SHARON
by Becky Cardon Smith
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Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of articles focusing on Church sites to see and things to do in the New England area. (Click Here for Archive)

In the Bible, the Plain of Sharon, located north of Joppa, was known for its beauty and fertile land (see map #1 in the LDS scriptures). Here a young David watched over his sheep prior to facing his adversary named Goliath. Sharon, Vermont, bordering the White River, can also be described as a beautiful and fertile land. Chartered in 1761, it has a current population of about 1,400. Early settlers probably named the village after their previous home of Sharon, Connecticut. 

In 1804, Solomon Mack purchased a 100-acre farm bordering the Royalton-Sharon Townships for the sum of $800. Soon after, he rented his cabin and about 68 acres of the farm to his daughter, Lucy, her husband Joseph Smith Sr., and their four small children. On December 23, 1805, Lucy gave birth to a third son who was given the name of his father – Joseph Smith. Though the usual custom was to give the father’s name to the oldest son, the naming of this young son fulfilled the prophecy made by another Joseph, who was sold into Egypt (2 Nephi 3:14-15). And like young David from the Plains of Sharon, young Joseph born in the Township of Sharon would soon be challenged by and ultimately overcome his own adversities or “Goliaths.”

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

After selling their farm in nearby Tunbridge, Joseph Sr. and Lucy lived briefly in Royalton before renting the log cabin and farm from Solomon Mack in Sharon Township. (The Village of Sharon is actually a few miles away). Lucy Smith recounts that during their three-year stay, Joseph Sr. farmed the land in the summer and also taught school in the winter “during which time our circumstances gradually improved until we found ourselves quite comfortable again” (HJS p. 46). In 1807, the Smith family moved back to Tunbridge, next to Royalton, then to Lebanon, New Hampshire, and finally to Norwich, before leaving Vermont for the state of New York.

The birth of Lucy’s fifth child, Joseph Smith Jr., on December 23, 1805 was not only a blessing to the family but also to the world. Though all that remains of his first home is the fireplace hearthstone and a stone from the front doorstep, the stately 38 ½ foot high granite memorial honors this revered Prophet. The Church purchased the original Solomon Mack farm as well as much of the surrounding acreage in 1905. A small memorial cottage was originally built at this location but has since been replaced by a visitors’ center. The granite monument was erected and dedicated on December 23, 1905, to commemorate the one-hundredth anniversary of Joseph’s birth. President Joseph F. Smith, nephew of the Prophet and also one of our Latter-day Prophets, presided over the service and gave the dedicatory prayer. In his remarks, President Smith prayed that those who visited the monument would have a feeling of peace and “respect in their hearts” and that it would cause many “to reflect soberly upon this great problem of human life and redemption that has been opened up to the world through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith” (Proceedings at the Dedication of the Joseph Smith Memorial Monument, p. 26).     

SITES TO SEE

After entering the main gates of the Joseph Smith Memorial, you will first pass the LDS chapel on your left. Continue further and you will see the monument nestled on a rise between two buildings. The building on the right is the recently remodeled visitors’ center while the building on the left houses the director. Directly behind the center is a road that makes a loop taking you past the Solomon Mack home site, the Daniel Mack home site, and a small stone bridge. (The one-mile loop can be made by car or by foot.) The homes and bridge were located by what was once the old turnpike road. It was the main highway on which the Mack family traveled. You can still see remnants of the rock wall that once lined both sides of the road. Allow 1-2 hours if you are planning to see all of these sites at the memorial. A wonderful stop for children is at Camp Joseph. It is also owned by the Church and is located just minutes from the monument. It includes a playground, lots of grass, picnic tables, and a beautiful scenic view of the area.

• LDS Visitors’ Center – Outside the center, notice the pictures showing the challenging process of bringing the monument from the quarry to its present site. Inside, notice the scale map of the Solomon Mack farm, the original hearthstone from the Smith family cottage, a rocking chair made by the young prophet, and the large statue of Joseph Smith. In the new 36-seat theater, you can watch one of several videos. Restrooms are located both inside the visitors’ center and outside. Allow at least 30-45 minutes for the free guided tour of the visitors’ center and the monument. The beautiful grounds and picnic area make this a great lunch stop. Located at 357 LDS Lane, just off Dairy Hill Road. Open Monday thru Saturday 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m. (May–Oct.). Winter hours are Monday thru Saturday 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:30 p.m.–5 p.m. (Nov. – April). For further information call 802-763-7742.

• Joseph Smith Monument – Quarried at nearby Barre, this 38 ½ foot single piece of granite weighing about 39 tons stands as a stately monument to the Prophet. Obelisk shaped, its height represents Joseph’s age at the time of his martyrdom – 38 ½ years. But standing on a base, with an additional ornamental top, the monument actually rises to over 50 feet high. Transporting the granite monument from Barre was difficult. The last 5 miles from South Royalton to the monument site were extremely challenging. In answer to prayers, the task of pulling this shaft over 5 miles of muddy roads by 2 oxen and 22 horses was finally accomplished when the ground froze. The monument was completed just days before the scheduled dedication date of December 23, 1905. Walk around the monument and take time to read the inscriptions on each side. Don’t forget to take a picture with the sun reflecting off the top of the monument.   

