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OAKLAND TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is set to dedicate a new visitors' center on Saturday at the site where the priesthood was restored.
The location is what was once known as Harmony, Pennsylvania, an important site for church members.
Among the elements available to patrons will be a visitors' center and a meetinghouse, along with Joseph and Emma Smith's reconstructed home, the baptismal site of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and the grove where John the Baptist ordained the prophet and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood, according to LDS.org.
Joseph and Emma Smith lived on a farm on the site belonging to Emma's parents shortly after they were married in 1827.
"The fact that the church has been willing to invest in this property and make it a beautiful historic site will really elevate its importance in Mormon history," said Dr. Alex Baugh, professor of church history at BYU. "Helping Latter-day Saints understand more of their history and the significant events that took place there."
President Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will offer a dedicatory prayer at the ceremony, which will be available streaming live online and via the church satellite system. It will also be archived later by LDS.org.
Contributing: Sam Penrod
