Christmas Season Memories

We went to visit the John Johnson Farm in Hiram, Ohio the day after Christmas.  They had a gingerbread house display and then we were able to go on a tour.  We've been here many times, yet each time the Spirit touches me in a new way and I learn and have my testimony strengthened each time.  I am so grateful we live close enough to experience these amazing church history sites.

Joel was able to take vacation for almost the entire 2 weeks the kids were out of school.  We didn't go anywhere big or do anything major.  We just enjoyed being together as a family.  I'm grateful Joel loves to be home with us.  He tells me one of his favorite things to do is just be home and experience the day to day routine of family life that he misses when he is at work. The kids love when Dad is home, almost as much as I do! ;)

We played lots of games together...lots of late nights with snacks, fun, and laughter!

Hill Cumorah Pageant

Such a great traveler!

 Thomas was asked to work staff for the week of Zion's Camp, an LDS Scout Camp near Palmyra, NY.  Since the timing of it fell during the Hill Cumorah Pageant we decided to make the trip as a family.  I love family road trips because we are all together and we can escape, to some degree, the outside distractions and just focus on each other.

 We were able to visit Harmony, PA along the banks of the Susquehanna River.  This is the Priesthood Restoration site.  It was the first time we had been here and we loved it!  So glad we made this stop.

 This was the home of Emma's parents.

This great picture was moments before they turned into dominoes and fell down the steps bonking heads along the way.  Never a dull moment!

In the morning we were busy getting things ready to go and Rebekah was fussing.  Jacob found a way to calm her down by offering his thumb to her! ;)

We then headed toward Palmyra and arrived late in the evening.  We were able to stay in the Palmyra Inn again.  We love being so close to the Sacred Grove and the Palmyra Temple.  The next morning Joel and I were able to attend a temple session and then we headed to the Sacred Grove as a family.  The cool thing about living so close to these special sites is we have been here many times so we don't feel rushed to see everything.  We just enjoyed our time.

 After visiting a few more places we headed to Hill Cumorah.  We were able to get front row seats for the pageant.  While we were waiting for the pageant we took turns going to the visitor center at Hill Cumorah, played some games on the field, and ate our picnic dinner.

 Prior to the pageant beginning the cast mingled with the crowd.  We loved finding our favorite scripture heroes and getting pictures with them.  They were so fun to talk with.  All the kids loved this part of the pageant.  Some of the cast were trying to recruit our family to coming next year and being part of the cast.  They were successful at convincing our children...Joel and I are not yet convinced!

The show was spectacular.  The Spirit was so strong and testimonies were strengthened.  I loved talking with the kids after and hearing their favorite part of the show.  The Book of Mormon is truly another testament of Jesus Christ.  We have a loving Savior that has done so much for each of us.  This experience strengthened my resolve to live more fully the teachings of Jesus Christ and strive each day to do a little more than the day before.  I'm so grateful for the efforts and service all these amazing people put into this performance so our family could have an amazing spiritual experience.

Taste of Heaven

June brought a piece of heaven to our family.  We were so blessed to have family visiting with us for nearly 3 weeks.  It has been such a long awaited time and we soaked in every minute of it but it went by far too quickly, as it always does.  How grateful I am for my wonderful family and all they did to bring joy and love to us this month.  I know memories were made, times remembered, and love strengthened.  Our Father in Heaven loves us so much to allow us to experience family relationships here on earth as we learn to be more like Him and prepare for eternal life together.

My parents arrived at the beginning of the month, on Monday afternoon, and were able to attend the end of the year awards assembly at the Elementary School.  That was so fun for the kids to have them there.  They spent the week with us playing games including an impromptu baseball (anything goes style) game in the backyard one evening.  They took time to spend with each of the kiddos and make them feel so special.  My dad joined Thomas and Joel for a scout overnighter at the John Johnson farm.  I loved having my parents here and am so grateful that my mom's health allowed her to come and share time with us. 

Saturday brought a few trips to the airports as we welcomed all of my siblings and their spouses and children to the great state of Ohio!  We had fun playing outside and just catching up and enjoying each other.  There is an amazing peace and fulfillment that comes when you are surrounded by family members and able to share moments together.  We loved having all of them come to church with us on Sunday and then some went to visit Kirtland after church.  Monday the guys headed off to the NFL Hall of Fame and the kiddos loved playing with their cousins. 

