Great Bend in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Joseph Smith

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 28, 2015

1. Joseph Smith Marker

Inscription. Founder of Mormonism, once lived a few miles east of here prior to 1830. Much of the translation of the "Golden Plates" for the Book of Mormon is said to have been done there. Site now owned by the Church of Latter Day Saints.

Erected 1947 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 41° 57.953′ N, 75° 44.439′ W. Marker is in Great Bend, Pennsylvania, in Susquehanna County. It is on Lackawanna Trail (US 11). The marker is near I-81, Exit 230. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Great Bend PA 18821, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War II Honored Dead (approx. 0.2 miles away); World War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); SSG Larry R. Barnard, U.S. Army (approx. 0.6 miles away); War Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Freedom Memorial Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); SPC William "Billy" Evans Memorial Park (approx. 0.6 miles away).

Also see . . .

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Joseph Smith Jr., First President of the Church. (Submitted on December 30, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 28, 2015

2. Joseph Smith Marker

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 28, 2015

3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Aaronic Priesthood Restoration Site located on PA 171, Oakland PA GPS Coordinates N41.9516 W75.6371

Priesthood Restoration Site-Church Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 28, 2015

4. Priesthood Restoration Site-Church Building

Statues located on the Priesthood Restoration Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 28, 2015

5. Statues located on the Priesthood Restoration Site

Close up of the statue on the left image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 28, 2015

6. Close up of the statue on the left

Close up of the statue on the right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 28, 2015

7. Close up of the statue on the right

Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 958 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 5, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.