Pilgrimage: Pathways of the Past Strengthen the Future

One hundred and ninety two years ago (September 21-22, 1824) the Angel Moroni appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith in the log house on the Smith farm. The next day Joseph went to the Hill Cumorah to see the plates for the first time. Here is a link In Joseph’s own words concerning his history: http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1?lang=eng

On this anniversary Adam and I climbed aboard one of the famous blue belly warplanes and headed to Buffalo, NY and from there via car to Palmyra, NY…the birthplace of the restoration.

Arriving in Buffalo, NY

It all started when I had some time off from work and Adam has progressed to the point where he could travel… so I discussed it with Cindy and we felt a Father/Son trip was in order. We offered Adam a trip to anywhere he would like to go… within reason of course. Not really thinking about it too long he quickly responded that he would like to go to the Sacred Grove and other Church sites.

DONE!!

As a parent I was overwhelmed with his desires and grateful for a son who has such a focus on the gospel.. wanting to strengthen his testimony and prepare himself to share the gospel as a full time missionary.

After arriving in Palmyra on a beautiful September morning, we stopped at the temple and walked the grounds; it was a time of togetherness yet it was a time of isolation. We shared time together, arm-in-arm, smiles and kind words of inquire, yet we found ourselves isolated with our thoughts, thoughts bigger than the world around us… thoughts of the temple and of the time when Adam will enter it’s sacred doors… thoughts of the eternities; We were embracing those realities that are lasting and never dim with the passage of time. The sun was shining, the air was crisp and clean, the fields were beautiful and the trees had a hint of change in their leaves. When places of worship and the grounds upon which they rest are dedicated to the Most High God, we tread softly and reverently… Finding ourselves free from the weight of worldly matters.

Palmyra Temple located on part of the old Smith Farm

Just a short distance away from the Temple is located the Smith farm with a visitor center, the log house along with the other structures, but more importantly resides the land known as the sacred grove. It was here in the spring of 1820 that the boy prophet went to inquire of the Lord in the form of a prayer… interesting that he went to the Lord with a question… These are sacred grounds, for it was here… somewhere within these woods that God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared and spoke with Joseph. The heavens were once again open, the knowledge concerning the nature and being of God and His Son were were once again known with a surety.

As we approached the entrance to the grove, Adam and I were excited, thrilled, humbled and unsure all at the same time.

Outside the Sacred Grove

Just entering The Sacred Grove

There were very few others in the area so we felt as if we had the place to ourselves. As we entered Adam’s pace slowed, he began to fall behind, as if he wanted to take in every step, every tree and every sound.. I slowed my pace to match his. There are a number of paths that circle around in the grove, that head in a number of directions… We chose one and kept walking… the sun was coming through the trees as scattered rays of light diffused before our eyes.. it was cool under the canopy, allowing us to hear and see the sights and sounds more clearly. It was a beautiful walk.. not many words were spoken between us, but our thoughts were one. We wondered “where might the spot be where the event of the ages took place?” Eventually we climbed to high ground and found a place to sit… alone and totally away from the cares of life. We read parts of the scriptures… We read of the Savior’s appearance to the Nephites… The last moments with His disciples in Jerusalem, and of his teachings while on the Cross…we read D&C 76 along with Joseph’s account of the First Vision… then we pondered. After a time, we began to share thoughts and ideas.. simple at first… mostly feelings, but our conversation grew to discuss our individual place in the “big picture” … We asked ourselves “how is our standing before Heavenly Father?” “What is our place among all thing?” “What purpose do we have?” These are a few of the questions among items that we asked ourselves… One feeling that was confirmed to us…is that we are known to God…. He knows us personally! … we just have to have faith… have patience and keep fighting a good fight… then all that is promised will be.

We walked arm-in-arm… sometimes talking and at other times moving in silence… reflecting upon thoughts and feelings. I don’t know how far we traveled but it was some distance when you consider the the winding and climbing we did. When we broke out of the grove onto the open fields the feelings and presence of the grove left us just as the sun chased away the cold from our faces… the longing to return is anchored, the spirit is remembered… we are anchored to this foundation, to this restoration, our ties are here but we go forth, strengthened, yet tethered to these humbled beginnings.

A fence on the Smith property, one like Joseph attempted to cross after the night with the Angel… then off to Cumorah he went.