Tuesday morning we headed to Palmyra, New York.  We were able to go to the Joseph Smith Farm and tour the Smith homes.  I love the peace and the beauty of Palmyra.  While in the Smith Barn the missionaries gave us time to share testimony and feelings with each other.  The Spirit testified to me of the grand design of our Father in Heaven.  Joseph Smith endured so much while in Palmyra to restore this gospel to the earth.  And, when it comes down to it...it really is all about learning as families to live righteously so we can have the blessing of exaltation together.  As family testified and shared thoughts I realized how truly blessed I am to have been born to goodly parents that have helped begin a legacy of faith in each of us so we can help continue that legacy in our individual families.


Following the tour we were able to walk together through the Sacred Grove.  Prior to entering the grove the kids were kinda bouncy and running and talking excitedly with each other.  At the entrance to the grove Joel gathered our children and reminded them of the sacredness of the grove and invited them to reverently walk through the grove and pay attention to the feelings they felt and to see if they could hear the wind in the leaves or a bird chirping.  I know the Spirit of our Father in Heaven is so prominent in the Sacred Grove.  The kids were calm and peaceful.  I love being in the grove and I love that our children have had numerous opportunities to walk through on this hallowed ground where our Father in Heaven and Savior, Jesus Christ, appeared to the boy Joseph.

Later that evening Joel and I, my parents, and Alanna & Eric were able to attend an endowment session at the Palmyra Temple.  I love being in the temple and was overwhelmed by the joy of family as we were in the temple together.  The cool thing is Thomas was also able to join a group and perform baptisms in the Palmyra temple that evening as well.

Wednesday morning we went to the EB Grandin building, the Book of Mormon Publication Site, Hill Cumorah, and then to the Peter Whitmer Farm in Fayette, New York.  It is amazing to me how blessed we are to be able to visit these amazing places and have our testimonies strengthened and our resolve to more fully live the gospel in our daily lives.  I loved walking as a family up the Hill Cumorah and looking out toward the Sacred Grove.  This trip to Palmyra I was struck by how the Lord really has a hand in the minute details of our life.  He has a plan and each of us are a part of that plan.  If we allow ourselves to be receptive to the promptings and guidance of the Holy Ghost we will be able to be instruments in His hands.  I think oftimes we don't realize when we have been that instrument and, unfortunately, I know many times I get stuck in the thick of thin things which makes it difficult for me to be the instrument that is needed.  I resolve to do better at taking the necessary quiet time to ponder and draw closer to my Father in Heaven.

Wednesday evening most headed back to the Smith Farm around dusk to watch the fireflies and walk through the grove again.  I stayed back with our 3 little ones that were sleeping but Joel said it was a wonderful evening.  The kids caught tons of fireflies and loved being together

Unfortunately, Thursday morning came and it was time to head home.  I love being in Palmyra and it was sad to go.  We stopped by Niagara Falls on the way home and were able to go on the Maid of the Mist.  It was a great time.  Saturday was a sad day as everyone flew back home.  It was hard to say goodbye but we treasure the time we spend together.  Fortunately, Alanna planned to stay with us for a few more days so we were able to spend more time with her which made it easier for all of us. I am so grateful for all of my family; for the sacrifices they each made to come and share this time with us.  I think we were all able to share a little bit of heaven on earth together.

Kirtland

We decided to head to Kirtland today.  We have been so many times but the kids never tire of being there.  They all have their favorite parts of the area and today we even went out to the Isaac Morley farm.  The other times we have gone it has either not been opened for tours or we just never fit it in our schedule.  This is where the Prophet stayed for some time and it is also where the 1st Conference of the church was held as where the first High Priests were ordained.  We were able to take a short hike up to near where the log schoolhouse used to stand that these events took place.  It was on these grounds that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith as well.  We loved our time together.  I think my favorite thing about living here is the ease at which we can go to these hallowed lands where Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared and that the early Saints walked on as they sacrificed so much for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ that now blesses our lives. 

