A grove now called sacred

Two summers ago, I had the opportunity to go to the Sacred Grove with Heidi, my parents and my grandparents (who were serving as missionaries for the summer in Palmyra). We spent a few days in Palmyra and visited the actual grove on two different occasions. Both of which left us soaked. However, the rain did nothing to dampen our spirits or the spirit that we felt.



It is one of the most sacred places I have been. If not the most sacred.

To the nonbelievers at the time, and even the non-lds community now, many view the grove as an ordinary piece of land. Small in acreage compared to the forest surrounding upstate New York. However, as latter-day saints, it symbolizes hope. A place where heaven opened and God spoke directly to a boy who would later become a prophet. It testifies of modern-day revelation and confirms to God's children that He does and is willing to answer our questions, doubts, and prayers. It contains a spirit that I have felt no where else and it promises peace to all that enter.



While visiting, we had the opportunity to attend an endowment session in the Palmyra temple which overlooks the grove. As we were leaving the temple president gave us a small tour of the baptistry and waiting area within the temple. He took us to a wall on the west side of the lobby and told us that when President Hinckley toured the temple before the open house, he asked that the wall be cut out and be replaced with three windows that will look out into the grove. Of course the windows were put in; however, the view was still blocked - this time, by a number of trees that had grown in between the temple grounds and the grove. The temple president pointed out the windows and told us that they asked the city (or whoever gave permit orders), for the trees to be removed but for some reason they were not given permission and the trees were to stay, further blocking the "sacred view."

As he pointed, we all looked out the three windows and someone said that it doesn't look like the trees are that big of an obstruction because I can see the grove just fine. That is when he smiled and told us. "that you can see the grove just fine now because the trees that were once obstructing the view slowly died, fell, and were removed, leaving an amazing view." Coincidence? I think not.



It is an interesting story. And one that has probably been told many times to hundreds of people. But each time I think of the sacred grove, I think of that view and how Joseph Smith must feel now - knowing that a temple now stands on the Smith family property and that the windows of that temple overlook the location that started the restoration of the gospel. It has come full circle.



Many apostles and members have called it beautiful, large, unforgettable and life-changing.
But in one of my favorite talks by President Monson, he describes it merely as "a grove now called sacred."

Because that's exactly what it is. Sacred.