LDS Freedom Forum

On a recent visit to Palmyra my wife and I picked up a book at the bookstore there titled "Back To Cumorah", which tells the story of Willard Bean, who was sent east by the Church to care for church property in Palmyra back in the early 20th century. It documents the history of the area, tells the story of how and when the Church acquired all the various properties, and has a wonderful pictorial history of visiting general authorities to the area over the years.

On page 150 it gives a tantalizing snippet of information I had never heard before:

"Elder Talmage enjoyed spending time in the Sacred Grove and on one occasion, following a meeting, he stayed for several hours. Willard grew worried when he didn't return by nightfall and with a lantern went to the Sacred Grove. Upon entering, Willard heard foot steps and then the voice of Dr. Talmage, "Oh, the things I have seen and heard this day..."

Later that evening, Willard asked if they would be able to read about his Grove experience in the Deseret News, to which he replied: "When I tell the authorities what I have seen and heard this day, I'm sure they won't want to print it." Then in a whisper he concluded, "My poor, poor people."

Since reading this I've been on the prowl for further documentation or evidence of this story. Has anyone here heard this before?

I have not heard of this.

It sounds like something the general authorities did not want to spread abroad, so short of finding his journal you are probably out of luck.

I did find the account you spoke of here http://hillcumorah.net/rtpalmyra.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; It is probably half way down the page.

Nan wrote:I did find the account you spoke of here http://hillcumorah.net/rtpalmyra.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; It is probably half way down the page.

Thanks for the link. It is nice to see it documented somewhere else.

"My poor, poor people." Does he mean the Saints, or humanity in general?

Nan wrote:I did find the account you spoke of here http://hillcumorah.net/rtpalmyra.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; It is probably half way down the page.

Nan! How can any one read this and not come away feeling the love of the Savior in abundance? This is a great find and I feel so grateful to have been able to share in its telling. Thanks so much for posting!

Could he have perhaps been shown the great wars?

John Locke wrote:Could he have perhaps been shown the great wars?

We could postulate what he meant when he said what he said, but we will never know, so why waste time and energy to do so, when we could be preparing....or posting something we do know! )

I asked the question because I'm trying to find more information -- as in detail -- about the vision. Not too sure what he saw but I would like to find out, for obvious reasons. I'll keep looking, but for now it is nice to see a 2nd source for the story. I would imagine the Church has a record of such visions given to all the apostles, after all they are all prophets, seers and revelators.

Thank you for posting this talk. It is truly a beautiful and inspiring one.


Believer

Nan wrote:I did find the account you spoke of here http://hillcumorah.net/rtpalmyra.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; It is probably half way down the page.

I had never heard this story about the monument before:

Brother Knaphus told me this story: (some of you probably know of him) He said that as soon as he heard that we owned the Hill Cumorah, he started making sketches of what he thought an Angel Moroni monument and statue should look like. No one asked him to do this or knew what he was doing. After he had finished seven sketches, one evening all alone he climbed Ensign Peak which looks southward over Salt Lake Valley. In the darkness of the night he laid the seven sketches out on the ground and then he knelt in prayer asking the Lord if he had done the wrong thing. He asked the Lord to show him which one would be the right one to take to the Church Authorities and if it was right and proper for him to even go to them. When he opened his eyes there was a light all around him and he could see every one of the seven sketches, even though it was dark. And then he saw an angel pointing with his finger to the one that he himself thought was the best and he heard the angel say, "This is the one." And then he asked, "How will I approach the Brethren? What will they think? Have I done the right thing to do this?" Then he the angel said, "You go to the Church offices in the morning. They will be waiting for you."

I did a little more research and found that his wife said that the angel Moroni visited him. She doesn't say if it was at this time or another time.

My parents gave us the book you speak of several years ago. It is such an inspiring account. Brother Bean and his wife did a great work! I loved reading about the transformation of the community from hating the "mormon outsiders" on their arrival to the heartfelt love they (the town) had for them when they left 30? years later. My boys particularly like hearing about Bro Beans using of boxing skills during his mission and in Palmyra. I love to read Sis. Bean's account of the her dream she had of serving the missionaries, and Christ reminding her of who she was really serving.

Sorry I don't know anything more about Elder Talmadge's vision than what is mentioned.

That was actually why we bought the book. The story of Willard Bean was one I hadn't heard of before and I found it inspiring. Back in the 1980s my grandparents served as missionaries at the Martin Harris home, back when it was a venue folks could tour and visit. They fell in love with Palmyra but didn't know much then about the Church's history AFTER the Church and Smith family left.

I think we owe a debt of gratitude to folks like Joseph F. Smith, George Albert Smith, Gordon B. Hinckley, B.H. Roberts and others amongst the general authorities of their time that not only secured these historical sites but also called the lesser known faithful like Willard Bean and family to care for them so that we have them today.

If I had my way, every member of the Church would visit Palmyra and spend a sunrise on Cummorah or a private few hours in the Sacred Grove. The powerful influence of that area, almost the ground itself, oozes the spirit of the restoration and SEEING IT gives a new perspective of Joseph and the world he came from. The same is true in contemplating Moroni, who is a powerful figure that deserves more of our study and respect.

The Sacred Grove is a Temple, by the way. There is no better way to describe it.

Nan wrote:I did find the account you spoke of here http://hillcumorah.net/rtpalmyra.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; It is probably half way down the page.

Thank you....a fine uplifting read indeed!

Your welcome.
I found it very beautiful and interesting as well. It is so nice in our messed up world to read about beautiful people and I am not talking about Hollywood.

Nan wrote:Your welcome.
I found it very beautiful and interesting as well. It is so nice in our messed up world to read about beautiful people and I am not talking about Hollywood.

yeppers....need to read one of those each and every day. Good for the heart and soul!

Wow! Nice find and thanks for sharing.