PROVO — As a child, Palmyra Packer was persecuted and rejected because she believed in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
But that's now a dim memory for the 92-year-old woman who was born and grew up on the Joseph Smith Sr. farm near Palmyra, N.Y.
(Joseph Smith Jr. established the religion in Palmyra in 1830. Within a few years persecution drove believers out.)
In 1915 her parents accepted an assignment from LDS Church officials to care for the farm and return the church to its birthplace. Their five-year mission lasted 24 years.
When Palmyra's father — former Nevada sheriff and prizefighter Willard Bean — and his new wife arrived at the Smith farm, persecution was still part of life.
Palmyra Bean was born in the Smith home soon after the Beans' arrival. She was named for the town.
Their story of the church's return to Palmyra under Presidents Joseph F. Smith and Heber J. Grant is recounted in the newly published book, "A Lion and a Lamb," by Rand Packer. Rand Packer is Palmyra Packer's son and recently retired Church Education System director of the Utah Valley north area.
Rand Packer used historical records, including his grandfather's journal, to tell the story of how a stubborn fighter with a burning testimony of his religion — and his wife, known for her gentleness — turned persecution into acceptance and rejection into ownership of the Hill Cumorah and other lands in and around Palmyra.
"Dad knew what people thought about the Mormons. It took Mother awhile. It was sad for her," said Palmyra Packer.
Rand Packer wrote the book in six months. As soon as he completed a chapter his mother would read it over for accuracy.
Although the book doesn't include much of the rejection she suffered, Palmyra Packer remembers being banished to sit outside the classroom when she was in elementary school because her teacher didn't want the other children associating with a Mormon.
By the time she graduated from high school, though, she had found acceptance. She was named valedictorian and vice president for her graduating class.
"They learned to admit that Mormons were normal people by then," she said.
Her father had the temperament to withstand the bitterness and harsh treatment while her mother's kind demeanor created friends out of enemies.
The book details how Willard Bean helped the church buy the Hill Cumorah, a site sacred to LDS people because Joseph Smith found plates of gold in that hill, plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated. The Sacred Grove, where Smith was visited by God and Jesus Christ in a vision, is nearby.
As a child, Palmyra Packer took visitors, including church leaders, to the site where the vision occurred.
The book also recounts the installation and dedication of the Angel Moroni monument and early Hill Cumorah pageants. She remembers taking part in those early pageants.
Palmyra Bean married Thane J. Packer. She continues to live in the family home near BYU.
A LION AND A LAMB
Author: Rand Packer
Publisher: Spring Creek Books
Category: non-fiction
Pages: 176
Cost: $14.95
Available at: all LDS bookstores and online at: www.DeseretBook.com
E-mail: rodger@desnews.com