Day 5 Gettsyburg PA -Monday

We drove late last night to try to get closer to Gettysburg I was getting tired from our day of adventures seeing church history sites.  It felt so good to arrive to our hotel for a nights rest and relax.  We have had a very busy schedule trying to fit it all in at each site we visited. This morning I needed to take the time to wash my hair and clean up. Hadn’t washed it since we left last Wednesday.  Feeling good to freshen up and have clean hair, I curled it but it is impossible with the humidity here it just turns to frizz fast.  We have about an hour drive to Gettysburg.  It is cloudy and misty today, from a tropical storm coming in from the south. .. Gettysburg was very sad to see the lives given in the Civil War for the cause of freedom for all races.  Over 650,000 men died in the War.  

Day 4 Palmyra & Harmony PA - Sabbath Day

Our candle light Breakfast Our Bed & Breakfast.  The bed wasn’t the best, but so nice to have a place to sleep for the night.  The older lady was so gracious and served us a lovely breakfast.  Her home dated back to 1855.  It had 16 room and large for the time period.  They had remodeled many years back.  She was a collector and way to many thing in her home.  she appeared to be a hoarder... from that we headed over to the the Eire Canal Lock very interesting. 

From there we headed to Waterloo, New York to the place where The church of Jesus Christ was organized April 6th 1830 in a little long cabin, Peter Whitmer’s home of the 8 witness of the Book of Mormon.  Joseph went to their home to complete the translation of the Book of Mormon after the prediction became so bad in Harmony, PA.  

D & C - Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Fayette, New York, April 6, 1830. This revelation was given at the organization of the Church, on the date named, in the home of Peter Whitmer Sr. Six men, who had previously been baptized, participated. By unanimous vote these persons expressed their desire and determination to organize, according to the commandment of God (see section 20). They also voted to accept and sustain Joseph Smith Jr. and Oliver Cowdery as the presiding officers of the Church. With the laying on of hands, Joseph then ordained Oliver an elder of the Church, and Oliver similarly ordained Joseph. After administration of the sacrament, Joseph and Oliver laid hands upon the participants individually for the bestowal of the Holy Ghost and for the confirmation of each as a member of the Church.

Day 3 -Nigeria Falls & Palmyra, Ohio

Here we come Nigeria Falls !! Saturday October 6th. This is some where I have always wanted to go!! So excited.  Today the beginning of General Comference too!  So excited to hear the special messages.  We stayed at a lovely hotel for the night and got a great night sleep. Better than the night before.  The Falls are amazing a natural wonder to see..  they are massive with deep gorge drop off and massive water flowing.  From there we drove into Palmyra.  We have had a great day seeing the sights in Palmyra.  

Our first stop coming into Palmyra was the printing press of the Book of Mormon.  It was fascinating to learn about the process in printing the first 5000 copies of the book in 1830..

Very touching to stand at the grave site of Joseph Smiths beloved brother Alvin that died in 1823.  His grave site just around the corner from Main Street where four large churches are built-each on one corner.  Explains the contention of the various religions competing for membership in their church.  We then headed down the road to visit Martin Harris farm,  he sold his 160 acres to help pay for the Book of Mormon printing.  Beautiful homestead site.  

From there We visited the Palmyra visitor center and Temple.  The temple is very small. Dedicated in 2000.  

Smiths Family Farm -was not far from the temple.  

The family home where Angel Moroni Appeared to Joseph,he was in his 17th year old. 

Not far from their home is where Jospeh prayed for answers as he was prompted from reading the scriptures James 1:5 “!If any like wisdom, let him as of God.” 

 From their home we walked the Sacred Grove.  Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and told us great stories about the family and location I have never heard before so it was fun to learn new information.  

I collected leaves 🍁 from our path walking in the sacred grove for all my young women 15 of them and my 19 grandchildren.  I want to make a special bookmark for each of them.  We felt such a peaceful spirit of love from my heaven Father while walking thru the grove of trees.... The Hill of Cumorah, our last stop of the day.  The day was coming to a close and getting dark.  So spiritual to see the Hill where Jospeh obtained the golden plates.  In September 22 1827.   

The day came to a close we needed to find a place to stay for the night.  Surprising all the hotels around we sold out.  We ended up staying in a Bed and Breakfast down town Palmyra.  Felt good to rest from our busy day and listen to a few general conference talks.  We had to miss with our site seeing.  It was announce our church meetings are shorten to 2 hours on Sunday now.  Encouraging more study and family time in the home.  We will have new curriculum to reinforce the learning at home and then follow up on the same subjects at church on Sunday class time the last hour.  Young women’s will be on 2 a month on the 2 & 4 Sunday the 1 & 3 Sunday’s will be Sunday school teaching.  Excited for the new changing,  I know there was a prophecy that before the second coming more teaching needs to take place in the homes and that we will have less church time.  Putting the responsibility on the parents teaching their children.   We are witnesses this prophecy being fulfilled in our time.