• Log Cabin Site – The birth site of the Prophet Joseph Smith is just to the left of the monument. The hearthstone originally located in the cabin can now be found inside the visitors’ center. All that remains of the original cabin is the front doorstep of the home. Though Joseph’s birthplace is generally considered as being in the Sharon Township, the home site actually straddled the boundary between the Royalton and Sharon Townships, with portions of the home in each township. Years ago, a Memorial Cottage marked the site of the Prophet’s birthplace. The birdhouse located just to the left of the cabin site was built by one of the missionaries and is a replica of this cottage. 

• Solomon Mack’s Home Site – A marker at this site reads, “The Solomon Mack Farm. 100 acres was purchased by him in 1804. An extra house on it was rented to his son-in-law Joseph Smith Sr. This old cellar is all that remains of the Solomon Mack home. Near by may be seen foundations for the out buildings.” Solomon and Lydia Gates Mack were the parents of Lucy Smith (the Prophet’s mother). Solomon was born in Lyme, Connecticut on September 15, 1732. Apprenticed to a farmer at a young age, he enlisted in the service of King George II at the age of 21 and fought in the French and Indian War. He later met and married an “accomplished young woman” and schoolteacher – Lydia Gates. Credited as having an “excellent disposition,” she provided her children with a strong educational and spiritual upbringing (see CHC 1:19). Their third daughter, Lucy, would also provide this same educational and spiritual training for her own children.

• Old Stone Bridge – A marker reads, “This bridge is typical of the early small bridges in New England. It is made entirely of stones and was here before 1804, when the Solomon Mack family purchased the farm. The old turnpike which was the main highway through this country crossed this bridge at that time.”

• Daniel G. Mack’s Home Site – A marker at this site reads, “This old cellar and foundation mark the spot where the Daniel Mack family probably lived for many years after the Solomon Mack farm was sold by Daniel’s father in 1811. Lydia Gates Mack, the mother of Daniel and Lucy Mack Smith, lived here with Daniel until her death about 1817.” Lucy describes her brother Daniel as “rather worldly minded, yet he was not vicious” (HJS p. 27). Also described as having a “daring and philanthropic” spirit, he once risked his own life to save three men who were drowning. In her later years, Lydia Mack lived with her daughter Lucy’s family until their move to Palmyra. Lydia then moved in with her son Daniel. She died around 1817 from injuries she received in a wagon accident (HJS p. 61).

• School House – Tradition says that the red brick home located just to the left and across the street from the entrance to the Joseph Smith Memorial is the actual school where Joseph Smith Sr. taught. The home is privately owned and not available for tours.

THINGS TO DO

• Hike to the top of Patriarch Hill – The trail to the top of the hill starts from the Joseph Smith Memorial visitors’ center. Allow yourself at least an hour for the moderate hike up the hill. Enjoy the beautiful vista from the top and don’t forget to see Patriarch Tree – it is over 200 years old.

• Enjoy the live nativity and over 100,000 lights decorating the monument and the surrounding area during the month of December. Call the visitors’ center for more information.

• Rock of Ages Granite Quarries in Barre – Stop in the quarry visitors’ center and see the free video explaining the quarrying process, visit the excavation site next to the center where the Joseph Smith monument was quarried (currently inactive), take home a free sample of granite available at this quarry, or take a 35 minute shuttle bus tour of the upper quarry. Admission: (for bus tour only) children $1.50 and adults $4.00. Open May thru October 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (last bus tour at 3:30). Located about 25 miles north of Sharon. Traveling on I-89 north, take exit #6. After exiting stay on Route 63 to the bottom of the hill, go through the light, and follow the signs. 802-476-3119.

• Quechee Gorge – Visit the Quechee Gorge overlook sometimes referred to as Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon (165 ft. deep). Bike paths and hiking trails are located at the Quechee Gorge State Park. Located off I-89 (exit #1) on Route 4.

• Quechee and Woodstock – In a picture perfect setting, this area offers a wide variety of shopping options including antique store, New England candle shops, glass novelties, and many Vermont specialty stores. Pizza parlors, diners, and other restaurants are also located here. Located off 1-89 (exit #1) on Route 4.

• Sugarbush Farm – Visit a small working farm and learn about the process of making maple syrup. Enjoy free samples of syrup and cheese, beautiful scenery, a maple walk, and gift store. Admission is free. Open year round 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. The farm is located about 15 miles from Sharon (but at least a 30 minute drive) and between Woodstock and Quechee at 591 Sugarbush Farm Road. 802-457-1757 (Call ahead to check on road conditions during wet season.)

• Take a scenic drive – Visit www.VermontVacation.com for some suggested scenic tours. If time is short, spend time just driving around the general vicinity – the entire area is picture perfect.

• Pictures – Speaking of pictures, don’t forget your camera! The fall foliage, scenic vistas, New England’s famous covered bridges, or white-framed churches are just a few of the many photographic opportunities you won’t want to miss.

Next Week: Tunbridge, Vermont

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