Sacred Grove
Sacred Grove things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Fantastic Experience! Definitely worth the free tour. The Sacred Grove is a place of profound historical and spiritual significance. Immerse yourself in the captivating story of the Restoration and find solace in the tranquil beauty of this sacred site. Here's what you need to know: 1. Historical Significance: - The Sacred Grove is located in Palmyra, New York, and is renowned as the place where the Prophet Joseph Smith had a divine experience that marked the beginning of the Restoration of the gospel. - In the spring of 1820, a young Joseph Smith entered the grove seeking answers to questions about religious truth. It was here that he had the remarkable First Vision, during which he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ and received guidance that would shape the course of religious history. 2. Exploring the Grove: - The Sacred Grove encompasses approximately 20 acres of pristine woodland, with winding paths that invite peaceful contemplation and reflection. - Visitors can stroll through the grove, surrounded by towering trees and dappled sunlight, creating an atmosphere of serenity and reverence. - The grove offers secluded areas for prayer, meditation, and personal reflection. Take a moment to connect with the divine and find inspiration in this hallowed ground. 3. Visitor Center: - Begin your journey at the Sacred Grove Visitor Center, where you can learn about the historical and spiritual significance of the grove through engaging exhibits, multimedia presentations, and interactive displays. - Knowledgeable guides are available to provide insights and answer any questions you may have about the grove and its importance in the Restoration. 4. Events and Services: - The Sacred Grove hosts various events throughout the year, including devotional services, reenactments, and commemorative gatherings that celebrate the Restoration and its impact on the world. - Special services, such as baptisms and weddings, can be arranged with prior arrangement and approval. 5. Respectful Visit: - Please remember that the Sacred Grove is a sacred place to millions of people worldwide. Maintain a respectful and reverent attitude during your visit, allowing others to connect with their faith and experience the spiritual ambiance of the grove. - Follow the posted guidelines, which may include restrictions on photography, noise, or other activities that could disturb the sanctity of the grove. 6. Nearby Attractions: - While in the area, consider visiting other significant sites related to the Restoration, such as the Hill Cumorah, the Peter Whitmer Farm, and the Book of Mormon Publication Site. Each location offers unique insights into the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Sacred Grove is a place of profound spiritual pilgrimage, where the echoes of the First Vision still resonate. Step into this sacred sanctuary, connect with the divine, and let the peace and inspiration of the grove touch your heart and soul.
Taylor BTaylor B
40
Each time I visit this sacred place, I am grateful that it exists. Visiting historical sites is something I enjoy. And this small town has some great options. But in addition to learning historical facts, I appreciate the chance to see in person a place where the beginning of my faith tradition in this dispensation started. What a cool thing it is that we can pray and receive answers directly from God. I am grateful that Joseph Smith had the family and life experiences he did that led him to kneel down and sincerely pray to God. I am grateful that God knows and loves us and chooses to answer our sincere prayers (though not always in the way or time we want or expect). On my most recent tour, the missionary concluded the guided portion by saying "I don't know where exactly in the grove Joseph prayed and saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, but I do know it happened." Once again, I felt the confirming influence of the Holy Ghost speaking to my heart and mind - I too know this is true. Visiting with some friends who have lived in the adjacent town for years (the wife's family has been here since the 1800s when Joseph and his family lived here, in fact) reminded me that we don't have to come to these sacred spaces to have sacred experiences, but again reminded me how grateful I am that we can come to them and can seek to feel the influence of divine guidance and power and reassurance in our lives.
Nicole SmithNicole Smith
20
Missionaries greeted us and offered a tour which is required to view the Smith home and Alvin's home, it only took about 45 minutes and was very informative. After the tour you are left at the entrance of the Sacred Grove to go on your own. There is a very clear path, that loops around so we were able to let our teens loose and meet back where we started. BRING BUG SPRAY- I knew this before, I've been here a few times now, but I flew to NY and didn't find a TSA size of big spray. I should have picked some up on the way though. We stopped at Top grocery store just ten minutes away from here, they have some. It is very much worth it to have. When you are sitting still in the grove and mosquitoes are landing in you every, 5 seconds it can be very distracting. So take a minute to spray yourself before you go in. There is open picnic areas with shade right next to the parking lot, where we enjoyed picnic food we also got at the grocery store before it visit. The grove is well taken care of, in a very authentic natural way, and the spirit that resides in this area is abundant and beautiful.
Gen BowerbankGen Bowerbank
20
This was a wonderful experience. The missionaries had very interesting stories to share, which I had never heard before. They let you go into the grove on your own after the tour so you can be alone to ponder and pray and walk around. The Grove of trees is a lot bigger than I had expected. They also show you homes where the Smith family lived on the property, one of which is built to look like what it probably looked like, and the other is 85% original. It was cool to go and see how everything on the property was set up and to see how big it is. The grove was very peaceful. You might want to wear long pants, long sleeves, and bug spray because the mosquitos were plentiful and relentless! You need to schedule a tour in advance if you have a group of 15 or more people, but it is free of course.
Nicole SampsonNicole Sampson
00
The Smith Farm is neat and very educational. Touring the inside of the home and buildings was really insightful. I was impressed with both the level of industry and comfort they were able to achieve. The Smiths were truly living off the land and, like many others, were great pioneers of America and the American Life. The Sacred Grove itself is much larger and different than what those who know would think. Turns out the original farm was up to 100 acres and the existing forest is new. (You can see boundaries of the original property line.) The immediate portion of the Grove with trails is the old farm property. If you want to go into the actual Sacred Grove one has to take the trails further to the interior and find the old growth forest.
Mike ChurchillMike Churchill
40
I would highly recommend visiting this site. If you are not a member of the Church, visiting the site will provide you a solid background of the Church's history and provide you with a peaceful opportunity to meditate and enjoy nature. For members of the Church it is like a sort of pilgrimage to be in a place made holy by your preparation and desire to be there. We visited in late March before the blossoms; it was still peaceful, meaningful, and beautiful.
Brett DoddsBrett Dodds
20
Nearby Attractions Of Sacred Grove
Sacred Grove Welcome Center
Smith Family Farm (Museum)
Morrisey Farms

Sacred Grove Welcome Center
4.9
(472)Click for details

Smith Family Farm (Museum)
4.9
(409)Click for details

Morrisey Farms
4.8
(15)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
843 Stafford Rd, Palmyra, NY 14522
Map
Phone
(315) 597-1671
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Website
churchofjesuschrist.org
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Reviews
Overview
5
(337 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
outdoor
Description
Sacred groves or sacred woods are groves of trees and have special religious importance within a particular culture. Sacred groves feature in various cultures throughout the world.
attractions: Sacred Grove Welcome Center, Smith Family Farm (Museum), Morrisey Farms, restaurants:

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