Hello from the Sacred Grove!

Photographs of boys by Julie Poulson; illustrations by Katie McDee

Hi, we’re Margo and Paolo.

This month, to celebrate the Restoration, we’re visiting the place where the First Vision happened 200 years ago!

When Joseph Smith was 14 years old, he lived in a log house in New York, USA. He had five brothers and three sisters. He obeyed his parents and was friendly to others. He read the Bible with his family, but they didn’t all go to the same church.

Joseph was a hard worker. He helped cut down trees so his family could plant crops. He also helped his family collect sap from maple trees to make maple sugar.

Joseph wanted to find a church like the one in the Bible. One day he went to a grove of trees and prayed. Heavenly Father and Jesus appeared to him. They told him his sins were forgiven. They also said that he shouldn’t join any of the churches. Soon Jesus’s Church would be restored!

Many people made fun of Joseph because of what he saw. They said he was making it all up. But Joseph kept telling the truth. He said, “I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it” (Joseph Smith—History 1:25).

Today, people can visit the area where Joseph prayed. It is beautiful and very peaceful.

Thanks for visiting the Sacred Grove with us. See you next time!

These children live where Joseph Smith lived when he was young!

I know that the Sacred Grove is a special place because Joseph Smith prayed and saw Heavenly Father and Jesus there.

Piper D., age 5, New York, USA

I’m grateful that we live close to Joseph Smith’s home. I love going to the Grandin Building with the printing press. I really like to see where they bound the first copies of the Book of Mormon.

Roscoe B., age 9, New York, USA