The Sacred Grove

After touring the Smith Family Farm we had the wonderful experience of entering the Sacred Grove. My friends, this truly is sacred ground. There is a small wooden bridge across a small calm stream that leads into this special place. Upon entering the grove a calmness came over us that remained during the entire visit. Our friend Chuck described it as being light on your feet without a care in the world. The spirit of the Lord has a very strong presence there. It is very similar to being the holy temples of the Lord. As I quietly walked and observed the beautiful surroundings we came to a certain spot that just seemed special. We stopped and pondered about how the history of the world was altered by the events that took place there. What courage young Joseph had as he pleaded with his Heavenly Father to know the truth. The miraculous experience of the Father and the Son appearing to Joseph and calling him to be a prophet in these latter-days is simply beautiful. I felt of the reality of this event in no uncertain terms in both my mind and my heart as I reflected on these experiences. How greatful I am to be a part of this great work. It truly is a marvelous work and a wonder! I know that Jesus Christ lives and is directing His church today through a modern prophet. God loves us the same today as He did in biblical times and has called prophets to teach, guide, and direct us in righteousness. This experience added another layer of significance to the testimony that I have of this restored gospel - how grateful I am to Father in Heaven for affording us this opportunity.

Trip to Palmyra

We drove to Palmyra, New York took a few pictures of a replica of the home of Joseph and Lucy Smith. The first floor was the eating area and a bedroom off to the side, where the parents slept. There was a Bible on the table and the ceiling was 6'3" tall. The stairs led to where their children slept. As we walked up those stairs, we thought about the angel Moroni appearing to young Joseph Smith at the age of 17. It was neat to ponder on those events. How bright Moroni's countenance must have been and Joseph's siblings sharing the same bedroom did not wake.

Creatures among us

We have seen beautiful red cardinals in the back yard. There are bluejays as well, but have not captured a shot yet. I was sneaking up to take a photo of a cardinal when I came across something else....a woodchuck, which Aaron says is the same as a groundhog. Rabbits have also crossed over our yard. Enjoy the video of Smokin' Jax!