Palmyra

Palmyra, Wayne County, New York, is an important city in the history of Mormonism. It was here that Joseph Smith had his First Vision, saw the angel Moroni, found the gold plates which contained the Book of Mormon, and began work on its translation, though persecution forced him to move several times during the process. Finally, in 1829, the Book of Mormon was published in Palmyra by E.B. Grandin. Today, the Mormon Church maintains historical sites, a visitors center, and a temple[1]. It is also the site of the yearly Hill Cumorah Pageant. Today, Palmyra is a small town of some 7,000 people.

Some of the important events in Mormon history which occured here include:

• 1816-Joseph Smith’s family moves to Palmyra, New York. They buy 100 acres of land.

• Spring 1820-Joseph Smith is concerned about what church to join. He reads in the Bible that if you need help in making a decision to pray to God. He goes to a grove near his home and there sees Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He is told to join none of the churches. Joseph Smith returns home and tells his family of his experience. Joseph is persecuted for telling what he saw.

• September 21, 1823-Joseph Smith prays to learn the condition of his soul and for forgiveness. The angel Moroni appears to him. Joseph recounted the experience, “He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people. He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fullness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants; also, that there were two stones in silver bows—and these stones, fastened to a breastplate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim—deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted “seers” in ancient or former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book. After telling me these things, he commenced quoting the prophecies of the Old Testament” (see Joseph Smith History). Moroni appeared to him three times during the same night and delivered the same message.

• September 22, 1823-The same messenger delivered the same message again and told Joseph to tell his father about the vision. Joseph related his experience to his father then went to the place where Moroni had told him the gold plates were deposited. In a hill near his home Joseph found the place he had been shown in the vision. In a buried stone box, Joseph found the items Moroni had told him would be there. As Joseph reached to take the things out of the box, Moroni returned and stopped him. He was told that it was not yet time to bring the plates out. He then told Joseph to return to the same place on the same day for the next four years. Joseph followed these directions and went back every year. Moroni appeared to him and taught him.

• September 22, 1827-Moroni gives the gold plates to Joseph Smith Jr. Joseph Smith begins translation. Joseph is instructed to keep them safe until Moroni asked for the plates to be returned. Persecution and attempts to get the gold plates were so numerous that Joseph moved to Pennsylvania.

• 1829-The Book of Mormon begins the publication process at the E.B. Grandin building. 5,000 copies were printed.

• April 6, 1830-The Church of Christ, as the Mormon Church was originally known, is officially organized in the Whittmer family home in Fayette, New York.

• January, 1831-The Mormons move to Ohio.