Our Fabulous New York Trip: Day Four

First stop today was the Grandin Printing Press.  Since it was pageant week, there were lots of people at all of the sites, but really, we still had wonderful tours at all of them.  This is the only one where I think we would have had a better experience if it had been less crowded.  It was still very interesting, but I think we could have learned a bit more if there were not as many people.  However, we still had a great time!

Grandin Printing Press

After our long 40 minute drive to the printing press, we were hungry enough for some cookies and cream poptarts!  They couldn't go inside, of course, so we took a few pictures and talked to (okay, tried to ignore) a couple of living scripture salesmen.

Mr. Grandin, owner of the printing press, initially refused to print the Book of Mormon.  Joseph Smith ordered 5,000 copies. That was the largest order in the United States and Mr. Grandin thought it too risky.  Some friends talked him into it and he agreed to do the printing.   Probably, though, the Lord talked him into doing the job--He has a way of arranging things the way they need to be!

We couldn't use flash in the building because of the old documents and things, so pictures didn't turn out great, but we took some anyway!  This is Mr. Grandin's office.

This is the original copy of this painting of the angel Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith--pretty cool to see the real deal!

Unbelievable how much work it was to print a book.  From setting each TINY letter, inking them, rolling the pages, hanging them to dry, folding and trimming them, putting them together and eventually binding.  It really blows my mind!  I don't think I'd have the patience to do it!  No wonder books were not very prevalent!

The actually print and type setting work was done up on the third floor because they had more light up there.

There was a large room full of original art work--one was the picture of Joseph and the angel Moroni pictured above--then there was this series of pictures.  I know you can't see them well; they are pictured for my own benefit!

It is a series of pictures depicting Lehi and his family and their journey to the promised land.  I liked them a lot; maybe because they are different than what you normally see--a refreshing change from the standard church art work.  I'm not sure why they are hidden away in New York and not used more by the church, however.  I rather liked them.

This lists the artist's name--C.C.A. Christensen.  Again, for my benefit.  I wanted to look him up; haven't done it yet, but I'll get to it!

Erie Canal

On our first day in New York as we were driving from Rochester to Waterloo, we drove over the Erie Canal.  History buffs like Kevin and my dad were naturally intrigued, and even I remembered hearing about the Erie Canal in school.  The canal runs just behind the printing shop--in fact, it is the reason there was a printing shop there.   

Good ol' Grandpa Reese wanted to check it out further and found us a lovely picnic spot right on the banks of the canal.  It was fun to explore!

Mari sampled the local greens.  She found them to be delicious and wanted to take some home for her next smoothie.

This bridge was a little weird to walk on--kind of looks like a thick chain link fence.  It didn't wiggle, but you could see right down to the water.  It was too much for Anna.  She was frightened!

Can anyone else say they have done this over the Erie Canal?  Or any canal for that matter?  Didn't think so.

Group of girls.

The water was pretty gross, but the girls found a turtle in it.  They were pleased with that!

Yes, yes.  The Queen of Canal Towns.  We have a lovely canal behind our house.  Maybe our house can be the queen of the lane.

The Hill Cumorah

It's quite a steep climb to the top of the hill Cumorah!  It was enough to wear poor Mari out.  The little knees just aren't used to climbing such things!

It is a beautiful view from the top looking down over the huge field; the pageant chairs and scenery make it all the more unique.  Natalia and Anna each bought cute little pioneer hats as souvenirs.  They had lots of compliments on them, but refused to take a picture side by side.  Whatever.

Cute little Anna.  The Hill Cumorah is where the golden plates that contained the Book of Mormon were hidden.  (Did I tell you something you didn't know?)  This is also the site of the Nephite/Lamanite final battle.  There were tens of thousands of people killed here.  Strange to ponder that all of those bodies have now returned to their mother earth and fertilized this lovely place!

Nothing straight about this picture!  In reality, I believe it's my girls' heads that are leaning and not the monument--but I've been known to be wrong. . . .

Moroni and Eliza proclaiming the truth of the Book of Mormon.  She'll make a great missionary some day!

The girls have been saving money for our New York trip for a long time.  For a few months before our trip, we had some charts where they could fill in a circle each time they did something good (obeying, being kind, cheerful, pretty much any thing positive).  They earned quite a bit, but without the generosity of Grandpa Mitchell, they wouldn't have been able to afford such great souvenirs!

We arrived to the hill fairly early in the day.  The pageant didn't start until after 9:00, so we hiked up here a few times. 

The hill is covered with trees today.  There is a picture of it from 1907 with almost no trees at all on it.  It is not known how it looked when Joseph received the golden plates.  Joseph first saw the place in vision, then knew it immediately when he saw it in person.  That would be easier if there were only a few trees, however, it could have made clear even with lots of trees around.  Just a little FYI side note!

This one's for Ross and Lance.

Taunting the Lamanites.

The stage for the pageant was fun to see.  These girls are even putting on a pretty good show!

Before the pageant starts, all of the actors come out and "mingle with the crowd."  Eliza and Anna were the only ones who would go with me to talk to some of them, but Anna refused to stand by them for a picture.  This couple has done the pageant for 21 years!  Twenty years in a row, then a 13 year gap, now they are back this year with some of their grandchildren.  They look pretty authentic, don't they!

This family has done the pageant for 3 years now.  Those who are in it come for about 2 weeks--one to prepare and one to perform.  It is pretty amazing that they can pull it all together so fast!  After meeting this family, I realized their little girl, Allison, was featured in the article about the pageant in The Friend.  We met a real celebrity!  She told us her testimony in sign language.

Grandma (aka Sister Yearsley) and Grandpa (aka Brother Yearsley) were able to come see the pageant with us.  It was great to spend the evening with them.  I think Grandma enjoyed her snuggle time!

Natalia and Grandpa Yearsley.  See that pink blanket on the chair next to Natalia?  That is Anna's "bee blankie," and it was never heard of more after this night.  It was one of her special blankets, but luckily she has two other favorites, so it hasn't been too heart breaking to lose it.  Madeline promised to make her another. 

We camped out in our seats for several hours.  There were flags from every country surrounding the field and the older girls spent lots of time running around the circle touching each flag pole.

Anna fell asleep as soon as the pageant began and slept through it all!

 We enjoyed the Hill Cumorah Pageant.  It covers the entire story of the Book of Mormon on through the restoration and pioneers coming to Utah.  Though it covered a large amount of info, I thought they did a good job of keeping it moving.  It didn't drag on.  The special effects were quite impressive--fire, floods, mist, rain, storms, etc.  It was cool.  I am glad we were able to see it!