We’ve just returned from an incredible adventure — one that took us trekking through the lands of the New Testament Apostles, across the sacred landscapes of Turkey, Greece, and Rome. It was a journey rich with history, faith, and unforgettable moments. Among all the highlights, there’s one experience in Cappadocia I wanted to share with you.
As we explored the ancient caves, hollowed out by the faithful hands of early Christians, walked the stone-lined streets of Ancient Ephesus and Corinth, climbed the Acropolis to look down upon Mars Hill, and stood in awe of Ancient Rome’s enduring monuments, I found my thoughts returning again and again to those remarkable Saints of centuries past who gave everything for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Acts 2 tells us of the Cappadocians who stood in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, hearing the Gospel preached in their own language as the Holy Spirit was poured out. Can you imagine the ripple effect of that moment? One-by-one, hearts changed, families transformed, congregations inspired, and communities reshaped. The Apostles, from Jerusalem to the farthest reaches of the known world, carried a message of hope that altered history — one conversion, one testimony, one disciple at a time.
As we stood in those places this past April, I was filled with profound gratitude for those early believers. They lived, sacrificed, and died to share a message of hope and redemption. And looking around at our tour group, I realized something beautiful: we are the fulfillment of their hopes — modern disciples, men and women willing to walk both literally and figuratively in their footsteps.
It’s a joy to travel with people who not only care for one another, but for the legacy of faith that binds us to the past. Every tour like this strengthens that sacred connection — a shared experience of history, testimony, and discipleship.
I pay tribute to those ancient Saints, and to the remarkable modern Saints I’m privileged to meet and travel with on these extraordinary journeys. To walk where they walked is humbling, to feel what they felt is inspiring, and to follow in their footsteps is a blessing beyond words.
If you’ve ever dreamed of joining us on a tour like this, I invite you to come. Not just to see the sites, but to walk the path of discipleship in some of the most sacred places on earth — and to become part of a travel family unlike any other.
Tim Taggart has been a pioneer in LDS travel pretty much from the beginning of the industry, traveling to the lands of the scriptures in the Middle East and Europe the first time in 1981 and conducting tours since 1983.
He was born and grew up in Cache Valley, Utah and served his first mission in Australia. He received a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Utah State University with a career goal to become a master teacher'. He began his teaching career in the LDS Church seminary program, completing a master's degree in instructional technology from USU at the same time. His teaching career changed course in 1982 when he and the family came to Salt Lake City to work for the Church producing media. The new focus was to teach through the technology of visual and audio media to a worldwide audience.
We’ve just returned from an incredible adventure — one that took us trekking through the lands of the New Testament Apostles, across the sacred landscapes of Turkey, Greece, and Rome. It was a journey rich with history, faith, and unforgettable