Temple History[]
The Palmyra New York Temple is the 77th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is the first temple built in New York.
Situated on an elevated ridge just beyond the Sacred Grove where God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith in the spring of 1820, the Palmyra New York Temple—a House of the Lord—stands as a testimony to that singular event. Rich in Church history, the Palmyra landscape is dotted with historic sites including the Hill Cumorah Visitors' Center where Joseph Smith retrieved the ancient gold plates, which were translated into the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. In the summer, Palmyra hosts the popular Hill Cumorah Pageant: America's Witness for Christ. The pageant is free and open to the public.
The Palmyra New York Temple was the first temple built in New York.
The Palmyra New York Temple was the 100th announced temple of the Church.
The site of the Palmyra New York Temple is on the east end of the original 100-acre Smith Family Farm—owned by the Church.
The Palmyra New York Temple is one of three temples built in locations of historic significance for the early Church. (The other two temples are the Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple and the Nauvoo Illinois Temple.)
Church leaders commissioned Utah artist Tom Holdman to create the Sacred Grove-themed stained-glass windows throughout the Palmyra New York Temple including a stained glass mural of the First Vision, which hangs in the hallway.
The windows in the waiting area of the Palmyra New York Temple were etched with a tree design but left transparent at the request of President Gordon B. Hinckley to provide a view of the Sacred Grove. An administration office was relocated during construction to fulfill this request.
The Palmyra New York Temple was dedicated on April 6, 2000, exactly 170 years after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formally organized in Fayette, New York, (about 30 miles from Palmyra) on April 6, 1830.
The dedicatory services of the Palmyra New York Temple were broadcast over the Church's encrypted satellite system to stake centers and Church facilities throughout North America.
Temple District[]
The Palmyra New York Temple serves members from 7 stakes and 1 district headquartered in Upstate New York:
- Buffalo New York Stake
- Jamestown New York Stake
- Oswego New York Stake
- Palmyra New York Stake
- Potsdam New York District
- Rochester New York Stake
- Syracuse New York Stake
- Utica New York Stake
Presidents[]
- R. Brent Miner 2018–
- Rollo E. Black 2015–2018
- Thomas B. Brighton III 2012–2015
- William H. Sherwood Jr. 2009–2012
- Ralph E. Siebach 2006–2009
- Howard C. Sharp 2003–2006
- Dale S. Dallon 2000–2003
See Also[]
References[]
Palmyra New York Temple[]
The Palmyra New York Temple is the 77th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is the first temple built in New York. Situated on an elevated ridge just beyond the Sacred Grove where God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith in the spring of 1820, the Palmyra New York Temple—a House of the Lord—stands as a testimony to that singular event. Rich in Church history, the Palmyra landscape is dotted with historic sites including the Hill Cumorah Visitors' Center where Joseph Smith retrieved the ancient gold plates, which were translated into the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.