Overnight International Flight

We will depart from Salt Lake City (or airport near you) to a connecting flight then to Tel Aviv. 

Tel Aviv - Israel 

When our flight arrives near Tel Aviv on Thursday, we will be met at the airport and will transfer to the hotel located at the beach in Tel Aviv.  After dinner, we will retire to our room for a restful night.  Overnight at the Metropolitan Hotel.

Herodium - Masada - Shepherd's Field - Jerome's Cove

We will have a lazy morning at the hotel [awaiting PCR test results]. We will take a stroll along the beach boardwalk of the Mediterranean Sea. In the distance we see historic Joppa atop a hill. It was here that Peter received a revelation that the time had come for the Gospel to be shared with all people, not just Jews. Below the town is the ancient sea port where Jonah avoided his destiny with Nineveh. A near death episode with a large fish refocused his efforts. At this same port, Orson Hyde landed to complete his prophetic role of dedicating the land for Return of the Jews to reclaim the land in preparation of the Lord’s return.  These amazing tales will be explained on board our bus.

In the afternoon we will journey to Bethlehem to remember the Sacred Birth of our Savior."

ANGELS PROCLAIM THE BIRTH OF THE SAVIOR"

Our journey takes us just outside Bethlehem to Herodium, once a royal palace. At this site we speak of Herod's deceitful conversation with the wise men as described by Matthew, and view a pasture area reminding us of the shepherds watching their flocks by night and hearing the angels' announcement. At our morning devotional, we will reflect on the glorious birth of the Savior in scripture and song. Nearby is the Grotto at Bethlehem.  Conditions permitting, we will visit Jerome's Cave, the birthplace of Jesus.

Qumran - Masada - Dead Sea - Jericho Olive Wood Factory - Bet Shemish - Jaffa - Tel Aviv

"A TIME FOR WORSHIP"

After a sacred moment in Jerome's cave beneath the Church of the Nativity, we journey to nearby BYU Jerusalem Center. Inside the chapel, overlooking the Temple Mount, we reflect on the birth of Jesus as we worship with BYU students. 

"QUMRAN"

At Qumran we see the remains of the Essene city.  These people followed strict behavioral and dietary habits that remind us of John the Baptist. They kept precise religious and secular records. When the invading Romans came, the Essenes hid their scrolls in the caves above then fled to Masada where they met their end.

  MIGHTY FORTRESSES--MASADA

Herod’s paranoia motivated him to build mountain-top fortresses for protection. He was fearful of revolution or invasion by Egyptians to dethrone him. These retreats were supplied with food and supplies to last for years if needed.  Herod was never over-thrown. He died soon after the birth of Jesus of what some say was social disease. Masada was used years later as a refuge for Zealots and Essenes fleeing the Roman. Here we discuss their final resistance before committing suicide.

DEAD SEA

We will visit the Dead Sea to float or play in the healing waters. Some may prefer a swim in the fresh water pool there. Also is a Camel to ride or photograph

DESERT PROPHETS THROUGH THE AGES PROPHECY OF JESUS BIRTH

As we continue along the Dead Sea we reflect on ancient desert prophets—the psalmist David, prophets Isaiah, Micah, and Nephi, each receiving visions of the Christ child.

OLD TESTAMENT SUPERHERO’S: DAVID THE SHEPHERD, SAMPSON AND LEHI

As we journey to Tel Aviv we discuss Jesus’ ancestral link to the great King David. Jesus’ love for David is reflected in His many recitations of the psalms of David, many of which are prophetic references to Jesus. At Bet Shemish we speak of nearby >valley of Elah. We remember David’s fight with Goliath which led to becoming King of Israel.In the nearby hills of Lehi (Hebrew for jawbone), we remember Samson’s encounters with the Philistines.>Close-by is Beit Lehi. In the Book of Mormon, Lehi (or Lord’s mouthpiece) is said to have lived here. We remember his sons being pursued by Laban into the wilderness. At Beit Lehi is an inscription calling on Jehovah (written in 600 B.C. script) to rescue them from destruction. Also inscribed on the wall of the cave are two boats perhaps linked to Nephi’s vision of their escape. Local Bedouins have a legend of a great prophet coming there to bless his people. We travel on to Tel Aviv and the Metropolitan Hotel. You may wish to stroll along the beach or swim. After dinner some may want to visit nearby Jaffa to discover, Simon Tanner, Jonah, Orson Hyde.  

