Morman site to be rebuilt
Property once home to founder
OAKLAND TWP. - A plot of land in Susquehanna County that was once home to Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be developed into a visitors center focused on the historical significance of the place.
The Oakland Twp. land holds sacred significance to the church and is a recognized historical site. Keith Dunford, stake president of nine LDS congregations in Northeast Pennsylvania, said "the church concluded it was time to do a full restoration of this site for church members and nonmembers to learn about our church history."
Plans for the site include the realigning of Route 171 for safety issues; the reconstruction of the Isaac Hale and Joseph Smith homes; and the building of a visitors' center and chapel. Trails, walkways and access roads also will be constructed, Mr. Dunford said.
Archeologists are already at work around the foundation and well at the Isaac Hale home. Mr. Hale, and his wife, Elizabeth, were parents to Emma (Hale) Smith, wife of Joseph Smith. Although there are no photographs of the Hale home, Mr. Dunford said the archeologists would be looking for clues about the home's construction so it could be replicated at the site.
There is, however, a picture of the Joseph and Emma Smith home. Plans include reconstructing the small home where Mr. Smith worked at transcribing a large portion of the Book of Mormon in 1828-29.
Walking trails will be built in the area of the Sugarbush, a grove of maple trees that, according to church doctrine, is where John the Baptist first appeared to Mr. Smith.
A road, leading to the Joseph Smith baptismal site along the river, will be put in along with a parking area for visitor convenience, but no buildings will be built in that area, Mr. Dunford said.
And on Saturday, Mr. Dunford unveiled the artist's rendering of the visitors center and chapel. The building will be able to hold about 235 people, he said.
Pennsylvania bluestone will be used on the building facade and on walkways in the garden area outside of the center.
Susquehanna County native daughter Emma Hale's home is a "sacred place to the church," Mr. Dunford said. "(The project) will not only be to honor Joseph Smith, but also Emma."
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