Hey guys! Well, it was my turn to go on an eastern church history tour. It was a blast! My Grandma, Grandpa, and my two cousins, Josh and Lauren, went from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania through New York all the way to Cleveland, Ohio.
I left on the 10th of July to fly to Spokane, Washington(Yes I flew by myself in case you were wondering. I thought I was a very big deal.) The next day we took a three hour plane ride to Minneapolis where our connection was delayed two hours. We then took another plane ride to Philadelphia, which stunk because we got to our hotel at like 12:00 their time and we had to wake up early the next day to get going.
(Yes my glasses are off because I had to go and break them right before the trip. Nothing a little duct tape couldn't fix the next day. We also had to take an emergency haircut right before my plane ride because we had forgotten the day before, so it was a little hectic.)
So after groggily getting up at 8:30 the next day we went and toured the Hershey story where we made our own chocolate and tasted exotic chocolates from around the world.
Then we drove to Harmony, Pennsylvania where we went to the Susquehanna River where Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowderey were baptized. I thought this was really cool because I thought about the time when I was baptized and all the times I go to the temple to do baptisms for other people.
We also went to the Priesthood Restoration site.
I really liked going to this place because it shapes who I am as a member of the church because I am a priesthood holder. It helped strengthen my testimony because I could especially feel the Holy Ghost in abundance here. I could feel the Priesthood part of me feel very familiar with this place.
The last place we went on this day was the Peter Whitmer farm in Fayette, where I gave a presentation. I regrettably forgot my camera when we went here. I liked the Peter Whitmer farm very much because this was the place where the church was founded in the latter days. My testimony was strengthened here because this is the place where it all began. The most important thing in my life began here.
This is also where I saw a lightning bug for the first time, so, you know. That makes me an official man. I've seen a lightning bug and I've flow by myself. What else do you need to do in your life? That was the end of that day, so we drove to our hotel.
The next day, we toured the Hale and Smith homes where we held a box that would've looked like the box that held the plates when Joseph was alive. When I held this box (which by the way weighed the same as the real plates, around fifty pounds #hugemusclesforlife 💪) realization struck me. Joseph Smith ran a mile carrying this heavy box while being attacked. That kind of effort he put into doing something because he believed in inspires me to keep faith and do things the lord asks me to because in comparison it usually isn't as hard.
We also went to the Palmyra temple to do baptisms. I thought this was a really beautiful, and, as a plus, you could see the Sacred Grove standing on the side of the building. As always being in the temple was a holy and spiritual experience.
We toured the Joseph Smith Sr. farm, home and cabin. I really loved hearing all of the stories about how Joseph hid the plates and I know Heavenly Father helped protect them which also strengthened my testimony.
After that we went to the sacred grove which was my favorite thing we did on the trip was go to the sacred grove. This was the most spiritual place for me because Heavenly Father appeared here. My testimony was greatly strengthened by being able to stand in the vicinity of where God the Father stood. There was this patch of ground that felt different from the rest of the ground. Nothing grew there so I have my suspicions...
After the sacred grove we went to the Hill Cumorah where Joseph found the plates. I liked this place because I could imagine Moroni hiding the plates there and Joseph finding them. This place strengthened my testimony because I thought of all the times that I read the BOM with my family. There wouldn't be any of these times without this place.
After seeing the Hill Cumorah we saw the pageant which I liked. It was basically a play from Nephi's time to the latter days. And that was the end of that day.
The following day we went to church and spent another hour in the Sacred Grove. After many mosquito bites, we went to the Grandin Building, which is where the BOM was printed. I thought it was fascinating how they made books back then.
After that we saw the Erie Canal and drove to our hotel by Niagara Falls. That night we went and saw the falls light up and there were fireworks.
On the next day we went to Niagara Falls. It was amazing how much water there was around me. We went on a boat called The Maid of the Mist. We boated across the part where the water from the falls came together at the bottom. I got completely soaked. We also heard this story about a boy who went over the falls, protected only by a life jacket and lived. We also went into Canada which Nathan wishes he could do (ha Nathan take the L) to see their side of the falls.
Then we drove to Kirkland, and stayed the night.
The next day we went to the Isaac Morley farm. We also went to the historic Kirkland village with the Whitney home and store. I really liked the Whitney store because of the story where Joseph comes and says "Newel K Whitney thou art the man" and proceeds to tell him that he prayed him here, and asked him what he can do for him.
We also toured the Kirkland temple. I liked it because it was the first temple built and you could almost see Joseph and his appointed officers sitting there.
We finished off with the John Johnson home where many revelations were given.
We finished off our trip with Cedar Point, the amusement park, which happens to be the roller coaster capital of the world. The next day we flew home.
I would like to close with my testimony. I know all the things I was told and saw on this trip was real. I know Joseph Smith was a real prophet, and I know that Heavenly Father appeared unto them in the Sacred Grove. I know that they lived and am grateful for Joseph Smith's witnesses and for their testimonies that help strengthen other people's. I am also thankful I was able to go on this trip. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Until next time. I know you'll all miss me.
