Niagara Falls and Kirtland, Ohio

Our first stop of the day today was Niagara Falls. It is a very impressive sight. You drive over the river that feeds the falls, and drive over it and over it. Compared to most of our 'rivers' it's huge. We took the Maid of the Mist boat ride with our blue raingear and were up close and personal to the falls.


Niagara Falls

From Niagara, we traveled to Kirtland Ohio. The members of the early church were told to gather to the Ohio, and this was the gathering place. Many were converted in this area, and the community became a thriving town, with industry and fine homes and prosperity. Many of the revelations in the Doctrine & Covenants were received here and God and Christ also appeared here. There are many sacred spots in Kirtland.


The Ashery in Kirtland

Tomorrow we see the Kirtland Temple.

Other pictures of this day.

Palmyra and Surrounding Places

The days are running together, but I believe this is day 4. We had the opportunity to visit the Smith farm and see both original and reconstructed versions of the homes they lived in and the farm as it may have appeared during the time they lived there. The Smiths had moved to Palmyra because of three years of crop failures. In the Palmyra area was a great stir of religionists - working for converts to their denominations. In this environment Joseph Smith could not tell which was right.

He was reading in the Bible, the 1st chapter of James, vs. 5. The scripture stated that anyone could ask God and God would answer. Joseph went to a grove of trees near his home and prayed. In answer to his prayer he received the 1st Vision, where God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ appeared to him.


The Sacred Grove

In the Palmyra area are many places of interest - the Martin Harris farm - he was the man who mortgaged part of his farm to pay for the publishing of the 1st edition of the Book of Mormon. The Hill Cumorah - where the stone box with the gold plates was. The Grandin Press Building - the press where the 1st edition of the Book of Mormon was published.


The Martin Harris Farm

We attended the Hill Cumorah Pageant - America's Witness for Christ. It rained the whole time of the pageant, but was still very much worth the attending.

Other pictures of this day.

Harmony, PA, Susquehannah River, and Fayette, NY

I did get all of yesterday's and today's photos uploaded, but I have not had a chance to title them or do any descriptions. We have free time tomorrow before the Hill Cumorah or Palmyra Pageant and I will get more done then.

We went to several locations in Joseph Smiths life today. Harmony Township where he met and married his wife, Emma Hale and where he had his first home of his own. It's also the site where much of the Book of Mormon was translated, with the aid of Oliver Cowdrey.


Original Foundation of Joseph & Emma's Home

Along the banks of the Susquehannah River, John the Baptist, and some days later, Peter, James and John, all resurrected beings appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdrey. They restored the authority to act in God's name and conferred upon them the Priesthood of God. We know the place and date of the visit of John the Baptist. He gave the power to baptize with water and Joseph and Oliver baptized each other following the instructions of John the Baptist.


The Susquehannah River

We travelled to Fayette, New York to the Peter Whitmer Farm, where the Church of Jesus Christ was organized on April 6th 1830 according to the laws of the State of New York. There is a reconstructed frame home on the foundations of the old house, built to be as accurate as possible.

Staying for 2 nights in Victor, New York to see many sites and events near here.

Other pictures of this day

Boston, Concord, Lexington, MA and Sharon, VT

This is the morning of the 3rd day of the tour. I haven't been able yet to get all the photos uploaded - the wireless connection seems to be slow. I will enhance the photos and get more uploaded tonight I hope.



We visited the Boston Temple, attended church services at the Belmont 2nd Ward and visited Lexington and Concord. Our tour guide reminded us of the great sacrifices made by the citizens of this new country. One signer of the Declaration had two sons captured and brutalized by the British. He was told he could have his sons back if he would renounce this revolution, but he refused.

Our final stop of the day was Sharon, Vermont, the birthplace of Joseph Smith. In 2005 we celebrated the 200th anniversary of his birth. In 1905 a single granite shaft was erected on the site of his birth, formed of one block of smoothed and polished stone - which may still be the largest uncut block in the world. It's 38 1/2 feet high, one foot for each year of his life.


Other pictures of this day

Boston, MA - The Beginnings of a New Nation

It was an early start today. Up at 3:30 am. to be to the airport at 4:30. It's been a long day, but a good one. We saw lots of things pertaining to the Revolutionary History of our nation, but also how Boston is significant in the history of the Church. There are also some interesting 'other' sites there, like a bicycle built for four?



This is the place where the Boston Massacre occurred.


Other Pictures of this day

The race to the start

Only two days till I start my Church History tour. I have made arrangements to visit with a friend while in Boston, one I've only known for years online and never met in person. She'll be going to church with me as well. Hopes for a long visit with another friend while in Nauvoo fell through, so I'm sad about that. The lists are getting finalized, I have a rough schedule for doing everything that needs doing tonight and tomorrow, then I'll be off.

Thought for the day: We don't plan to fail, but we do fail to plan.

Preparing to tour

I have many lists in the works to help me take care of everything I need to do before I begin my Church History Tour. Instructions on caring for the pool, the mail, the cats, the plants. Emergency contacts. Permission slips, and on and on. I'll keep the lists when I'm done so I won't have to do the same thing the next time I travel.

Soon I will be beginning a record of my travels here. I'll put up selected pictures here as well as providing links to additional maps and photos. I don't know how interesting this will be to many people, but it will serve as an online journal of the event for me if nothing else.