1. The Restoration, 1820-1845

Near the village of South Bainbridge (now Afton) was the home of Josiah Stowell, a well-to-do farmer who hired Joseph Smith and his father to look for a rumored Spanish silver mine in Harmony. Although the search was unproductive, Joseph continued to work at the Stowell farm during 1826 while he courted Emma Hale. The two were married in South Bainbridge in January 1827. Colesville Township contained the farm of Joseph Knight Sr., who also employed Joseph Smith Jr. in 1826. Knight and his family were quickly converted to Joseph’s teachings, often supporting him during the translation as well. Many of their friends also believed, but enough people opposed Joseph that he was taken to court (and acquitted) here at least twice. In June 1829, the Melchizedek Priesthood was restored somewhere between here and Harmony. In 1830, one of the first branches of the newly organized Church of Christ was created at the Knight farm. Harmony Township (now Oakland) was first visited by Joseph Smith Jr. when he boarded at the home of Isaac Hale while employed by Josiah Stowell to search for a silver mine in early November 1825. Rather than precious metal, Joseph discovered Hale’s daughter Emma. Hale never believed Joseph’s stories of his visions and opposed their marriage, but he eventually sold Joseph and Emma a portion of his farm along the Susquehanna River. This was their primary residence for most of 1828–30, and here Joseph (with Emma, Martin Harris, and Oliver Cowdery) translated most of the Book of Mormon and received the Aaronic Priesthood in 1829. Joseph and Emma were still residing here in 1830, when Joseph began retranslating the Bible. Larry C. Porter

Palmyra was a rapidly growing village when the Smith family moved there in 1816–17. Even when they moved south, this was still the nearest village. The Book of Mormon was printed on the press of E.B. Grandin in Palmyra, becoming available in March 1830 just before the Church was organized. Although Joseph encountered great opposition to his work, he and his family also found many believers, and a branch was formed in the area in 1830. Joseph Smith Sr. and his family lived in two homes straddling the border between Palmyra and Manchester townships between 1818 and 1830. On this land in 1820, Joseph Jr. received his First Vision, and it was in the log house that he was visited by Moroni in 1823. He moved away to work in 1825 but returned in 1827 with his new bride, Emma; during their one-year stay there he obtained the gold plates, but frequent attempts to steal the plates forced them to leave. While staying here in 1829 to oversee the publication of the Book of Mormon, Joseph showed the plates to eight witnesses. Fayette Township was the home of Peter Whitmer and his family. Early converts to Joseph’s message, they welcomed Joseph, Emma, and Oliver Cowdery when persecution heightened to the south. Here Joseph completed the translation of the Book of Mormon, the Three Witnesses received their vision of the plates (July 1829), and the Church was organized in April 1830. Larry C. Porter