On the drive home, I saw a sign that I recognized from my LDS upbringing. Hill Cumorah was featured as one of the tourist sites at the next exit, which announced Palmyra, NY as one of the destinations. The Hill Cumorah is a revered site in LDS/Book of Mormon history:
In A.D. 421, Moroni, the last survivor of a great civilization that had inhabited the Americas since about 600 B.C., buried in this hill a set of gold plates on which was recorded the history of his people. In 1827, Moroni returned as an angel and delivered the plates to Joseph Smith, who translated them and published them as the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.I had always heard about this place growing up and yet, had never gotten to visit. My wife's aunt and uncle, who are LDS, had visited and spoke of it like a great spiritual event. As if visiting somehow made them closer to God and strengthened their faith. I thought, 'What the heck! I'm here. I have time. I'm going.'
I pulled off the Thruway, paid my toll, and proceeded along the rural highway. It wasn't long, maybe a mile or two up the road and there it was--a large Visitor's Center, in true Mormon style; made of white granite stone, manicured grounds, complete with the same statue of the Mormon version of Jesus that is found in every LDS Visitor's Center.
It was still early in the morning, and it was Sunday morning to boot, so I figured that the Visitor's Center wouldn't be open. As I drove past the building in the parking lot, I noticed a road that went behind the Center and appeared to wind up and behind the hill. There wasn't a closed gate, so I decided to head up the hill.
By now, you may be anticipating some thrilling climactic event. But, that's just the thing, I drove up the hill, the road went past the camp facilities on the backside of the hill and wound itself all the way up to the parking lot at the top of the hill (Just about 50 yards to the right of the monument in the picture, behind some trees) and nothing happened!
There was no confrontation with Mormons, or spirits. I didn't feel anything. No closer to God, no great spiritual revelation, no sense of being on hallowed ground. Not even pity or animosity towards those who believe what I no longer believe. I am so surprised at how anticlimactic it was.
I drove away and as I turned back onto the road, I noticed some of the most beautiful leaves on the trees, and took a couple pictures for a friend who lamented on having missed the "glory of fall". As the hill disappeared in the rear-view mirror, I was suddenly aware of why my relationship with God is not tied to holy sites. I have no need to make pilgrimages to complete my experience of God. And THAT is a kewl thing!!
Previous Comments:
John 4:21-23 Jesus declared, "Believe me,... a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem... a time is coming AND HAS NOW COME when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks."
Isn't it grand that because of Christ we now worship in our hearts (internally) rather than in a certain geographical location, or church building, (externally).
Posted by Sandy on October 29, 2003 at 04:08:10 PM
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