The Cradle of the Restoration Part 3 - Joseph Smith Farm (Frame Home)

Joseph Smith Sr. Frame Home

Another historical site down the road from the Smith Family Log Home is the Smith Family Frame Home.  Joseph Smith Jr's older brother, Alvin, began construction of this more permanent dwelling for his parents in 1822.  However, Alvin unfortunately passed in 1823 before it was finished, leaving it uncompleted for a few years.  The Smith family however finished it in 1825 and moved the family there later that year.

Fireplace which hid Golden Plates

In 1827, Joseph Smith Jr. and his wife Emma, moved in with the Smith here to the frame home.  8 months later, Emma and Joseph drove a carriage to nearby Hill Cumorah where, after many years of instruction by the Angle Moroni, Joseph finally obtained the Golden Plates to begin the translation process into what is now the Book of Mormon.  The Gold Plates contained "a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel." (Book of Mormon Introduction) 

Kitchen and Dinning Room in Frame Home

Joseph and Emma only stayed in Manchester at the Frame home for a month or two before persecution forced them to relocate to Harmony, Pennsylvania where Emma's parents lived.  It was in Harmony that a great portion of the translation was accomplished.  However, during Joseph and Emma's brief stay in New York, some amazing and miraculous events occurred.  One of which was one night, Joseph got the impression that the Plates were not safe.  He decided to hide the Plates underneath the brick of the fireplace in one of the rooms on the first floor of the house.  That night, a mob broke into the home searching for the Plates, but despite them being underneath their feet, they did not find them.  The original bricks are still there in the same fireplace.

It was in this home, in the dinning room where Joseph Smith Jr. first learned of the loss of the 116 lost pages of translation from his scribe Martin Harris.  It was here Oliver Cowdrey boarded with the Smith family as a school teacher.  There he learned of Joseph Smith's story and immediately traveled to Harmmony, Pennsylvania in 1829 to assist Joseph as scribe.

Alvin's Tree

So many other amazing stories happened in the Frame Home that are important to the Restoration of the Gospel.  The structure that now stands is in fact the original building the Smith Family built so many years ago.  In 1907, Elder George Albert Smith purchased the home and the farm which is sits on and transferred ownership to the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints.  In 2000, the Church renovated the building to fit the age period it was first built and when Joseph Smith resided there.  One of my favorite sites of the Frame Home is outside next to it.  There is planted a huge tree still growing healthy and strong.  This tree was planted by the Smith Family in honor of Alvin, their beloved brother and son who passed away before the home was finished.  Alvin was an anchor of faith and love for many of the Smith Family, including Joseph Smith Jr's.  His last words to Joseph where "Do all that you can to obtain the record."  (referring to the Golden Plates)

It's so amazing to take a tour in the Frame Home and step back in time and learn of the amazing events that happened here.  You come to learn how much the Lord's Hand was there to protect the Ancient Record of the Book of Mormon.  So many times the adversary came close to stealing the plates from Joseph's hands.  But because the Lord is All Powerful and All Knowing, they were protected.  I know the Book of Mormon is true, and the history which occurred at such a place is true.  That makes it one of many Sacred Sites important to the Cradle of the Restoration.

Joseph Smith Farm:  843 Stafford Road
Palmyra, New York 14522

Information obtained at http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=5fad4dae21b73010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD

Pictures obtained at http://allgoodtreasuresinheaven.blogspot.com/2011/07/joseph-smiths-frame-home.html