Learning More About the Sacred Grove

On Friday, 15 June, six of us senior missionaries had a private tour of the Sacred Grove conducted by the Arborer/forester, Bob Parrott.  He grew up just up the road from the Grove.  He has been the caretaker of the Grove since 1998, when President Hinckley visited the area and had the vision of returning the Grove to its natural wilderness state.  Bob applied for the position, having had 20 years of forestry management experience, and was selected.  That was a wonderful decision.  Today the Grove is really coming back to life.  Wildflowers, moss, ferns, wild life and more paths make it all accessible and enjoyable for visitors.  There is once again a solemn feeling in the Grove.  If it has been many years since you last visited it, or if you have yet to make your first visit, you will find it to be a wonderful place.  Years ago there was a road into the Grove and a parking area.  Today cars are parked hundreds of feet away from the center of the Grove.  There was a time when the Grove was cleared of fallen branches and was made to look like a park.  It was discovered that by leaving things alone and letting nature take its course, the Grove has become healthy again. 

Along the route of our tour we saw the six "Witness trees" that are each about 230 years old (they have been scientifically dated).  There are also a number of other trees that were not dated, but are thought to have also been living when he Savior appeared to the young Joseph Smith in 1820.  The trees in the Grove are all deciduous trees (hard and soft wood with leaves).  Some of the trees on the HIll Cumorah are coniferous (they have needles).  The original portion of the Grove that survived the many years was about 7 acres.  Today it is much bigger (about 30 acres) and is protected by buffer areas that are being allowed to turn back into forest.  It was great to hear the birds and see the squirrels and chipmunks.  We saw many examples of trees that had continued to grow in spite of adversity.  Some of them had to grow out to the side a few feet and then upward.  The trees were always searching for the light, just as we must do.  We saw one tree who's trunk had been broken off, so it sent out another limb to the side that then turned heaven ward.  Then the new branch was causing too much strain on the tree, so it sent out another limb on the other side.  That limb grew out and up and eventually joined back into the first, providing it an anchoring point.  That tree is an amazing example of not giving up, even though things might be tough. 

As we toured the Grove our minds reverted back 192 years ago, when a young boy walked into these woods to make his first vocal attempt to pray to God.  We looked around and tried to picture in our minds how it may have been.  The exact spot where the visitation occurred is not important, nor has it been revealed.  The important point to remember is that it DID TAKE PLACE! 

 We are so grateful being able to serve here in the cradle of the restoration.  We visit the Hill Cumorah or the Grove about every week.  They do not become common place.  It is always a thrill to visit them.  We even sometimes stop while going to the temple, just to say hi to our sister missionaries.  We love all of you and are glad that we have the opportunity of sharing bits of knowledge about the Church Historical Sites here.  May the Lord bless you and your families as you strive to follow Him.