On Sacred Ground

This year we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith’s First Vision. It began the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the beautiful Sacred Grove. That miraculous event changed the course of history, including all of our lives. But most importantly to me, it has become personal and life changing.

Serving with my husband in the New York/Pennsylvania Historic Sites Mission, I spent a lot of time walking that sacred ground. At the Smith family farm in Palmyra, New York, I had the privilege of giving tours to visitors from around the world and all walks of life.

We can all learn from the examples of the Smith family and other early Church members. Joseph Smith’s First Vision teaches us how to receive revelation, as President Eyring explains on page 12. Other General Authorities testify of the truthfulness of that vision on page 18.

It is my simple prayer that as we commemorate 200 years since the First Vision, we may reflect on all the blessings that we have received as part of this ongoing Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sister Karen Russon Neff