Palmyra New York

Day 1 of New York Trip...

Rochester-New York-July 18, 2009

Sandra and I flew into Rochester New York (that is me there waiting for our plane to leave JFK to Rochester, its 6am), where Annie and Britt picked us up from the airport. We went back to the hotel and picked up Kristie and Larry Larsen. We all went and saw some of the church historic sites. The Book of Mormon printing shop, Sacred Grove, the statue of Moroni a the top of Hill Cumorah and we saw the Pageant.

I think that all of us were so caught up in emotions. It was the most amazing experience. As I looked at everyone in our group, they all seemed to be deep in thought and feeling. As we were driving to the Sacred Grove, I got a little choked up thinking about my excitement. Here are my thoughts and confirmation to the truth that I know and have testimony of...

I stood on hallowed grounds, a place where a prophet of God lived, a place where angels visited, a place where revelation was revealed, where the restoration took place but most of all, where God the Father and Jesus Christ came and spoke to the young boy Joseph. As I walked through the house of where Joseph Smith lived, I felt a peace in my heart. I saw where he slept, where he hid the Book of Mormon from the mobs of people. I saw where he defended and protected what we have today. After seeing his living headquarters, we walked toward the sacred grove it got so quiet. You could hear the birds singing and the thoughts kept coming to my mind; "I saw a pillar of light exactly above my head, above the brightness of the sun which descending gradually until it fell upon me. And when that light rested upon me, I saw two personages whose brightness and glory defy all description, one of them spake unto me pointing to the other saying, 'This is my Beloved Son, hear him' ". I know that this took place in this tender location. Also the words of "I Stand All Amazed" kept flooding my mind.

We had the opportunity to sit for a minute. I know that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to the young boy Joseph and his prayer was answered. I know that through his faith and diligence the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to it's fullness. I am so grateful for this knowledge and for the opportunity to have this experience. I am grateful to know these things, I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who cares so much about needs. He knows us, and our hearts. We are his children. One day it would be an honor to meet Joseph and his wife Emma. To hear there experiences from there own mouths. After the Sacred Grove experience, we will the Hill Cumorah, the place where the plates were hidden. And then we saw the pageant. WOW. So powerful, so real, so true. Again, another witness to my own testimony that these things are true. How could anyone doubt this? The spirit was powerful and reconfirmed the truth I have been given.

Day 2- Palmyra - New York - July 19, 2009


So we went to church today in Palmyra right across from the Palmyra Temple. Wow. What a beautiful place. Sacrament meeting was packed, like stake conference. A lot of people were there from the pageant, and out of town visitors. Really cool. The spirit was strong. We stood to sing, The Spirit of God, at the end. Wow. Words can't even come close to describing those feelings. After sacrament meeting Annie, Sandra, Britt and I walked over to the temple and walked those grounds. Took some pictures and watch Sandra frolicked in the fields. Then we went back to the hotel and changed to head to see the Niagara Falls. WOW. Awe & Wonder!!. Not even close to the Foz do Iguacu, but it was beautiful, the creations of God.

More blogs of the trip to come. Off to bed to get ready for the drive to the city tomorrow, where we will be for the rest of our vacation. For more pictures check... www.flickr.com/photos/littleandeye