Tel Aviv - Natanya Academic College - Caesarea - Haifa - Jezreel Valley - Mount Tabor - Sea of Galilee

"ELIJAH'S PROPHETIC ROLE: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE"

As we depart Tel Aviv we will discuss Peter’s lunchtime vision at the home of Simon the tanner. He was instructed by an angel that the time had come for the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles.

At Natanya Academic College we are reminded of Orson Hyde and others who came in the spirit of Elijah to bless the land. A plaque has been placed on various trees honoring each visiting restoration apostle and Church President. At Caesarea Peter explained his vision to the Roman centurion Cornelius that the gospel was now to go forth to all nations. We will see the amphitheater where the Tabernacle Choir has performed. Nearby is the Roman aqueduct Haifa we will discuss early LDS missionary activity. Orson Hyde was sent by Joseph Smith to dedicate this land for the return of Abraham’s children in preparation for the coming of the Lord. Mormon missionaries died while serving here in the 1890s and are buried nearby. From Haifa we see Mount Carmel and are reminded of Elijah’s impact on history—as a mighty Old Testament prophet, a forerunner to the Messiah, and a key figure in the restoration of the gospel in the latter days. As we cross the green fertile valley of Jezreel, we will discuss Elijah’s role as well as the prophecy of the great Second Coming and last battle of Armageddon.

"ELIJAH BESTOWS SEALING KEYS TO APOSTLES ANCIENT AND MODERN"

Jesus took Peter, James, and John to Mount Tabor, where they were visited on the holy mount by Elijah. According to President Spencer W. Kimball, this is where Jesus was transfigured and holy angels gave gospel keys to Peter, James, and John. Elijah bestowed upon them the sealing powers. In more recent times this same Elijah appeared with these same keys to be given to Joseph Smith in 1836, thus fulfilling the promise that Elijah would precede the great second coming of the Messiah. We will spend the night at the lakeside Kibbutz Ma’Agan on the Sea of Galilee. You may wish to swim in the pool or lake.

Nazareth Village • Yardenit • Magdala • Mount of Beatitudes • Chorazin 

JESUS’ EARLY LIFE IN THE VILLAGE OF NAZARETH  

Our morning drive brings us to Nazareth Village. Here we observe how Jesus may have lived, worked, and worshipped until age 30. Located here are an authentic ancient well and winepress from Jesus’ time.  He would have known this place. Also here are a reconstructed village olive press and a synagogue similar to one in which Jesus would have taught. We remember His statement of “treading the winepress alone.” Finally, we will see what a first-century family home may have been like, complete with a carpenter’s shop. 

JESUS’ MINISTRY IN GALILEE

Jesus’ ministry began shortly after His baptism by John in the river Jordan.  We visit Yardenit to visually recall this sacred event. Each day large groups of Christians are baptized. Next we follow the shoreline to Magdala, where there is a recently excavated synagogue where Jesus may have taught. Nearby on the Mount of Beatitudes Jesus called His twelve apostles and delivered His memorable Sermon on the Mount.  Here we will have a breathtaking view of the Sea of Galilee and the countryside Jesus loved. At Chorizin we remember Jesus’ harsh words for those who received God’s blessings then are slow to heed His counsel. At Nof Ginosar we see the remains of a fishing boat dating to the time of Jesus, then enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee before returning to Ma’Agan to spend a second night.

Kursi • Bethsaida• Capernaum • Sea of Galilee 

"LOAVES AND FISHES"

We will drive along the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee adjacent to the Golan Heights and stop at Kursi to reflect on Jesus’ experience there with the man possessing the demons of derangement.  Here Jesus healed him of his afflictions. As a sign, the swine became mad and cast themselves into the sea.  We will discuss the effects of this healing on the man, on his family, and the surprising community reaction. Next we pass by the ruins of Bethsaida, original home of Peter, Andrew, James, John, and others. Near here was the miracle of the loaves and fishes. At Capernaum we will visit the place called in scripture “Jesus’ own town.”  He lived here in the house of Peter for 19 months of His three-year ministry.  We will visit the seaside cove where He told Peter to cast his net on the other side of the boat.  After a miraculous catch, Jesus invited Peter, Andrew, James, and John to leave their nets and become fishers of men.  At the synagogue He preached His mighty sermons, including the “Bread of Life.” At the nearby home of Peter, He healed Peter’s mother-in-law and the man lowered through the roof by forgiving his sins.  Matthew then became converted and the centurion’s servant was healed. Next, we cross the sea by boat. We spend another restful night at Ma' Agan. 