Final Day in Nauvoo

We started early on Friday morning visiting some of the outdoor places that we had not yet been to and that did not require a tour. We visited the quarry for the original temple rock.  Then we went to the Pioneer Memorial.  This is at the end of the Trail of Hope near where the Saints crossed the Mississippi River on their exodus out of Nauvoo.  This is a memorial with over 2,000 names of Saints that were known to have died on the trek west to the Salt Lake Valley.  We found 2 family names on the wall.  The name of John Worsley, my paternal 4th Great Grandfather who died in Missouri.  We also found the name of Julia Hills Johnson.  This is the mother of Joel Hills Johnson, a great grandfather of Joel whom he is named after.  This brought such an overwhelming feeling of gratitude to us. We also found the names of other ancestors of ours that were in Nauvoo and made the exodus west.  I can't find the words to describe the wave of emotion that overcame us as we thought of the legacy our ancestors have given to us.  We were walking on the grounds they walked on as they so valiantly and courageously left all they had to follow the council of the prophet.  As we drove down the trail of hope with our children we talked to them about why the Saints left Nauvoo...that it all came down to the fact that they left because the Prophet asked them to.  We looked back at the beautiful temple and we could almost see the thriving city of homes, stores, shops, and farms that they left behind.  The kids all talked of how hard this must have been.  Sammy, in particular, mentioned many times how "they must have been so sad to leave their homes.  I bet they cried a lot...even the dads."  We took the opportunity as we sat looking back at the temple to remind the kids that there may be times in their lives when they think it is hard to follow the counsel of the prophet and we want them to remember this moment and to remember what the Saints did to follow the Prophet.  We promised them if they remember this feeling they will find the courage and the desire to always follow the prophet.  This one moment with our children was worth the trip.  I pray they will remember this time and will find the courage and fortitude to continue to develop their testimony of our Savior and to always remember it is Him that our Prophet speaks for so it is the Savior they are following when they follow the Prophet.

We then went to the Sarah Granger Kimball home, Wilford Woodruff Home, and Heber C. Kimball home.  While in the Heber C. Kimball home we learned that his family had lived in a shack made from the wood of an old barn, and mud huts for the first years in Nauvoo before they were able to build their beautiful home that we toured.  They had lived in their home for only 4 months before they left it behind and headed west.  What obedient and humble people they were.  We have so much to learn from them.  Then we made another visit to the brickyard, which was a favorite of all.  After lunch we spent the rest of the afternoon in the Family Learning Center learning about pottery and making more ropes.  Then we went back to the Seventies Hall and the children signed the registry as Descendants of John Worsley, a Seventy in Nauvoo.

That evening we went for a short drive.  We drove into Missouri just so we could say we had been in that state.  We even bought gas there!  Then we drove to Montrose, Iowa which is the city across the Mississippi River that the Saints went to when leaving Nauvoo.  It was amazing to be able to see acorss the river to Nauvoo and to see the temple so clearly on the hill.  We pondered how difficult it must have been for the Saints to look back and see the temple...it looked so close and really in distance it was so close, yet it was so far away and they knew they would never return.

This has been one of our most memorable Christmas vacations ever.  Sammy cried last night as we were driving back to the condo.  He kept asking us through his tears, "Can't we stay just one more day?"  We would have loved to say yes but knew we needed to come home.  None of us wanted to leave the peace and wonderful Spirit found in Nauvoo.  It definitely is a "Beautiful City."

Nauvoo...Day 3

Thursday was a BEAUTIFUL day!  We started the morning walking to the school house.  In the schoolhouse we learned how important education was to Joseph Smith and the early Saints.  At that time in history about 1 in 6 children were educated; however, Joseph felt all children needed to have the opportunity to attend school.  This was a very fun stop and the kids enjoyed doing some math problems to calculate that in Nauvoo there were approximately 2600 homes that housed the 12,000 people.  That is astounding when you consider Nauvoo now is a town with a population of 1100!  Following the schoolhouse we went to the shoe shop to learn how shoes were made.  Then the kids really wanted to walk around the temple grounds some more so we took advantage of the beautiful weather and spent almost an hour walking around the beautiful temple.  As we were walking the kids began singing "I Love to See the Temple."  How grateful we are for the opportunity we had to share together.

