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| The Sacred Grove |
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| Joseph Smith Log Cabin |
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| Palmyra New York Temple |
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| Inside Joseph Smith Farm House |
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| The Sacred Grove |
We gave Jess the opportunity to choose where our family would visit for her high school graduation. She chose Palmyra NY, NYC, and Boston. I went about planning an itinerary that would be suitable for our family - we only had one week to visit these places. We left on May 14, 2011 and flew from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago and then on to Rochester NY. We lodged in Victor, NY for 3 days. While there, we traveled to Palmyra NY so that we could see where the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ all began. We attended the Palmyra Ward on Sunday morning before driving over to see the Palmyra Temple, Joseph Smith's family log home - where Angel Moroni first visited Joseph. Then we wallked the block from Palmyra to Manchester where the Smith's built their large family home. We visited the Peter Whitmer Farm, where the Gold Plates were translated into the Book of Mormon. There I met a senior couple who were serving their mission. As we visited, we discovered that his great grandfather is my great great grandfather - JDT McAllister -
We walked through the Sacred Grove, and although it was pouring rain, the reverential awe we felt as we strolled through the grove filled my heart with the burning knowledge that this was the place where God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ did in fact reveal themselves to young Joseph Smith. I can testify that all that Joseph said happened there - did in deed take place. I know it with every fiber of my being!
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| Niagra Falls |
Monday we traveled by car up to visit Niagra Falls! What a magnificent creation of God!
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| Angel Moroni A Top Manhattan Temple |
Tuesday we traveled by car 5 1/2 hours to NYC. Our hotel was in NJ so after checking in, we traveled by train to Penn Staion in NYC. We visited FAO Schwarz, took a carriage ride through Central Park, strolled through Time Square, visited The Empire State Building - which allowed us a great view of all of NYC! We also attended the Broadway Musical "Wicked" - which was THE BEST production! We sat 5 rows back - center stage! Amazing! We walked down 5th Ave to see the Manhattan Temple and also Ground Zero - a reminder once again that freedom is not free! Before leaving NYC we rode the ferry to Ellis Island and visited The Statue of Liberty! Every minute of our stay was incredibly enjoyable!
| Lady Liberty |
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| Carriage Ride Through Central Park |
Thursday we left NYC and headed for Boston! What a beautiful drive through Connecticut! We arrived in Boston just in time to catch the bus for Fenway Park and the Boston Red Sox game against the Cubs. So much fun!
Friday morning we attended the Boston Temple to do Baptisms for the Dead. Jess and I were able to be proxy for 6 of my paternal grandfather's mother's side - the Fitzgeralds. Ernie was able to baptize us and then be proxy for some of his Larsen family!
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| Enjoying the Boston Temple After a short rest back at the Crown Plaza Hotel, we hopped aboard the express bus and headed for Downtown Boston tour sightsee, shop, and watch Pirates of the Carribbean! We enjoyed the historic Fanuel Hall, ate clam chowder and shopped for an authentic Boston Baked Bean Pot. Can't wait to have it sent to me so I can try it out with my baked beans! Saturday we rose bright and early so that we could walk the "Freedom Trail" through all the historic sites in Boston. We saw Bostom Commons, the State House, Park Street Church, Kings Chapel, the Burying Grounds, Faneuil Hall Market - where the Sons of Liberty held their debates and oppositon to the taxation by the king of England. It is known as the "Cradle of Liberty". We also toured the Old Meeting House, Paul Revere House, the Old North Church - "One if by land, two if by sea", Bunker Hill - the place of the battle which defined America's independence, and "Old Ironsides" - the oldest commissioned warship in the world. We really just got a taste of the history of the beginning of America and how it became the land of the free and the home of the brave!        |
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