Palmyra, Where It All Began April 6, 2000 For millions of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one of the most memorable announcements in recent memory was the plan to build a temple in Palmyra, New York. Palmyra and neighboring Manchester township are significant locations in early Latter-day Saint history. They are, in fact, the place where it all began. Early in the spring of 1820, 14-year-old Joseph Smith sought out the refuge of a forested grove not far from his family's rural log home to, as he later wrote, "offer up the desires of my heart to God." In response to young Joseph's prayer, God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to him. Thus began a restoration of the same church Christ organized during His mortal ministry. This answer to a farm boy's prayer became known as the First Vision, the inaugural event in the formation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Today the Church has nearly 11 million members in 160 nations and territories. In addition to thousands of chapels around the world, the Church constructs temples—structures distinct in both purpose and craftsmanship. Church President Gordon B. Hinckley announced the Palmyra New York Temple on February 9, 1999, and ground was broken for construction three months later, on May 25. Although the completed 10,700-square-foot building reflects a floor plan common to several other Church temples, the decor of the Palmyra New York Temple is unique. Forty art-glass windows throughout the building display a design motif inspired by the hardwood forest that encircles the site. Inside the temple, one is constantly reminded of Joseph's humble prayer in 1820 in the wooded grove not far from the temple door. Additionally, beautifully carved cherry wood railings, wainscoting, and moldings adorn the interior of the building, along with hand-sculpted carpeting. Latter-day Saint temples are considered "houses of the Lord" where teachings of Jesus Christ are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism, and other sacred ordinances that unite families for eternity. Following a public open house in late March 2000 that saw more than 31,000 people tour the building, the Palmyra New York Temple was dedicated for its sacred use by Church President Gordon B. Hinckley on Thursday, April 6, 2000, becoming the Church's 77th operating temple. Due to broad interest among Church members in this historic event, the first session of the dedication services was broadcast live over the Church satellite network to more than 1,300 sites in the United States and Canada. Taped rebroadcasts over the Church network followed later that day. For Latter-day Saints, the historical and spiritual roots of their faith found in Palmyra make this temple dedication an event of singular significance.