Susquehanna River

In a few years this priesthood restoration site will be totally different. The road pictured in the background will be moved so that visitors will be able to safely walk from the reconstructed Joseph and Emma home to the reconstructed home of Emma's parents. This site will have a different feel, but somehow, I'm glad we were able to see it before all of the changes. Our family had the place to ourselves and it was a beautiful, peaceful evening to visit.

Curt and Kevin by the monument commemorating the restoration of the priesthood.
Joseph and Emma's first child.
Headstones for Emma's parents.

The Susquehanna River, muddy but still pretty.

Access to the river is gained by going over some railroad tracks. Just as we were leaving to drive closer to the river, a member of the church (a rarity in those parts) pulled up in his truck. He told us stories of how the access to the river had been closed by the railroad for a while, but through a series of miracles the way was opened again. He was very helpful in making sure we followed the right road to find the path to the river.

The trees and bushes were so dense in that area, I finally understood how Joseph could have angelic visitors and receive the priesthood and still be secluded from neighbors. Not that there were a lot of neighbors, and I know that the spirit wouldn't let people near who weren't supposed to be there. But being there helped me more easily visualize the things that took place. A spirit accompanies sites where great things happened, and it's wonderful to be able to actually go to those places.