Visiting Susquehanna: The Priesthood Restoration Site

On our way home from Palmyra, we decided to go a couple of hours out of our way to visit the recently opened Priesthood Restoration Site along the Susquehanna River. This is where we believe that Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist which gave them the authority to baptize. This site also has the restored Isaac and Elizabeth Hale home where Joseph and Emma lived for a year as well as the home where Joseph and Emma lived on their own.

We spent a couple of hours there and I wouldn't have minded a few more minutes but we had a long way to go that night. It's a beautiful setting, very much in rural Pennsylvania. However, on the day we were there, cars at a racetrack nearby were detracting from the peace and quiet. I'm guessing that's not as big of a problem on weekdays.

The Hale Family was quite well-off for their day so their home was probably nicely decorated with wallpaper and carpet.

Isaac Hale was a hunter and was able to sell goods to a lot of people coming down the river, thanks to the proximity of the Susquehanna River.

The Isaac Hale home

Joseph and Emma Smith bought this home from her brother when he moved to a different house. They added on the addition you see on the left.

Peter, James, and John conferring the Melchizedek Priesthood on Joseph Smith with Oliver Cowdery standing at the side.

On the banks of the Susquehanna where Joseph and Oliver baptized each other after receiving the authority

It's a very lovely setting and I wish we could have stayed a little longer

This website gives you more complete information: https://history.lds.org/article/what-to-expect-when-you-visit-prs?lang=eng

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