In the Peter Whitmer log home, many key events in Latter Day Saint history

History of the Latter Day Saint movement

The Latter Day Saint movement is a religious movement within Christianity that arose during the Second Great Awakening in the early 19th century and that led to the set of doctrines, practices, and cultures called Mormonism and to the existence of numerous Latter Day Saint churches...

 transpired. During the six months Joseph and Emma Smith lived with the Whitmers, a good portion of the Book of Mormon

Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...

 was translated there. It is near this location where The Three Witnesses were shown the plates by the angel Moroni. Also, the official organization of the Church of Christ (later renamed the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1838) is said to have taken place here on April 6, 1830.

Peter Whitmer, Sr.

Peter Whitmer, Sr.

Peter Whitmer, Sr. was an early member of the Latter Day Saint movement, and father of the movement's second founding family.Peter Whitmer, Sr. was born April 14, 1773 in Pennsylvania and married Mary Elsa Musselman. The Whitmers had eight children together: Christian, Jacob, John, David,...

, his wife Mary Musselman Whitmer

Mary Whitmer

Mary Musselman Whitmer was a Mormon Witness, the wife of Peter Whitmer, Sr. Through her son David Whitmer, she and her family became acquainted with Joseph Smith, Jr. around 1828...

, and their eight children, Christian

Christian Whitmer

Christian Whitmer was the eldest son of Peter Whitmer, Sr. and Mary Musselman. He is primarily remembered as one of the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon's Golden Plates.-Biography:...

, Jacob

Jacob Whitmer

Jacob Whitmer was the second born child of Peter Whitmer, Sr. and Mary Musselman. He is primarily remembered as one of the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon's Golden Plates.-Biography:...

, John

John Whitmer

John Whitmer was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement. He was one of the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon's Golden Plates...

, David

David Whitmer

David Whitmer was an early adherent of the Latter Day Saint movement who eventually became the most interviewed of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon's Golden Plates.-Early life:...

, Catherine, Peter Jr.

Peter Whitmer, Jr.

Peter Whitmer, Jr. was the sixth child and fifth son of Peter Whitmer, Sr. and Mary Musselman. He is primarily remembered as one of the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon's Golden Plates.-Biography:...

, Nancy and Elizabeth Ann resided here.

Modern recreation

The farm property in Fayette, New York

Fayette, New York

Fayette is a town in Seneca County, New York, United States. The population was 3,643 at the 2000 census.The Town of Fayette is on the western border of the county and is southeast of Geneva, New York.- History :...

 was purchased by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1926, and the location of the original home was determined in 1947. The current structure is a replica dedicated on 6 April 1980 in a special General Conference

General Conference (LDS Church)

General Conference is a semiannual world conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held in April and October, where members gather in a series of two-hour sessions to listen to instruction from Church leaders...

broadcast.