We went on the wagon ride again, as this was a favorite of everyone's!  We hurried back to the condo for lunch and decided we were going to extend our trip one more day because none of us were ready to leave!  We had originally planned to leave early Friday morning.  The kids were beyond excited when they found out we could stay one more day.  After lunch we went to the Seventies Hall.  The kids enjoyed being able to pretend they were giving a talk at the podium.  Then it was off to the Blacksmith Shop to learn how wagons and horseshoes were made. Everyone was given a prarie diamond...a horseshoe nail that was bent to make a ring.  We then enjoyed a pleasant walk to Brigham Young's home.  It was really neat to be able to go inside his root cellar and see how much cooler it was inside.  We then walked over to the cultural hall for a tour.  We were able to go to the top level where dances were held and the kids went to the balcony to pretend they were the band for the dance!  And, oh how they echoed!  I'm so grateful the missionaries are all grandmas who just love children and are not bothered by their excitement for life!  We took a long walk back to the van and the kids loved running in the fields.  We went back to the condo for dinner and then to "Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo" again.  This is a highlight for our kids and they have been singing the songs, complete with hand gestures and facial expressions, all week!  I can't even begin to describe the excitement, energy, and love that the missionaries share during this performance.  We enjoyed meeting and talking with the cast afterwards outside.  These wonderful Senior Missionaries make Nauvoo amazing.  They recognize our children and remember things about them.  They talk with them and love them.  It is amazing how strong of a bond that can be formed when we share testimony and feel the Spirit of our Father in Heaven together.  I'm so glad this was not our final day in Nauvoo.  None of us were ready to leave.

Day Two in Nauvoo

We started our morning driving out to Carthage, Illinois.  We had a wonderful tour of Carthage Jail.  I was somewhat apprehensive, at first, to visit this place because I wasn't sure how I would feel with the sadness of learning more of the martrydom of Joseph Smith.  I was surprised how comforting the tour was.  We learned about Carthage Jail.  The Jail was in the home of the Jailor and his 7 children.  The jailor told Joseph and Hyrum they were not criminals and he was not going to treat them like criminals so he had them take his room so they would be upstairs, in a safer place and more comfortable with the summer heat and humidity.  When the mobs broke through the door of the house the jailor was not home; however, his wife and a few young children were.  She grabbed her children and ran out the back door so they were, fortunately, not in the home when the marytrdom took place.  It was so powerful as we listened to a recording depicting the events of the matrydom.  What an example of faith and testimony Joseph was.  It was recorded that the last things the Prophet Joseph spoke was how he wished he see and be with his family one more time and that he could teach the gospel one more time.  What a reminder to me of where my priorities should be.

As we drove back to Nauvoo I made sandwiches and we ate while we were driving so we wouldn't lose any time in Nauvoo.  At a turn in the Mississippi River we could see the Nauvoo Temple off in the distance so we pulled over to walk around a bit and take some pictures.  When we got to Nauvoo we walked around the Memorial to Women statues for a few minutes before taking the Carriage Ride around Nauvoo Countryside.  This was about an hour long and we learned more about the life of the Saints during their time in Nauvoo.  We went to Joseph Smith's home, the Red Brick store, and the Mansion House.  We then learned how to make bricks at the brickyard and were given a commemorative brick.  We ended the day learning how barrels were made.  This was amazing.  It took 7 years to become a master cooper (barrel maker).  That was longer than it took to become a doctor back then.  Just goes to show how important a commodity barrels were to them.

We came to the condos for dinner and then the kids had a party in the condo while Joel and I were able to attend a session in Nauvoo Temple.  I was awestruck as we walked inside the doors of the temple.  It is breathtakingly beautiful.  I could have spent hours in the temple.  I tried to soak it all in while we were there.  After our session a temple worker walked us around the temple so we could see the batistry and other parts of the temple.  They were so kind to us as they took the time to tech us and show us many great things.  I was overcome with the sacrifice the Early Saints made to build this temple and, then, to continue building it even when they knew they would be leaving it behind.  I thought of the Saints waiting on the roads for their turn to cross the Mississippi River and looking behind them to the temple they had sacrificed so much to build knowing they would never again enter the doors of the sacred building.  It helped remind me of the eternal importance of temple covenants and the peace they bring in our lives knowing we can be with our families throughout eternity.  It also makes me realize how blessed I am to live only 3 hours from a temple and to know that as we leave the temple each month we know it will be there for us again the following month when we return.  How grateful I am for President Hinckley's desire to rebuild this beautiful temple.  We told Thomas and Spring that if we are still living out here when Spring turns 12 we will bring them back so they can go inside the temple with us.  I loved how their faces lit up when we told them this.  I love how much joy all the kids have being here and walking these sacred grounds.  We are exhausted at the end of the day, but it is the best exhaustion we could ever have!

