In the year 1820, there was a 14-year-old boy in upstate New York who wanted to know what church to join. He went to a grove near his home to ask God which one was right. His prayer was answered through a vision of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. This vision initiated the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our day.

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to go to the grove where this boy, Joseph Smith, prayed and had his glorious vision of the Father and the Son. I wanted to go off by myself and ask the question: Did it happen here? In my prayer, I asked my question, then felt the words: "Where is your sacred grove?" At that time in my life, I was struggling to find a quiet place to study. Joseph had gone to the grove because it was nearby and private. I knew that if I could find a place to study, there I would receive my answer about Joseph Smith's vision.

When I returned home, I identified a space in my closet for a small desk and a folding chair. It was the perfect place for me to be alone. I spent many wonderful hours in that closet studying about the Savior Jesus Christ in the scriptures. Over time, I saw that the answer I sought in the grove was being delivered one study at a time in my closet. I gained a stronger testimony of both Jesus Christ and the prophet of the restoration, Joseph Smith.

I tell my story in this video:

Years later, my children started learning the song "My Own Sacred Grove" at church. You can listen to it in this video:

After listening to the song, I immediately recognized the message as the same thing I had learned that summer morning in the Sacred Grove years before: we all need somewhere close and convenient where we can go to commune with God. I hope you will consider where you might go to connect with God on a regular basis. Make it a place where you can go often. Make it a reverent place where you can feel the spirit of the Lord.