writings of ancient american prophets. Joseph translated these plates with the power of God into the Book of Mormon.

On the top of Hill Cumorah is a monument commemmorating the Book of Mormon. The week before our arrival the Hill was home to thousands of performers of the Hill Cumorah Pageant. Our children loved rolling down the steep hill. Maybe we can return to see the Pageant!

VISITED: The Sacred Grove in Palmyra, NY

On our way down this trail to the sacred grove, Hyrum said, "Guys, shhhh . . . . . be quiet, the Holy Ghost is here." Hyrum was helping us to be reverent. He must have felt the presence of God.

The Sacred Grove was our favorite part of the 3,000 mile journey.

The columns of light let in through the shade of the hardwood grove helped many wild flowers spring up through the tall grass.

We spent hours walking through the trails. What was it like the day that God visited Joseph Smith in this sacred wood?

Marinn and Matthew found an alternate way out of the grove and we had trouble meeting up with them.

The Palmyra temple can be seen from the Smith farm on the way to the Sacred Grove.

The Smith family log Cabin. Here Joseph lived and learned the Gospel from his mother. He studied the scriptures by candle light in the bedroom he shared with his brothers in the loft.

TOTAL MILES: We drove 302 miles from Kirtland to Palmyra via Niagra Falls.