Palmyra New York Temple
The Palmyra New York Temple is the 77th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The site for the Palmyra New York Temple, atop a wooded hill in pastoral western New York, holds a special place in the hearts of members of the Church of Jesus Christ. To the west, in a grove of trees, is where founder and first prophet of the Church, Joseph Smith, had a vision in which he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, past Church President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "This is where the First Vision occurred and I think it appropriate that we build a House of the Lord on this ground. I regard this temple as perhaps the most significant, in one respect, in the entire Church. It was right here in the Sacred Grove where it all began." [1] President Hinckley also commented on the incredible growth of the Church saying, "From the First Vision this work has spread over the earth to more than 160 nations with more than 10 million people who are members of this Church. Who could ever have imagined it when that boy [Joseph Smith] walked into the grove, that the consequences of that event would become what we see today." [1]
The Palmyra, New York, area is steeped in Church history. The temple sits on ground owned by the Church adjacent to the Sacred Grove and is also on the grounds where the Smith family log cabin stood. It was in that little home that Joseph Smith received visitations from the angel Moroni. Near the temple site is the Hill Cumorah where the gold plates were buried, which Joseph Smith later translated to the Book of Mormon. About thirty miles away is the Peter Whitmer Farm where the Church was first organized in 1830.
Local reaction to the new temple was positive and more than 30,700 visitors toured the new temple before its dedication. The temple serves about 18,000 members within seven stakes. The Palmyra New York Temple was dedicated on 6 April 2000, the 170th anniversary of the organization of the Church. While only about 1,200 members attended the dedicatory sessions within the temple itself, nearly 1.5 million members took part through media broadcasts throughout the United States and Canada.
The day before the Palmyra New York Temple dedication, snow fell, and the morning of April 6th began with heavy rain and chill temperatures. But as President Hinckley and others went out to lay the cornerstone of the temple bright sunshine broke through the clouds. After the cornerstone ceremony the storm continued, "leaving representatives of the news media commenting on the timing of the temporary calm and sunshine." [2] Members of the Church of Jesus Christ were not surprised. During the dedication President Hinckley said: "This is the anniversary of the organization of Thy restored Church. One hundred and seventy years ago it was established in nearby Fayette. From that small beginning it has spread over the earth, and our hearts are filled with gratitude for its marvelous growth." [3]
The Palmyra New York Temple has a total of 10,700 square feet, two ordinance rooms, and two sealing rooms. The exterior is white marble. Forty art glass windows inside the temple depict Joseph Smith's First Vision and the surrounding Sacred Grove. A gold statue of the angel Moroni tops the single spire. Beautiful carved cherry wood railings, wainscoting, and moldings line the halls, along with hand-sculpted carpeting.
Notes
- Church News, 29 May 1999
- “News of the Church,” Ensign, May 2000, 107
- "Dedicatory prayer: 'We acknowledge that it all began here,'" Church News, 15 Apr. 2000
