MANCHESTER, NY — Hill Cumorah Historic Site is a place of great, sacred reverence for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members throughout the county and world — and for Elder David A. Bednar, too.
Bednar, a member of the church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, traveled here to preside over a dedication service Sept. 21 and beforehand, wander through the historic grounds. He said he visited once as a young child but has no firm memories other than he has remembered “all my life I was there.”
For Latter-day Saints, Hill Cumorah is sacred because of its connection to the Book of Mormon, a volume of scripture containing history and teachings of Christian people in the ancient Americas. Latter-day Saints believe that the Book of Mormon was originally written in an ancient language on gold plates, which they say were buried in the hill and revealed to the young prophet, Joseph Smith, on Sept. 21, 1823.
Not only is it a sacred place, Bednar said, but it serves as the foundation of the church and now, the setting of one of the most memorable, impactful experiences he’s had.
“This is where it really happened,” Bednar said.
What happened at the Hill Cumorah Historic Site?
Visitors from across the country attended the dedication, which included remarks from Bednar and other church dignitaries as well as music performed by the Palmyra New York Stake.
The visitors center at the base of the hill at the Hill Cumorah Historic Site reopened to the public May 21, featuring several new interactive exhibits, a film and artwork, all sharing stories and messages about the site. Three new statues depict a scene in the Book of Mormon.
The hill, which was the site of the Hill Cumorah Pageant for decades that drew tens of thousands to the Finger Lakes region every year, has also been rehabilitated, with reforestation efforts and a new system of trails that wind their way to the top of the hill.
The renovation work was extensive; 23 buildings associated with the pageant were removed.
After the ceremony, visitors explored the trails, individually or in groups, while others explored inside the center.
From Hill Cumorah Pageant spectacle to quiet contemplation
Noting the significance of the Hill Cumorah Pageant, which celebrated the Book of Mormon and the church’s history from 1935 until its end in 2019, Bednar said the pageant was “fabulous.”
Now, the hill is a place for more contemplative reflection and quiet prayer.
“We want future generations to come here and feel that sacred reverence that is particular, maybe even peculiar, to this place,” Bednar said. “A place where there can be very powerful worship and we want to preserve that.”
The family of Suzy Jensen and husband Cary Jensen of Brighton had taken part in the pageant for 62 years, whether on stage or behind the scenes, and experienced some very powerful moments as a result.
Suzy Jensen said they are supportive of its slow return to its origins as a sacred grove, but noted the cancellation of the pageant was a hard change.
“People around here really loved it, and it was a beautiful meeting place for lots of people to come,” she said. “I appreciate what Elder Bednar said about returning it to a more contemplative, spiritual place where people are able to come and worship.”
Hill Cumorah remains a place to visit
Ontario County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jared Simpson, who also is Canandaigua town supervisor, said the events that happened here changed the world and the county is proud to be the home of such a significant, world-renowned religious site. He is looking forward to continuing a great relationship for generations to come.
“From the days of the Hill Cumorah Pageant to the numerous shared community events, our county has had a strong relationship with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” Simpson said. “That relationship continues to grow, and the county and local congregations of the church have partnered in efforts ranging from humanitarian outreach to disaster relief. I am humbled to be part of this relationship as a leader in both Ontario County and the Church of Jesus Christ.”
Bednard has a pledge: People will still come to visit Hill Cumorah in its new form. It’ll just be different.
“They won’t come just in the summer, and they won’t come all at the same time. There will be a steady stream of people coming to these places to come and learn,” Bednard said. “You can take it to the bank: You’re not going to have as many at one time, but there will be a lot more over time.
More about the Hill Cumorah visitors center
Admission is free to the visitors center, which was built in 2002.
From now to Oct. 31, the center is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1 to 6 p.m. Sundays. From Nov. 1 to April 30, the center opens at the same times and closes at 5 p.m. From May 1 to Aug. 31, the center is open at the same times and closes at 7 p.m.
Throughout the year, the trails on the hill are open from dawn to dusk.
The visitors center and many features of the hill are ADA accessible. Additional information about visiting the site, including a new digital exhibit, is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org/learn/locations/hill-cumorah.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Visitors explore changes at Hill Cumorah, sacred LDS site in Ontario County
Reporting by Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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