US Home Cities to Boston, MA

We depart our home cities this morning for iconic Boston, MA.  Upon arrival we depart to our hotel and welcome dinner in Danvers, MA.

Topsfield, MA/Turnbridge, VT /Sharon, VT/Rutland, VT

This morning, we will visit the boyhood home site of Joseph Smith Sr. and his ancestor’s burial site in Topsfield, MA (D&C 111). We will then turn our bus northward towards New England where we will view many fall colors in full array. At Turnbridge, VT we will visit the place where Joseph Smith courted Lucy Mack and asked for her hand in marriage, and where they began their family (JSH 4-5). Next, we will visit the birthplace of the Smiths' fifth child Joseph Smith Jr., the future prophet of the restoration (JSH 3). As we travel towards Rutland, VT, the birthplace of Oliver Cowdery (D&C 5-9; 13; 110), the bus will meander through the scenic byway along route 4 and the Ottauquechee River.

Ticonderoga, VT/Bolton, NY/Palmyra, NY

First up this morning will be a visit to the historic Fort Ticonderoga situated in the picturesque Green Mountains of Vermont, overlooking Lake Champlain. Then, as we make our way traveling towards Palmyra, NY we will pass through the lands of the American author James Fenimore Copper—the land of the Mohicans. We will stop in Bolton, NY the home of John and Elizabeth Tanner, early converts to the Church (D&C 79). Traveling westward towards Palmyra our carriage will follow parts of what was known as the "Clinton's Big Ditch" in the 19th century—also known as the Erie Canal.

Palmyra, NY/ Nineveh, NY/Afton, NY//Binghamton, PA

Our day begins with an early morning walk through the Sacred Grove where we can remember and reflect upon the miraculous events which took place there (JSH 1-26; D&C 1). Next, we visit the restored Joseph Smith Sr. home and farm, including the recreated log home where the angel Moroni first appeared (D&C 2) to young Joseph (JSH 27-75). At our next stop, we will climb the iconic Hill Cumorah and tour the Hill Cumorah Visitor’s Center (JSH 51). After lunch, we will visit the E. B. Grandin Building, on Palmyra’s Main Street, where the Book of Mormon was first printed and sold (D&C 19). We will then walk 2 short blocks to the nearby grave site of Alvin Smith, Joseph’s eldest brother (JSH 55-56). Followed by a visit to Martin Harris’s farm. Leaving Palmyra the bus will take up to what was called Colesville, NY in the time of Joseph Smith, where the first branch of the Church was organized (D&C 12, 48, 54, 57-62), and the first miracle of the newly organized Church occurred. Our stop for the day will be at Afton, NY where Joseph Smith and Emma Hale were married. 

Susquehanna, PA/Ithaca, NY/Fayette, NY/Niagara Falls, NY

This morning, we will visit the Priesthood Restoration site in Susquehanna County, PA. to see the new LDS Visitor’s Center and meetinghouse, and the masterfully reconstructed homes of Joseph and Emma Smith (JSH 66-75; D&C 3, 10; 4-18, 25) and Isaac and Elizabeth Hale. We will walk through the quiet woods where John the Baptist restored the Aaronic Priesthood (D&C 13) and visit the baptismal site on the banks of the Susquehanna River (D&C 27, 128) where Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were baptized. The bus will then travel through rural New York passing through Ithaca, NY, the home of Cornell University, that sets on the edge of beautiful Lake Cayuga, one of the five Finger Lakes. Situated between two of the finger lakes we will conclude our day of sacred sites by visiting the Peter Whitmer Farm in Fayette, NY (D&C 14-18; 28-40), where the Book of Mormon translation was completed (D&C 128) and where The Church of Jesus Christ was organized on April 6, 1830 (D&C 18, 20, 21). The bus will then beeline to Niagara Falls, NY for an overnight stay.  

Niagara Falls, NY/Lockport, NY/Mentor, OH

This morning, we visit America’s oldest state park—Niagara Falls. We will board the Maid of the Mist boat which passes directly in front of the American side falls, before entering the Horseshoe Basin. This is always a very memorable experience! Then we are off to Lockport, NY to cruise the Erie Canal and experience going through the oldest locks along the canal (D&C 61, 62). Next up is Kirkland, OH but before checking into our hotel we will visit the outside of the new acquired Kirtland Temple (D&C 88, 109, 110) and walk through the grounds and Kirtland Temple Cemetery (D&C 117). 

