The Palmyra, New York area is the setting for Joseph Smith’s first vision, the visits of the angel Moroni, and the recovery of the Book of Mormon plates. To help flesh out some context for these foundational events, in this episode, David gives a brief overview of the Palmyra area and what life would have been like for the Smiths while here.
Video transcript: saintsunscript...
- “A Snug Log House,” by Donald L. Enders, Ensign Magazine (Aug. 1985): bit.ly/3Lc5wOh
- “Life on the Smith Farm,” by Jacob W. Olmstead, on the Church’s website: bit.ly/3mH8VKP
- “Interactive Map: LDS Places of Interest, Palmyra and Manchester, New York,” via the Church’s website: bit.ly/3yDMvg5
- “Interactive Map: Smith Family Farm and Sacred Grove,” via the Church’s website: bit.ly/3lblyxp
- “Joseph Smith, Sr. Frame Home, Manchester, New York, USA,” via Ensign Peak Foundation: bit.ly/3Fnhwcb
- “Smith Family Log Cabin, Palmyra, New York,” via Ensign Peak Foundation: bit.ly/3mS2NiY
- “Joseph Smith Family and the Year without a Summer,” by Keith Brown: bit.ly/40bh357
- Suggested reading:
“Old Palmyra and New England: Historic Photographs and Guide,” by Richard N. Holzapfel and T. Jeffrey Cottle.
“Joseph: Exploring the Life and Ministry of the Prophet,” edited by Susan E. Black & Andrew Skinner
“Joseph Smith: The Prophet & Seer,” by Richard N. Holzapfel & Kent P. Jackson
“History of Joseph Smith by His Mother,” by Lucy Mack Smith
“Rough Stone Rolling,” by Richard Bushman, chapters 1 & 2.
Notes:
- Joseph and Emma got married in South Bainbridge, but then stayed in the Smith’s frame home until Joseph recovered the plates that September. In December, 1827, Sophronia Smith got married, and moved to a town a few miles west of Palmyra. She married Calvin Stoddard, who was a relative of a Stoddard who helped the Smiths build their frame home after Alvin died.
- There is some disagreement or ambiguity among different sources regarding the precise dates of when the Smith’s purchased their farm and built their log home. I believe the dates put forward in the video are accurate, but take them as approximations.
- I found an insightful quote about Sophronia Smith, but in speaking with the author of the work in which it was found (“United by Faith,” pg. 168), it’s unclear whether the quote applies to post-1820 Palmyra or the 1816 move from Vermont. Also, it appears the original source (one of Sophronia’s descendants) was not cited. They likely wished to maintain their privacy and remain anonymous. In any case, here’s the quote: “This harsh treatment, though sorely felt by all members of the family, fell heaviest upon Sophronia…. She felt the slight of her friends until her heart was almost broken. She went about her tasks as though in a dream. Sophronia had never been [physically] strong, and now with the ill treatment of her friends she grew thin and pale.” Source: "Sophronia Smith Stoddard McCleary," by Gracia N. Jones, in "United by Faith: The Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Family," edited by Kyle R. Walker, pg. 168.
- Guys I’m terrible at math, but according to what I understand about the VEI (volcano explosivity index), Mt. Tambora (rated a 7) was about 100 times more powerful than Mt. Vesuvius when it buried Pompeii (rated at a 5). Am I understanding that correctly? I’d dig into it more but it’s not particularly essential to this episode (it’s more of a fun fact), so if anyone wants to verify this and let me know if my understanding is wrong, sweet. It’s just hard to believe Tambora was that much more powerful than Vesuvius. That’s a big explosion.
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15 сен 2024
