We took another road trip- this time to the Hill Cumorah Pageant and some other Church history sites in upstate New York.
We went through Canada, and made a stop to see Niagara Falls. It was amazing!
There are two falls- here's the first one
Looking at the more famous horseshoe fall- Sophia's first impression was "Whoa"...
...We agreed.
Maid of the Mist boats- they look like toys going in to the falls. You want to just yell, watch out!
As you walk to the falls, the mist is so huge, it feels like it's down pouring rain. We actually thought it had started raining, but nope, just the mist so thick. Here's our 'after' picture. Sophia's hair looks like a drowned rat.
Next we went on the ferris wheel 175ft over the falls
A beautiful birds-eye view
Here's the two in relation to each other.
Next stop was the Hill Cumorah pageant and a lot of LDS Church history sites
The Hill Cumorah- where Joseph Smith received the Book of Mormon from the Angel Moroni.
At the Hill Cumorah (it was rainy). Sophia dancing to the music.
Waiting for the show in the rain.
Pre-show mingling with the cast- here's the Book of Mormon prophet Mormon.
This was an amazing event! 750 cast members, all volunteers, and they put this show on with 6 days of rehearsal. And it was phenomenal! I mean really good- I did not have high expectations, and was blown away. The set design was one of the most impressive I've ever seen.
Here's a view of the stage and audience seating from the top of the hill - huge! The largest outdoor pageant in North America.
Memorial of Angel Moroni on the top of Hill Cumorah.
Next stop was the Sacred Grove- where God and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith.
It was a beautiful and very special place.
Sophia thought it was more interesting upside down.
The Smith family log cabin. Where Joseph Smith lived as a young boy.
Joseph Smith was 6'2" (about Rick's height)- man that's a little short...
Upstairs in what would have been Joseph Smith's bedroom- where the Angel Moroni again appeared to him.
The Smith Family home
The actual fireplace where they would have hid the Gold Plates from the mobs of the time.
Just down the street at the temple grounds.
We then went to see the publication site of the Book of Mormon.
Martin Harris' farm
The Whitmer farm- where the Church was officially organized.
Organized in this room- with 50 people to start.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints now has over 14 million members. That's kind of amazing.
It was a wonderful and spiritual experience to go and see these sites.
On the way back home we stopped for lunch in Toronto to visit with one of our wonderful old friends. Rick and Jeremy have been friends since they we kids...
...And now our kids are all playing together?!
We had a fun time in Canada- one piece of it here. Everything in Canada is supposed to be bilingual (French and English). Even the Burger King bag.
Tip: Don't take pictures of the bilingual signs at customs, you'll get in trouble (ask Rick, he has personal experience)
All in all, another wonderful trip (and all in 3 days)!
Where to next????