Jordan River Valley •  Beit Shean • Gan Hashlosha  • Jericho    Authentic Bedouin Tent Lunch  • Dead Sea • Jerusalem

PARADISE IN THE DESERT

As we drive southward we stop at Beit Shean. This is perhaps the most beautiful of ancient ruins. We speak of ancient prophets and the many civilizations here. Next we visit Gan Hashlosha’s natural pools and waterfalls, then drive to Jerusalem, we will check in to the Gloria Hotel for the rest of our nights in Israel. 

Mount Moriah • Western (Wailing) Wall • Ophel (Temple Gates and Steps)  • City of David • Hezekiah’s Tunnel • Pool of Siloam • Gethsemane

FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS: FROM TRIUMPHAL ENTRY TO GETHSEMANE

We begin our day at the Dome of the Rock mosque on Mount Moriah, where Herod’s temple once stood. At an altar near the Dome of the Rock, a sacrifice was made for Jesus when He was 40 days old. Solomon’s Porch in the Temple Courtyard is where Jesus and His apostles taught and blessed the people. Next we will walk to the Western (Wailing) Wall to observe Jewish worshippers, some celebrating their bar mitzvahs. Here we will talk about Jesus’ similar experience at age 12 when He was found teaching the priests. We will discuss other wonderful things Jesus said and did at various times throughout His life and the mixed response He received by those in attendance. Next we will enter the Ophel to see excavations showing where people prepared for temple worship (immersion pools, money changers, dove and lamb merchants). Here we will tell of Jesus’ cleansing the temple.  Then while seated on the 2,000-year-old steps to Herod’s temple, we will recount the stories of Jesus’ encounter with the priests inside the temple.   Those who wish to return to the hotel will depart while others will walk down to the City of David, where we’ll take an exciting walk through the waters of Hezekiah’s Tunnel to the Pool of Siloam. There we will discuss the healing of the man born blind. We will reflect on scriptures about the last supper Jesus had with His disciples.  To end the day, we will bus across the Kidron Valley to Gethsemane to hear the scriptural accounts of Jesus’ prayers, suffering and betrayal. After dinner we all gather in an upper-room setting to learn more about Passover and last supper.

St. Peter’s in Gallicantu (Caiaphas’ Palace) • Model City and Israel Museum • Citadel (Herod’s Palace) • Church of the Holy Sepulcher • Golgotha • Garden Tomb 

FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS: TRIALS TO THE CROSS TO RESURRECTION

First we will visit St. Peter’s in Gallicantu (Caiaphas’ Palace), where Jesus was tried after His arrest in Gethsemane. On the ancient steps leading to the palace, Peter denied Jesus three times as the cock crowed.  We will then bus to the Model City at the Israel Museum. This large replica of Jerusalem gives a strong visual of the city as Jesus knew it. Next is the Citadel (Herod’s Palace) where we will read of Herod’s interrogation of Jesus, and His Roman trial before Pilate where he attempted to “wash his hands” of the blood of Christ. After the Citadel, we follow the original Via Delarosa through the Christian Quarter bazaar to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, then continue walking through the Old City to the Ecce Homo Convent to see the Lithostrats said to be where Jesus was flogged and robed before going through the Damascus Gate to Calvary. Next at the Garden Tomb. Near the skull-shaped rock at Golgotha, where crucifixions occurred, we’ll discuss Jesus’ final hours.  We will walk a short distance along a pathway lined with beautiful foliage to the peaceful Garden Tomb, which our prophets have identified as the place of Jesus’ burial and resurrection. We will take time for hymns and reflection on the atoning love of the Savior. We return to the hotel by bus for dinner. 

Garden Tomb • BYU Jerusalem Center 

WORSHIP SERVICE ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES

We begin our day by revisiting the lovely Garden Tomb for some quiet spiritual reflection on his glorious resurrection. In 1972 President Harold B. Lee met here with the BYU Study Abroad students and local saints to organize the Jerusalem Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  From this experience the brethren later designated Saturday as the LDS day of worship in Israel.  Nearby we will worship at a sacrament meeting with students at the BYU Jerusalem Center. Free time will follow for resting, shopping, or visiting additional sites.  Return to the hotel for dinner and continue on to the airport for our midnight flight back to the U.S.

Airport - Midnight Flight Home

To Book This Tour, Contact:

Carol Alegre, Tour Manager
Tel: (801) 483-6165
Email Carol

TOUR CODE - 9222E18