A Frenzy of Fall Colors

  Upstate New York is so beautiful! I’m amazed that I didn’t know this from what I heard about it from Wade and my few brief trips here. I’ve been surprised at the great amount of rainfall here, which of course helps maintain the growth of large trees that line the streets and large yards with green trees and grass. The old homes that have been kept, preserved and beautified are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.  There are villages and towns, not just cities. We live in the “village” of Palmyra. 

Autumn has always been our favorite season. We were married in October and football season is in autumn. We have traditionally taken drives up the canyons of Salt Lake to see the beautiful leaves on all the trees. This year, while not the perfect fall temperatures here in Palmyra, we’ve been blessed to see a frenzy of fall colors of leaves on the trees. It all happened about ten days ago, and is slowly muting as the days go by. So on our off hours from the temple, we drive along the country roads and stop and take pictures as we see some amazing beauty. I’m sure we’ve collectively taken at least 1,000 photos the last few weeks. The  Palmyra Temple, Sacred Grove and Hill Cumorah are accented with the colors of the leaves. It’s all more than enough to “please the eye and gladden the heart”. Makes us love this season more and all of God’s glorious creations.

Just outside the temple doors 

Paths of leaves in the Sacred Grove

View from the temple to the Sacred Grove

  

From a Forest to a Stage to a Forest Again

We have hiked the Hill Cumorah several times since we’ve been here. There is always a special feeling here. Usually we have been alone on the Hill and wander the many trails that wind across and through the trees. The Hill Cumorah was a special place for Wade while he was here as a young missionary. He stayed in what they called the “wind tunnel” (a long tent-like structure) adjacent to the Hill with several other missionaries when he first arrived before he was assigned to his first area. Then during Pageant time, he was at the Hill continuously for two weeks, rehearsing for the Pageant, holding study groups with the elders and sisters, and then proselyting in the great crowds of people who would come to view the Pageant.  He gets quiet and thoughtful when we come here, probably remembering all that happened.  But, then I think we both remember that some very special events occurred here. I think about Joseph coming on that dark night, by himself, at an angel’s command. And then returning four more times each year to receive instruction, and finally to receive the sacred plates. It is a miracle to me. I am in awe and gratitude for all that happened. The Hill is under a reforestation project now with new trees, fields of wildflowers and regrowth  where stages used to fill with Book of Mormon re-enactments. It is a blessing to be here. We will always remember this special time and these special places. 

The actual Hill looks different than it did even 50 years ago. In the early 1800s, it was a forest. Later that century and into the 1900s, many trees were cleared for farmland. And almost every summer from 1937 to 2019, workers built a stage here. As many as 750 performers filled the stage to present a theatrical production that came to be known as the Hill Cumorah Pageant. They united in faith and devotion to share the broad sweep of Book of Mormon history through music, dancing, and the spoken word. Now this area is being reforested with native tree seeds. The young trees might look a bit messy, but over time this part of the hill will become a mature forest again, much like it was in the early 1800s.

Fields of wildflowers where rows and rows of chairs were set up for spectators at the Pageant.

This part of the Hill was where the stages of the Pageant were set. 

The incomparable statue of the Angel Moroni at the summit of the Hill.