Church History Tour

Wednesday, July 14^th – Our morning flight will take us to Rochester, New York.  On the way to the hotel we will have a nice welcome dinner.  Our comfortable accommodations are at the Hampton Inn. (dinner included)

Thursday, July 15^th – After breakfast this morning, we’ll begin our visit to the historical sites in the area.  We’ll begin with a visit to the Joseph Smith Sr. home and farm, including the restored log cabin where Moroni first appeared to Joseph Smith.  We’ll also have time at the Hill Cumorah Visitors’ Center, as well as time to visit the Sacred Grove, where we can reflect on the special events that have taken place there.  (breakfast & dinner include)

Friday, July 16^th – Today we’ll begin our tour with a drive  to Fayette, NY, and visit the Peter Whitmer Farm.  Here in Fayette, the Church was officially organized in the home of Peter Whitmer.  It was also in Fayette that the Three Witnesses saw the angel and the plates, some of the Book of Mormon was translated, and Joseph Smith worked on the inspired translation of the Bible.  This afternoon we will enjoy a delightful lunch at the Belhurst Castle located on Lake Seneca.  We will wind down our day with a visit to the Grandin Press (where the Book of Mormon was first published), a drive past the Martin Harris Farm, and a visit to the Swift Cemetery in Palmyra.  (breakfast & lunch included)

Saturday, July 17^th – This morning is free to relax at the hotel, or you may attend the Palmyra temple (Subject to temples reopening for temple work).   Midday we will travel west for about 90 minutes to Niagara Falls, New York (passports are not needed). 

We have included a boat ride on the exciting Maid of the Mist which takes us to the face of the world’s most impressive waterfall and also enters the Horseshoe Basin.  You’ll have free time to stroll around and visit Luna Island. Luna Island is a small projection of land on the north side of Goat Island, on the Niagara River, and is situated within 3 feet of the American Falls on one side, and Bridal Veil Falls on the other, with the skyline of Niagara Falls, Canada in front of you.  We will make our way to Erie, Pennsylvania for hotel this evening.  (breakfast included)

Sunday, July 18^th –   After breakfast we attend a local congregation for Sacrament meeting before traveling to Kirtland, Ohio.  Here we will be visiting the historical sites in the area.  We will visit the Kirtland Temple and learn about the appearance of the Savior to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.  Moses, Elias, and Elijah also appeared and restored the Keys of the Priesthood.  We will visit the historic village of Kirtland, where we will see the Visitors’ Center, the Newell K. Whitney home (where Joseph and Emma lived) and the Newell K. Whitney store (which included the School of the Prophets and where many revelations, including the Word of Wisdom, were received).   We’ll also have time to visit the Kirtland Ashery and the water-powered sawmill.  What a great day!  (breakfast included)

Monday, July 19^th – We’ll start the day with a visit to the Isaac Morley Farm.  Isaac Morley joined the Church in Kirtland in November 1830 and was one of the first converts of the area.  His farm served as the principle gathering place of the Saints in Kirtland after the revelation for the Saints to gather to the Ohio as was given in Doctrine & Covenants Section 37.  Also, while living on the Morley Farm, Joseph and Emma had twins who passed away shortly after being born.                                                                                                                                                                  

We will then travel to the John Johnson farm.  This homestead served as headquarters for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for nearly a year, from September 1831 to September 1832. Important conferences were held there. Moreover, in an upper room of the house, perhaps sixteen revelations now in the Doctrine and Covenants were received. These include Doctrine and Covenants section 1, the Preface, and section 76, the vision of the three degrees of glory.  It was here at the John Johnson Farm that the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon were dragged from the house and tarred and feathered on March 24, 1832.    We will conclude our enriching tour and travel to the Cleveland, Ohio airport for our flight home.  (breakfast and box lunch included)