Touring the Church History Sites -- Oct 19th 2008

WHITMER FARM, SMITH FARM AND THE SACRED GROVE.

On Sunday we took Tanessa, Jake and Addi to our Ward in Pittsford and then we spent the rest of the day touring the Church History Sites. They had the opportunity to visit the Whitmer Farm in Fayette where the Church was organized on April 6,1830. We also visited the Smith Farm where Joseph Smith's family lived and farmed when Joseph was young. We visited the Log Home and the Frame Home that the Smith's built. We also enjoyed walking in the beautiful Sacred Grove which is part of the original Smith Farm area.


Grandpa, Tanessa, Jake and Addi at the Welcome Center of the Smith Farm, pictured with the beautiful statue of the First Vision called "Face to Face" by Dee Jay Bawden. (Incidentally, we just learned last night [Oct. 25] that this statue is being removed from here and being shipped to Salt Lake City tomorrow) -- we are very sad to see it go! It depicts such a tender and loving Heavenly Father and Christ appearing to the Prophet Joseph Smith.


Jake, Addi and Tanessa in the downstairs of the Smith Log Home. It was from here that Joseph went into the grove to pray.


Tanessa, Jake and Grandpa in the upstairs room of the Smith's Log Home. This is where the Angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith on the night of Sept. 21-22, 1823.


Addi leaving the Frame Home where the Smith's lived when Joseph obtained the Plates. This home is 85% original.


Grandpa, Jake , Tanessa and Addi at the entrance to the Sacred Grove.


Tanessa and Jake at one of the OLDER trees in the Sacred Grove. (see below).


This plaque was placed at the foot of this tree in 1962. This may be one of the very oldest trees.


This is our sweet Addi -- stopping to ponder along the trail in the Sacred Grove. She loved all the leaves!!


GRANDIN PRESS AND THE HILL CUMORAH.

They had the tour at the Grandin Publishing Co. where the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon were published. Then we went to the Hill Cumorah and they hiked up the Hill at sunset and enjoyed seeing the Moroni Monument and looking around the hill. After which we went to the Visitor's Center resource room where everyone could just mill around and enjoy all the touch screen exhibits and videos.

All of us at the top of the Hill Cumorah.

Grandma Hamblin, Addi and Grandpa Hamblin at the Moroni monument, Hill Cumorah.