Kirtland, OH/Mentor, OH

Following Sacrament meeting we will stop by the Isaac Morley Farm (D&C 45-56) and have a picnic lunch while recalling the success the Lamanite Missionaries (D&C 27, 32, 33) had preaching the gospel and where Emma Smith gave birth to twins (D&C 45-56). We will spend the afternoon visiting the inside of the Kirtland Temple (D&C 109, 110, 137) and the beautifully restored Kirtland village – which includes the LDS Visitor’s Center, the Joseph and Emma Smith Home, the Newel K. Whitney Home (D&C 41-44) and Store (D&C 70-112), the John Johnson Inn (D&C 96), and the sawmill and ashery (D&C 82-83) – which played significant roles in the building of the temple. 

Mantua Corners, OH/Hiram, OH/Mesopotamia, OH/Burton, OH/Mentor, OH

Next, we travel to Mantua Corners and visit the Methodist Church where Sidney Rigdon preached. Then onto Hiram, Ohio, to the John Johnson Farm. It was here that Joseph Smith completed the new translation of the Bible (D&C 1, 67-69, 133), received the vision of the three degrees of glory (D&C 76, 88, 93) and was tarred and feathered by a local, minister-led mob (D&C 84). We will then visit an Amish town, Mesopotamia, OH, and The General Commons Amish store. Followed by a unique cultural experience as we join an Amish family at their farm for dinner.

Cleveland Airport/Kansas City/Independence. Mo/Liberty, MO

This morning, we depart for the Cleveland Airport to fly to Kansas City, Missouri. Upon our arrival we will drive to Independence to see the Jackson County Visitor Center, the temple lot (D&C 57), and other important sites in the town of Independence related to the settlement by the Saints (D&C 52-56) and challenges faced by the members in Missouri (D&C 58-60; 82-83; 102-105). We will then drive north to Liberty, MO and visit the Liberty Jail (D&C 121-123) where the Prophet Joseph and his faithful companions were unjustly and illegally incarcerated for several months while the saints suffered severe persecution from the mobs in Missouri. 

Far West, MO/Haun’s Mill/Adam-Ondi-Ahman/Nauvoo, IL

We begin our day by traveling to Far West, MO (D&C 113-120) to see the dedicated temple site and review the many historical events that occurred here before the saints were threatened with extermination and forced to leave the state of Missouri. Our next stops will be at the deeply-sobering site of Haun’s Mill, and then at Adam-Ondi-Ahman (D&C 116) – a place made holy because of what happened, AND by what WILL happen at this sacred location.  We then continue our drive to Nauvoo, Illinois. Before we check into our hotel, we will drive by the Nauvoo temple (D&C 124) and orient you to the layout of Nauvoo (D&C 124).

Nauvoo, IL

This morning we will visit the recently acquired Joseph Smith homestead, the Nauvoo House (D&C 124), the Mansion House, and the Red Brick Store. We will also visit the graves in the Smith Family Cemetery. After lunch, there will be free time to browse through many of the restored homes and buildings in “Old Nauvoo”, including the homes of Brigham Young (D&C 125), John Taylor, Heber C. Kimball, Lucy Mack Smith, and the Jonathan Browning Gun Shop to name just a few. Also, you can meet some of the hardworking animals that helped build Nauvoo as a “cornerstone of Zion,” by scheduling a ride in a horse-drawn wagon or carriage. Or take a wagon ride in oxen-drawn cart.st. 

Nauvoo, IL

Our day begins with an optional temple session at the Nauvoo Temple (Subject to temple availability). Later in morning we will join the missionaries and tour homes of those who associated with the building of the temple. After lunch we will visit the Pioneer Cemetery (D&C 42) and other Nauvoo sites of historical significance such as the Sarah Granger Kimball home followed by a visit to the West Grove, where Joseph Smith gave his last public address the “King Follett Discourse.” Once again there will be free time to continue exploring the homes and shops of “Old Historic Nauvoo. This evening we will have a farewell dinner and celebrate all we have felt and learned and rejoice in our new friendships with one another. After dinner we walk the “Trail of Hope” and read excerpts from the diaries/journals of the saints as they reflected on their experiences of being driven out of Nauvoo (D&C 136).

Carthage, IL/St. Louis MO Lambert International Airport/Home

Today we travel to Carthage, Illinois Visitor’s Center to commemorate the life of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. We will tour the jail itself where the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were imprisoned and brutally martyred. We then travel to St. Louis, MO. for our late afternoon flight home.