Christmas in Vermont

Christmas was wonderful at the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial this year - 2010. The FM Missionaries assigned to our site began getting the lights out late in Sept and started testing them and began stringing them in the trees. They work summer and winter doing all that those seasons bring. Over 180,000 lights were strung on our grounds. The center and the Directors home were decorated with three beautiful trees, lots of Nativity Art, strings of garland with hundreds bows, and wreaths on every door again with lots of bows added to the magic of the season. There were more than 50 large poinsettia plants placed around the center which added such beauty to our center. We had over 15,000 visitors during the six weeks of the holidays, with most of them being of other faiths. It was wonderful to share who we are, and what we believe with so many at Christmas time. Some times I still have to pinch myself to believe that I really am here and that this is the calling Elder Smith and I received.

Everytime I complete a tour I end it with a testimony given of Christ by the Prohpet Joseph Smith. In that testimony found in Section 76 the Prophet states that we are literal sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven who loves us. He wants us to return home to Him, and it is only through the Gospel of Jesus Christ that that is possible. How grateful I am for that knowledge and for the path way home that has been provided for me. How much I owe my elder Brother for His sacrifice in my behalf. My will to obey is what I have to give in return.

Nativity Animals

The day after Thanksgiving the Joseph Smith Memorial begins its Christmas season. We have two evenings with a live Nativity. A family brings their small, friendly donkey and two sheep for all to come by and feed and pet. We had more than 2,200 guests come just for the animals, and of course the cookies and hot cider .... haha! We had more than 15,000 guests come in their cars just to see our lights. (That's alot for remote Vermont) It was a busy month. Children who came loved our donkey named "Forest" and he loved their carrots and apples.

Winter at the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial

Winter in Vermont is beautiful, but winter at the Memorial is extra special. We have several acres of manicured rolling lawns and as the snow falls it becomes a carpet of white. Everyday we walk about the grounds and each day it changes. Some days its foggy, some days rainy, and others just plain cold! We love to see the heavy frost on the trees as we come up the memorial lane. During the Christmas season we have thousands of lights hung in the trees, beautiful place ..... we are honored to be serving here!