Nauvoo...Day One

We started the day early as we headed to the Nauvoo Visitor's Center.  We were able to watch a short film entitled, "Remembering Nauvoo" which related some experiences of people who lived in Nauvoo in the 1840's.  We then went on an hour long (COLD...complete with snow and freezing rain) wagon ride through the streets of Old Nauvoo.  We learned about the history of the town and some highlights of each of the restored buildings.  We then visited the Family Living Center where we learned to make rope, learned how bread and candles were made, and learned how to weave cloth to make rugs.  The children all loved this place and Mary and Joshie loved that there were toys for them to play with.  We visited the Lyon Drugstore and a few other sites.  I brought the younger 3 back for a nap and Joel took Thomas, Spring, and Sammy back to Old Nauvoo.  They walked around the temple grounds, visited the Browning Gun Shop, Post Office, Print Shop, Tinsmith, and John Taylor home.  They came back and picked us up and we headed back to the Visitor's Center for a few minutes before it closed.  Then we hurried to the condo to make dinner and then back to the cultural hall for "Rendezvous at Old Nauvoo."  This is a musical production performed by all the Missionaries serving in Old Nauvoo.  It was spectacular, to say the least.  We were all so touched and enjoyed a lively and spiritual evening.  It was fun to meet the cast afterward. 

In the evening we were exhausted yet full of joy, contentment, and peace from the many testimonies that were shared with us by the wonderful missionaries.  How blessed we are to visit such an amazing place.  The Spirit of the early Saints is so profoundly felt as we walked the streets and into the homes, stores, and buildings of this beautiful city, Nauvoo!

Trek to Nauvoo

We packed up last night and headed out this morning for Nauvoo. It was so fun. We really are blessed with children that travel really well together. We first passed into Indiana and had to take a photo at the sign, although Joshie didn't want to get out and we knew if we got Gideon out he would not want to be put right back in his seat! A while later we crossed into Illinois. Then, as we crossed over the Mississippi River on a bridge we realized we had also crossed into Iowa. We traveled in Iowa for a short while before crossing back into Illinois and heading into Nauvoo. Before we headed to the condo we are staying in, we drove by the Nauvoo temple. As the temple came into view I was overcome with the Spirit. I love the feeling of being near a temple, especially this time. I never imagined how large the Nauvoo temple is. Maybe because we are used to smaller temples...but this temple is absolutely beautiful. I can't wait to be near it again tomorrow with our children and to go inside later this week. As we were driving around the temple (it was dark and cold so we didnt' get out tonight) Mary said,"Mom, this temple is just so beautiful!" She is absolutely right!

We love the condo we are staying in. As our children say, "It's like staying in a home away from home!" I love that there is a full kitchen so we are just cooking all our meals here. There are 2 bedrooms and a large front room and kitchen. After we made dinner and had baths the 4 younger ones headed to bed while Joel, Thomas, Spring, and I stayed up and played games together. This is going to be such a wonderful week. I am so looking forward to a week of seeing the sites, spending time as a family, and having very little outside distractions.

Thanksgiving

We were so blessed to have some family come and visit with us for Thanksgiving.  Joel's cousin, Tracy, and her family came to visit from Indiana.  Spring was so excited to finally have more girls in the house than boys since Tracy has 3 little girls.  The kids all had fun playing and spending time together for the days they were here.  We enjoyed our traditional "pie for breakfast" on Thanksgiving morning.  I really think this is the kids' favorite Thanksgiving tradition.  This year they invited friends from school as well.  We had probably 20 families join us and at one point there were 30 little kids in the house...all under the age of 11!  It was great to share in all the different pies and, more importantly, in the associations with all these wonderful people that truly bless our family's life!

