The rededicated Hill Cumorah helps visitors strengthen their testimonies as it serves as ‘the cradle of the Restoration’
Church News
Church News
4.9 • 782 Ratings
🗓️ 11 November 2025
⏱️ 47 minutes
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Summary
The recently refurbished and rededicated Hill Cumorah in Manchester, New York, is a historic and sacred site for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles called the reforested and refurbished area “the cradle of the Restoration.” The area was a pivotal place for the instruction of the young Prophet Joseph Smith, as well as the receiving and translation of the ancient gold plates that we now have as the Book of Mormon.
In this episode of the Church News podcast, Church News editor Ryan Jensen is joined by Benjamin Pykles, director of historic sites for the Church, and Sam Palfreyman, site manager for the Palmyra area, to explore the sacred significance of Hill Cumorah, the faith-promoting experiences of visiting historic Church sites, and how understanding the early history of the Church can help individuals gain and strengthen their testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This podcast was recorded prior to the passing of President Russell M. Nelson, 17th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. |
| 0:08.0 | Some edits have been made to note his passing and some interviews include remarks made before his death. |
| 0:28.4 | I hope people have a witness that what God and Jesus did in restoring the gospel to the earth, including bringing forth the Book of Mormon. |
| 0:31.4 | I hope they'll feel a connection to their own identity as Latter-day Saints when they visit |
| 0:36.3 | the Hill Comorah, and they can sense that, wow, the things that happened right here have blessed my life. |
| 0:42.9 | You can tie it back to the things that happened on this hill. |
| 0:46.1 | The preservation of that record, the Lord preserved those gold plates there for 1,400 years, |
| 0:52.9 | so that when the time was right, he could send Moronai to go show |
| 0:57.9 | Joseph where those were and prepare that young man to be spiritually ready to take those plates |
| 1:05.2 | out of the hill and then with the gift and power of God translated into the Book of Mormon. |
| 1:09.5 | And now that book has and will continue to fill the earth and bless millions of lives |
| 1:14.6 | as they read and receive the witness of Jesus Christ that that book is. |
| 1:23.6 | This is John Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News. |
| 1:28.0 | Welcome to the Church News podcast. |
| 1:30.3 | Today we're taking you on a journey of connection as we discuss news and events of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. |
| 1:41.2 | In Manchester, New York, at roughly 100 feet high, the hill Camorra stands as a small but |
| 1:46.8 | significant marker for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. |
| 1:51.1 | This is the place where the prophet Joseph Smith met annually with a messenger from God named |
| 1:56.0 | Maronai. |
| 1:57.5 | From 1823 to 1827, Joseph was taught there by Maronai until the young prophet was given the task of translating ancient gold plates into what we now have as the Book of Mormon. |
| 2:08.3 | On September 21st, 2025, the sacred site and its surroundings, including a renovated visitor center, were rededicated as a place of holy remembrance. |
| 2:18.7 | Elder David A. Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, rededicated the historic |
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