The log home where Joseph Smith grew to manhood - long since destroyed by time, weather and man - is being re-built after 20 years of research and archaeological investigation.
On Jan. 14-15, the main structure of the replica home was erected on the site of the original Smith family log home.When completed in March, the home will appear the way it did when Joseph walked out the door on his way to the Sacred Grove in the spring of 1820.
"Constructing the home was a time of sacred significance," said Donald L. Enders, research senior for the Church Historical department, who assisted in the construction.
"This is the place where ancient prophecy was fulfilled," he said.
Details for the home are the result of extensive research, archaeological investigation and review of more than 30 period log homes in Vermont and western New York.
The masonry, windows, doors, fireplace and bedroom wing will be built to the highest degree of historical accuracy that is available, Brother Enders explained.
"The Church was fortunate to find a competent contractor who is respected for his sensitivity to historical accuracy, and as an expert in restoration of historical barns," he continued.
Construction of the replica log home was coordinated by the Church's Historic Sites Committee, under the direction of Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy, and included the coordination of contractor, architects and local workers.
"We felt the spirit of the occasion," said Elder Richard Hebertson, a public affairs missionary serving at the Palmyra historic sites with his wife, Barbara.
"Cheers went out when the last rafter was placed," he said.
Construction of the replica began the afternoon of Jan. 14, after a semi-trailer loaded with logs arrived at the site of the original Smith family log home.
Snow storms and cold weather threatened to postpone the construction, but Elder Chuck Canfield, director of historic sites in the Palmyra area, opted to proceed with plans.
"It actually turned out to be a pretty nice day," Elder Canfield said. "The storms subsided and temperatures were moderate. It didn't snow again until after the closing prayer that night."
Logs from the woods surrounding the Smith farm were cut in February 1997 and then hand-hewn with axes during the year by the contractor in Cazenovia, N.Y. The logs were then tooled to create two flat sides according to building techniques of the day.
"Log homes were built with a variety of wood," explained Brother Enders. "Those logs most exposed to the harmful effects of the weather needed to be sturdiest. White pine, ironwood, oak and walnut were generally selected. Other hardwoods such as beech, ash and hickory were used to form the walls, with maple used to create the rafters," he said.
The log home replica had been previously assembled by the contractor before being brought to the Smith family farm. Each log had been labeled and custom fitted.
At the farm site, the contractor, aided by a contingent of volunteers, began building the log home replica by hoisting the large foundation timbers from the trailer.
Workers slipped web belts that dangled from a crane around opposite ends of the logs to form a sling. The logs, weighing an estimated 1,000 lbs., were guided into position by several men who used 40-pound hardwood mallets to nudge them into place.
By late afternoon of the next day, the last of the rafters was set in place, prompting a round of cheers by those who had assembled to watch. Following a closing prayer, snow began to fall. By the next day, 5 inches had accumulated.
"In many ways," said Elder Hebertson in reflection, "the construction of the replica is similar to the construction of the original Smith family home. Both were built between harvest and spring, both were the result of hard work, and both required a community effort to complete."
"This is a home of sacred significance," Brother Enders explained. "This is an area hallowed by the personal visitation of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. How many places in the world do we know where the Father personally visited?
"This is the home where Joseph lived when he came out of the Sacred Grove with a divine promise that the gospel would be restored."