It was fun to have the help of everyone in preparing dinner.  I am so grateful for a husband that enjoys helping in the kitchen and for children that love to help cook and are becoming very independent and capable in the kitchen.  I loved Thanksgiving this year as it was relaxing and enjoyable to be all together.

The following morning we were able to take Dustin & Tracy's family to the John Johnson farm in Hiram and then to Historic Kirtland.  We love being in these sacred places.  Mary and Sammy both told me that evening that they love coming to Kirtland and it is their second favorite place to go (Palmyra being their most favorite).  We were able to witness the Christmas lighting Ceremony at Historic Kirtland.  I loved it, as did all of our family.  After the lights were turned on everyone joined in singing, "Joy to the World." I found myself overcome with emotion during this to the point that I could not sing.  I thought of the joy this season brings that the whole world takes time to remember and worship our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Then I thought of the sacred ground I was standing on...in the shadows of the buildings that this same, Jesus Christ, came to testify, teach, and witness to the Prophet Joseph Smith.  The Spirit was overwhelming and powerful.  Joy to the world, the Lord is come...Let earth receive Her King!

Palmyra, NY

We were able to go to Palmyra again this past weekend, this time with Grandma and Grandpa Powell.  It was wonderful to be near these sacred places again.  I loved seeing the Sacred Grove in a different season from the last time we went.  It was absolutely beautiful and so calm to walk through the Sacred Grove.  I love the peace that I feel as I walk through the Sacred Grove.  I was so impressed with Spring's desire to pray and reflect on her own while in the Sacred Grove this time.  She wanted to be sure she had a testimony of the First Vision.  She took the time to be alone in the Grove and gain the confirmation by the Spirit of the reality of Joseph's First Vision.  I hope this is something she will always remember.

Camping

We had the opportunity to attend a ward family campout last night.  It was held at the John Johnson Farm in Hiram.  The John Johnson farm is where Joseph Smith and his family resided for about a year.  He received revelations that became 16 sections of the Doctrine and Covenants while staying here.  During this time, however, he and the church faced serious opposition from angry mobs of people.  This is the place from which the mobs dragged Joseph out of the house and tarred and feathered him.  The Church has built a beautiful campground on some of the land that they utilize for Girl's Camp during the summer months.  We loved the time being outside and enjoying our time as a family.  Joshie could hardly wait to roast marshmallows even though he would throw them in the fire when he had finished roasting them.  Thomas and Spring enjoyed going on different little hiking trails and, when it became dark, playing flashlight tag.  Mary just loved walking around and talking to everyone.  Sammy, well we didn't see much of him all evening.  He was off with the othe boys playing tag, playing baseball, and climbing on big piles of hay.  Around 10:00 last night he came back to the campfire and just climbed on my lap and cuddled with me.  He was so tired and when I finally convinced him to go lay in his tent it took less than a minute and he was snoring away.  Gideon was great and so easy.  We layed him in the tent about 8:00 and he fell right asleep even with all the kids running and screaming and playing. 

As we were sitting by the campfire last night and it was quiet I found my thoughts drifting to how blessed we are.  Here we were, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, enjoying a wonderful camping trip on the same land that, less than 200 years ago, Joseph Smith and other members of this same church were harrassed, threatened, and many times brought to near death simply because of their religious beliefs.  How blessed we are for those early members of this church that sacraficed so much and endured so many trials.  I'm so grateful for the blessings that I and my family enjoy each day because of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Videos from our trip to NY

Here are a couple videos from our trip that I forgot to include in the previous posts.

A Day in Palmyra

We were blessed to be able to travel to Palmyra, NY this past weekend for a quick trip to visit some wonderful areas of our church history.  We went to the Smith family farm.  We went on a tour of the Smith Log cabin which is where Joseph Smith's family lived during the time of religious confusion.  As we were taught some of the history of the family it was evident that the Lord had His hand in this work.  Joseph was needed to be where he was at this time to usher in the restoration of Christ's church. We looked out the door of the home that Joseph walked out on his way to the Sacred Grove to pray asking which church he was to join.  I did not realize how close the Sacred Grove was to Joseph's home.  As we stood looking out the door and the Sister Missionary recited Joseph's account of seeing God the Father and Jesus Christ the Holy Ghost confirmed to me again of the truthfulness of this experience.  Joseph did indeed see our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ in this Sacred Grove.  It was an incredible experience.  We also stood in the room where the Angel Moroni appeared to Joseph to tell him about the Golden Plates.  I was amazed at how small this home and room was for all that transpired there.  We saw some places where Joseph hid the golden plates to keep them safe from the mobs that were trying to steal them.  We then saw the Smith Frame home which was a larger home they later moved into.  The Smith farm was 100 acres and the Palmyra temple now sits on land that was part of the Smith farm.

