I've been wanting to share an experience of several weeks ago. While visiting with Marian in early March, Keith and I had a wonderfully humorous/spiritual experience. Keith was on the East Coast for business and had stopped by Marian's house for a visit before flying home. After Church on Sunday, I lightly commented to Keith that it was too bad the Sacred Grove was so far away. Marian spoke up and said it really wasn't that far and suggested we take their car, the GPS and go. Within a few minutes, Keith and I were on our way.
This was
not my first time to the Sacred Grove but a first for Keith, and definitely a first for me at winter time. Only a few days before, New York had gotten 14 inches of snow so this wasn't going to be the Sacred Grove you see in pictures. As we rounded the curving road to the Hill Cumorah area, however, I heard a sudden intake of breath from Keith. And then quietly he spoke, "This is where it all began, isn't it!" I felt that sudden tug of the Spirit as I answered in the affirmative.
After a quick tour of the Smith farmhouse (it was almost closing time), the missionaries encouraged us to take our time in the Sacred Grove. It was then we realized we had left Marian's home so suddenly that we were pretty unprepared for the snow covered trail. Keith had forgotten his coat and I was in a pair of Crocs! Nor did either of us have a camera! Undaunted, we headed off up the trail. Only a few people had walked along the trail since the storm so the snow was pretty deep. My Crocs soon filled with snow as I slipped and slid along the trail. Concerned I might fall, Keith insisted on forging through the fresh snow alongside the trail so he could offer me his arm. We really were a sight and we couldn't help laughing at the picture we must make as we trudged along! :-)
After turning a few curves, the farmhouse disappeared from view. We were well into the Grove so we found a bench to sit for awhile and I could dump the snow from my Crocs. It was so peaceful and quiet -- and then suddenly it didn't seem so cold! It should have felt dreary because there wasn't any green in sight anywhere. Instead, though, we both felt this peaceful, warm feeling and quietly spoke about the knowledge we had that we were walking in a sacred place. We talked of our testimonies of Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon and the Restoration of the Gospel. We were both so grateful for the knowledge we had.
I've thought a lot about this experience since then. I am so grateful that Keith and I were able to spend time together in such a special place. Even though circumstances were far from ideal and really quite comical, we both had felt the Spirit. It has come to me that through the many different and less than ideal times of our lives, the Spirit will be there if we just open our hearts.
Lots of love to you all!
This was
not my first time to the Sacred Grove but a first for Keith, and definitely a first for me at winter time. Only a few days before, New York had gotten 14 inches of snow so this wasn't going to be the Sacred Grove you see in pictures. As we rounded the curving road to the Hill Cumorah area, however, I heard a sudden intake of breath from Keith. And then quietly he spoke, "This is where it all began, isn't it!" I felt that sudden tug of the Spirit as I answered in the affirmative.
After a quick tour of the Smith farmhouse (it was almost closing time), the missionaries encouraged us to take our time in the Sacred Grove. It was then we realized we had left Marian's home so suddenly that we were pretty unprepared for the snow covered trail. Keith had forgotten his coat and I was in a pair of Crocs! Nor did either of us have a camera! Undaunted, we headed off up the trail. Only a few people had walked along the trail since the storm so the snow was pretty deep. My Crocs soon filled with snow as I slipped and slid along the trail. Concerned I might fall, Keith insisted on forging through the fresh snow alongside the trail so he could offer me his arm. We really were a sight and we couldn't help laughing at the picture we must make as we trudged along! :-)
After turning a few curves, the farmhouse disappeared from view. We were well into the Grove so we found a bench to sit for awhile and I could dump the snow from my Crocs. It was so peaceful and quiet -- and then suddenly it didn't seem so cold! It should have felt dreary because there wasn't any green in sight anywhere. Instead, though, we both felt this peaceful, warm feeling and quietly spoke about the knowledge we had that we were walking in a sacred place. We talked of our testimonies of Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon and the Restoration of the Gospel. We were both so grateful for the knowledge we had.
I've thought a lot about this experience since then. I am so grateful that Keith and I were able to spend time together in such a special place. Even though circumstances were far from ideal and really quite comical, we both had felt the Spirit. It has come to me that through the many different and less than ideal times of our lives, the Spirit will be there if we just open our hearts.
Lots of love to you all!
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2 comments:
I am so glad you had the opportunity for one-on-one time with Keith in such a wondrous setting, snow and all.
Thanks for sharing. I can hardly wait to get there. I cry when I think about it.
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