Home City / Rochester, NY / Palmyra

We depart this morning for Palmyra, NY and get acquainted over dinner as we look forward to the trip ahead. Accommodations for three nights at the Woodcliff Hotel.

Palmyra/Fayette

This morning we visit the Sacred Grove and reflect on the special events that took place here. Next, we see the restored Joseph Smith Sr. home and farm, including the cabin where Moroni first appeared to Joseph Smith. Our next stop is the E. B. Grandin Building where the Book of Mormon was printed, then we see the grave site of Alvin Smith, eldest brother of Joseph Smith. After lunch we travel to Fayette, NY to the Peter Whitmer Farm where the church was organized on April 6, 1830. Tonight we visit the Hill Cumorah and Visitor’s Center, and then the Hill Cumorah Pageant.

Susquehanna, PA/Palmyra

Today we will visit the Priesthood Restoration site in Susquehanna County, PA. We will see the new visitor’s center and meetinghouse, the reconstructed homes of Joseph and Emma Smith and Isaac and Elizabeth Hale, the woods where John the Baptist restored the priesthood, the baptismal site at the Susquehanna River, and the new statuary.  

Palmyra/Niagara Falls/Kirtland

This morning we visit the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House.  Now on exhibit are highlights of Susan B. Anthony’s life, including early influences, the many reforms she championed (suffrage, abolition, temperance, and education), her friendship with Frederick Douglass, and her trial for voting in 1872. Next we journey to Niagara Falls, America’s oldest state park. We board the Maid of the Mist boat, which passes directly in front of the falls and enters Horseshoe Basin. This is a not to be missed activity!  After free time for lunch, we travel to Kirtland, OH. Accommodations for two nights at the Four Points Hotel

Kirtland

Following Sacrament meeting, we visit the Morley Farm. Then we see the Temple Quarry and have a picnic lunch. Next, we visit the Kirkland Temple where The Lord Himself appeared, as did Moses, Elias, Elijah, and numerous other angels. Next, we visit the historic Kirtland village including the LDS Visitors Center, the Whitney Home and Store, the Johnson Inn, the Ashery, and Sawmill.  

Kirtland/St. Louis/Nauvoo

Early this morning we travel to Hiram, OH to visit the John Johnson Farm. Here is where Joseph Smith received the vision of the three degrees of glory. Next, we depart for the Cleveland airport for our flight to St. Louis, MO.  Upon arrival, we travel by motorcoach to Nauvoo. Our first stop in Nauvoo will be the visitor's center to get acquainted with the layout of Nauvoo and see the Monument to Women Memorial Garden. Accommodations for three nights at the Quality Inn.

Nauvoo 

We start our day visiting the Community of Christ sites that include Joseph Smith’s homestead, grave sites of Joseph, Emma, and Hyrum, the Mansion House, and the Red Brick Store. We have the rest of the afternoon to browse through the many restored homes and buildings in “Old Nauvoo”, including the homes of Brigham Young, John Taylor, Heber C. Kimball, Lucy Mack Smith, and the Jonathan Browning Gun Shop. This evening we go to the Nauvoo Country Fair.  This is a favorite activity for the young and young at heart. Guests enjoy 20 different 1840's style games and activities hosted by family cast members dressed in period costumes.  After the fair, we see the Nauvoo Pageant.  This pageant is narrated by Parley P. Pratt and emphasizes the prophetic mission of Joseph Smith and honors the sacrifice, faith and courage of the Saints who gave their all to build a city and a temple to their God. 

Nauvoo

Our day begins with an optional temple session at the Nauvoo Temple. (Temple session is subject to temple schedule and availability.) The rest of the afternoon will be free time to continue exploring historic Nauvoo. After dinner we walk the “Trail of Hope” and read excerpts from personal diaries of the Saints.

Carthage/St. Louis Airport/Home

This morning we travel the old road to Carthage, IL.  On June 27, 1844, the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were martyred – killed by a mob that attacked them in Carthage Jail. Following lunch, we depart for St. Louis, MO for our late afternoon flight home.