We then were able to walk through the Sacred Grove.  This was an incredible experience as we walked the hallowed grounds, the same place that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared.  I never thought I would be able to do this.  As we walked and I reflected on all that occurred in this sacred place I was touched by the Spirit and my testimony strengthened that our Father in Heaven knows each of us and He wants each of us to return to Him.  The church was restored so we would be able to return to our Father in Heaven.  I loved having the time to talk with our children as we walked through this grove and answer their questions and hear their feelings.  I loved reflecting on the blessings the restored gospel of Jesus Christ brings to my life.  As we were walking through Joel recited the account of the First Vision in Tagalog and, even though I do not understand the words, the Spirit testified of the truthfulness of Joseph's account.  I look forward to returning to the Sacred Grove again.  How I loved being in this sacred place with my husband, children, and sister.  As we were leaving the Grove Spring told us, "I'm going to bring my children here."  Of all the fun places she has been this is the first time she has ever said this and how it warmed my heart to hear her desire to share this legacy of faith with her future family.

We then went to see the Palmyra Temple.  We walked around the outside of the temple.  Thomas and Spring commented that the Angel Moroni statue seemed really big to them.  I would love to come back sometime and go inside the temple.

We next went to the E.B. Grandin building which was the site of the publication of the first Book of Mormon.  The first 5000 copies cost $3000.  We were taught and shown all the steps of the printing and binding of the book of Mormon.  I never realized what an incredible undertaking this was at that time.  It took 7 months for the first set to be completed and 18 months for all 5000 to be printed.  What a blessed people we are to have the Book of Mormon so readily available to us today to read and study from.

We then went to the Hill Cumorah.  We were able to walk all the way to the top of the Hill Cumorah to the place where Joseph Smith received the Golden Plates.  It was quite the hike up the Hill.  I didn't realize how big of a hill it was.  It was so beautiful outside and the view was amazing.  We enjoyed reflecting on what Joseph Smith may have felt as he went to this spot each year for 4 years before receiving the plates.  Again it was incredible to walk on grounds where a Heavenly Messenger, Angel Moroni, had been.

We then drove about 45 minutes to Fayette, NY to the home of Peter Whitmer.  In this home Joseph continued more of the translation of the Book of Mormon.  He translated from 1 Nephi through Words of  Mormon.  This was also where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was restored.  This was a wonderful day for our family.  I'm so grateful Alanna was able to be with us as well.  I hope our children will remember the feelings they had as they continue to develop their testimonies.  I know Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God and that through the power of God was able to translate the Book of Mormon.  My love for the Book of Mormon grew this weekend as I realized how blessed we are to have this sacred book.  It was an incredible way to prepare for Easter as we were able to walk in places where our Resurrected Savior appeared on Earth.  Our Savior lives and we can live with Him again.  What a blessing of peace this is to me.

John Johnson Home

We took the kid to the John Johnson home this morning. It is located about 30 minutes away in Hiram, Ohio. This is the home that the Prophet Joseph and his family stayed for some time after having to leave Kirtland. John Johnson and his wife gave up their bedroom for Joseph's office and the Church Headquarters. It was in this room where 16 revelations (sections) of the Doctrine and Covenants were received including Sections 1, 76, and 131. In receiving section 76 God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon. It was also in this home where the angry mob broke in and took Joseph from his bed, dragged him outside, and tarred and feathered him. They also did this to Sidney Rigdon as well. Sidney; however, sustained further damage because as the mob dragged him out by his feet and his head bounced many times on the frozen ground. He was never the same after the tar and feathering because of the brain damage he received.

The Spirit in this home was so strong as we read Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-24. I know the Prophet saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know Christ lives. I know our church is led by a living prophet today. What a blessed people we are. We are so grateful we could go to this sacred home to learn and strengthen our testimony of the Lord's work on this earth.