Excuse me while I Interrupt this Broadcast...

Let's take a break from Baby Tyse posts for just a quick minute!

While in Ohio, Jake and I took a 5 hour drive to Palmyra, NY [this was before the awful pregnancy sickness kicked in too bad, thank goodness] to visit the birthplace of our religion. It was SUCH a neat experience and I so wish I would have blogged my feelings right after our trip. My memory sucks but I do know that we had an amazing time. 

 Driving into Palmyra was an interesting experience to say the least. It was not what we expected at all! The town itself is...well...kinda redneck! There is a lot of trailer parks...and that's about it! We ate lunch at one of the very few restaurants in town and left our food on the table after about two bits. So...yep, it was interesting. But once we got to the part of town where the church owns, it was completely different and absolutely beautiful.

[Driving to the Temple]

We started the day with a visit to the beautiful Palmyra Temple. The scenery was gorgeous. It was a very rainy day, but it made the green scenery stand out even more so we really enjoyed it [keep in mind I did not edit these pictures at all...it was really that green]. The temple is built right on the acreage of the original Smith Farm. And believe me, it was sacred ground for sure. But we almost missed out on the opportunity to do a session. We are used to going to the temple in Idaho and Utah where you don't exactly need to reserve a spot in a session. Palmyra was a little different. The session we went to was completely booked. But thanks to a very nice man at the front desk, we were able to squeeze in. And I really mean squeeze. They had to bring in a ton of folding chairs to fit everyone. But I was so glad to be there, even though it was so cramped. Going to the temple is always a neat experience, but being in Palmyra made it just a little more special. 

 [Palmyra Temple - Palmyra, NY]

My favorite part of the temple was the stained glass windows. They were so beautiful. They were made to look like the Sacred Grove. And when you looked out of them from the Celestial Room, you had a perfect view of the actual Grove. It was quite breathtaking. 

 [Temple Windows]

 [Temple Grounds]

 [Smith Farm - Temple Grounds]

After our session, we went to the actual home of the Smith Family, just a few yards from the Sacred Grove. Again, a sweet sister missionary gave us our own private our - just like we got in Kirtland, OH. We were able to walk through the home and be in the same room Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith. To make this experience even better, we were there on September 21st. This is the exact date Moroni appeared in that very room, only 190 years later. Whoa. 

 [Smith Family Home]

[The room where the Angel Moroni appeared to Joseph on September 21, 1823]

After we visited a few more historical buildings belonging to the Smith Family, we were able to walk through the Sacred Grove all alone. It was just the two of us in there. It was such an amazing feeling, one I cannot even describe. 

 [The path from the Smith home leading into the Sacred Grove]

 [No caption needed. Beautiful]

After spending quite a bit of time at the Sacred Grove, we visited Hill Cumorah. I would absolutely love to visit again during the Hill Cumorah pageant. I am sure it would be so cool. Jake and I hiked up the hill and it was almost as beautiful as the Sacred Grove. We just loved it. 

As you can see, Palmyra was quite the trip! We loved it and hope to return again!