For Christians, the Christmas holiday is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. In South Royalton, Vt., the birth of another man is memorialized year-round. "Joseph was born on this site, December 23rd, 1805," said Elder Brian Schuck, the memorial director.
Joseph Smith was born in a small farmhouse where a stone plaque now rests. A few feet away, a granite monument towers over the hillside to pay tribute to Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-- commonly known as the Mormon Church.