President Nelson Dedicates Site Where Joseph Smith Received the Priesthood
Over the weekend, Russell M. Nelson, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, dedicated the historic priesthood restoration site.
The site, located in Oakland Township, Pennsylvania, is the place where Joseph Smith received the priesthood and translated much of the Book of Mormon.
Mormon Newsroom reports that the site underwent some renovations prior to the dedicatory ceremony. Some of these renovations include the following:
- A trail, connecting the visitors center to the historic site.
- Better access to the Susquehanna River, where Church founder Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were baptized.
- Reconstructed historic homes, including Joseph and Emma’s.
- A film at the visitor’s center to introduce the area to guests.
Nelson addressed those gathered for the dedication, as shown in the video above. “Through this period, the Lord tutored Joseph in his divine role as prophet, seer, and revelator,” Nelson said. “Receiving the priesthood empowered Joseph Smith to function fully as the Prophet of this last dispensation. Here he worked during a remarkable and formative season of translation, revelation, and restoration.”
The site and visitor’s center is open to guests Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.