On Sunday, September 21, 2025, the Hill Cumorah Historic Site in Palmyra, New York, will be rededicated in a special service at 1 p.m. EDT, with Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presiding and offering the dedicatory prayer. While on-site participation is by invitation only, requiring a ticket, the event will be available for anyone to view online at BroadcastsChurchofJesusChrist.org and will remain accessible for two weeks afterward.
The Hill Cumorah is one of 30 historic sites operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the United States. Each site preserves and shares the Church’s heritage, helping visitors understand the pivotal moments in its history. For generations of Latter-day Saints, Cumorah holds a unique place of reverence, as the site where sacred events unfolded that would forever shape the faith.
The Hill Cumorah, 1907. | ChurchofJesusChrist.orgLatter-day Saints believe the Book of Mormon was originally written on metal plates, often referred to as gold plates, in an ancient language. The final prophet to contribute to the record, Moroni, buried the plates in what is now called the Hill Cumorah around A.D. 420. Over a millennium later, Moroni—now an angel sent from heaven—appeared to a 17-year-old Joseph Smith on September 21, 1823, guiding him to the hidden plates. The following day, Moroni revealed the gold plates to Smith, who, after four years of preparation, was finally entrusted with them on September 22, 1827. By the gift and power of God, Joseph Smith translated the record into English, producing the Book of Mormon—a witness of Jesus Christ now published in more than 100 languages worldwide.
Hill Cumorah Pageant | ChurchofJesusChrist.orgThe Church first welcomed visitors to the Hill Cumorah in 1928, following the purchase of the property. A monument featuring a statue of the angel Moroni was dedicated in 1935, and from that year until 2019, the hill was home to a pageant celebrating the Book of Mormon and Church history. Tens of thousands of visitors from around the world came each year to experience its stories.
The Hill Cumorah Visitors’ Center in Palmyra, New York, in June 2025. | Church NewsroomToday, the Hill Cumorah is entering a new chapter. Since 2021, a long-term reforestation project has been underway to help visitors connect more deeply with the site’s historical and spiritual significance. Twenty-three buildings that supported the pageant—including restrooms, a costume shop, changing rooms, storage sheds, an RV park, and an industrial kitchen—have been removed, along with approximately 400,000 square feet of asphalt, gravel roads, and parking areas. Thousands of native trees have been planted, returning the hill to a landscape more reminiscent of the early 1800s, when Joseph Smith first saw it.
The visitors’ center, originally built in 2002, has also been renovated. Inside, guests will find new interactive exhibits, a film, and artwork that share the stories and messages of the hill. Three new statues depict a powerful scene from the Book of Mormon: the resurrected Jesus Christ visiting His people in the Americas. The self-guided experience allows visitors to explore the hill at their own pace, with many areas fully ADA accessible. Admission is free, and digital resources are available for those planning a visit.
Inside the renovated Hill Cumorah Visitors’ Center in Palmyra, New York, in July 2025. | Church NewsroomAs the Hill Cumorah Historic Site is rededicated this fall, it invites reflection on the sacred events that unfolded there, the enduring legacy of the Book of Mormon, and the ways that faith and devotion can transform lives. Whether attending in person or watching online, all are welcome to witness this moment of renewal and celebration at a place of profound spiritual significance.
An aerial view of the renovated Hill Cumorah Visitors’ Center in Palmyra, New York, in July 2025. | Church NewsroomFor more information, including a new digital exhibit and visiting details, explore the official website.
Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. She currently hosts the podcast “Single to the Glory” about singlehood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.
