2025 Church History Discovery Tour with Kay Godfrey

Dates July 15 - 26, 2025
Destination Boston, MA; Sharon, VT; West Lebanon, NH; Fayette, NY; Palmyra, NY; Kirtland, OH; Kansas City, MO Independence, MO: Adam-ondi-Ahman Nauvoo, IL; Carthage, IL; St. Louis, MO;
Duration 12 days 11 nights
Price From N/A
Printable Flyer

Religious Focus:

Sightseeing:

Activity Level:

Walking Level:


Join Morris Murdock Escorted Tours and historian Kay Godfrey as history unfolds before you in a way that will profoundly enhance your love and testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Through captivating stories, heartfelt narratives, and the rich tapestry of experiences of those that came before us, you will gain a renewed appreciation for the profound sacrifices and revelations that have defined our faith. 

Throughout this tour, Kay will navigate us through sacred sites, historical landmarks. The highlights of the tour are the sacred birthplace of Joseph Smith, the new Priesthood Restoration site, Sacred Grove, Joseph Smith farm, historic Kirtland village, the Kirtland temple, Independence, Liberty Jail, Far West, historic Nauvoo, and the Nauvoo temple and more.  

Please join Kay, as this is more than just a tour, it’s a profound opportunity to connect with our roots and deepen our understanding of the incredible legacy of our faith. It’s a tour you don’t want to miss! 

*Please note that while the physical activity on this tour (walking distances) is not significant, the days are full of touring from breakfast to dinner time with "down-time" only in the evening.

Tour ID #9225G15

To book this tour contact your favorite Morris Columbus Travel Advisor or the Group Tour Manager listed below:

Sarah Wangsgard, Tour Manager
Tel: (801) 483-6473
Email - swangsgard@morrismurdock.com

Day 1: Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Day 1: Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Arrive Boston - Danvers

Our adventure starts as we board our flight into Boston. Upon arriving at the airport, we'll connect with our fellow tour members before boarding our comfortable motor coach. From there, we’ll set off towards our hotel in Danvers, Massachusetts.

Day 2: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Day 2: Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Danvers - Sharon VT - West Lebanon 

We depart this morning from Danvers for Sharon, Vermont - birthplace of the Prophet Joseph Smith. We will pass some historical sites along the way. At Sharon, we will stop and enjoy the peaceful woods and grounds and go to the Visitor Center, which is located on the site of Joseph's birth.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Thursday, July 17, 2025
Day 3: Thursday, July 17, 2025

West Lebanon, NH – Colesville, NY – Binghamton,NY.

This morning we will drive to Binghamton, NY with a stop at the Colesville Restoration Site. The Colesville Branch which was one of the first branches of the church was established in this area in 1830 when about 85 people were baptized. Records indicate that 62 of these people were part of the Joseph and Polly (Peck) Knight families. The Knight and Peck families were true friends to the prophet and very devoted to serving the Lord; they sacrificed much and consecrated themselves to the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. Josiah Stowell employed Joseph and even sold part of his farm to help publish the Book of Mormon.

Meals : Breakfast
Day 4: Friday, July 18, 2025
Day 4: Friday, July 18, 2025

Priesthood Restoration Site, PA – Fayette, NY – Palmyra, NY

This morning we will visit the Priesthood Restoration site in Susquehanna County, PA. We see the visitor’s center, the reconstructed homes of Joseph and Emma Smith and Isaac and Elizabeth Hale, the woods where John the Baptist restored the priesthood, and the baptismal site at the Susquehanna River. We will then visit the town where the Church was organized in 1830, Fayette, NY, before continuing on to Macedon, NY which is near the Hill Cumorah. 

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Saturday, July 19, 2025
Day 5: Saturday, July 19, 2025

Palmyra, NY

This morning we will spend time in the Sacred Grove and reflect on the special events that have taken place there. We will visit Joseph Smith Seniors home, the Grandin Printing complex where the first Book of Mormon was printed and the Hill Cumorah.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6: Sunday, July 20, 2025
Day 6: Sunday, July 20, 2025

Kirtland, OH

This morning we will make our way to Kirtland OH, where we will visit the Morley Farm and the historic Kirtland village including the Church’s Visitor Center, Whitney Home and store, Ashery and sawmill. After, we will get to visit the Church’s first temple in Kirtland. Next, we tour the newly restored Joseph Smith home. 

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Monday, July 21, 2025
Day 7: Monday, July 21, 2025

Kirtland, Kansas City and Independence

Today we leave Kirtland and transfer to the Cleveland airport for our flight to Kansas City to start the second half of the church history section of our tour. Upon arrival, we will go the LDS Visitors Center in Independence near the temple site in Jackson County. We will then make our way to the hotel for the evening.  

Meals : Breakfast
Day 8: Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Day 8: Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Liberty Jail, Richmond sites 

This morning we visit the Eight Witness Monument and continue onto Liberty Jail, where, during the winter of 1838-29, Joseph Smith was imprisoned. After lunch (lunch on your own) some of the highlights will be Rush Creek, Big and Little Fishing River Miracle, David Whitmer's Home, Richmond Jail, Vacant Log House, Three Witness Monument, Mound Grove Cemetery and Missouri River Crossing.

Meals : Breakfast
Day 9: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Day 9: Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Far West – Adam-ondi-Ahman - Nauvoo

We begin our day by traveling to Far West to see the sight of the temple and discuss the historic events that occurred here before the Saints were forced to leave Missouri. Our next stop is Adam-Ondi Ahman to see where Adam and Eve lived after the Garden of Eden and then we'll continue on our scenic drive to Nauvoo. 

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Thursday, July 24, 2025
Day 10: Thursday, July 24, 2025

Nauvoo

Today we will truly discover the Nauvoo of the early Saints as you explore the restored buildings of Old Nauvoo. We'll visit Joseph Smith's Mansion House, Nauvoo House and Homestead, and other LDS sites like the Seventies Hall, Times and Seasons Office, and the Browning Gun and Blacksmith Shops. We'll marvel at the Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff and Heber C. Kimball homes, as well as the LDS Visitors' Center and Gardens with the many statues honoring women. We will enjoy an incredible buffet dinner at the Nauvoo Restaurant and then enjoy the Joseph Smith Pageant.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Friday, July 25, 2025
Day 11: Friday, July 25, 2025

Nauvoo – Carthage 

Our day begins with an early morning opportunity to serve at the Nauvoo Temple (attendance at the Temple is optional). Afterwards we will head back to the hotel and change clothes. We will make our way to Carthage Jail and pay tribute to Joseph and Hyrum as we recount the martyrdom. After Carthage we will go and visit the stone quarry and Pioneer Cemetery. Tonight, we will gather back together for dinner, we will get to see the British church history Pageant "Truth Will Prevail" (2025 schedule still pending).

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Day 12: Saturday, July 26, 2025

Nauvoo, Hannibal and St. Louis

As we say farewell to Nauvoo, we continue on to Hannibal, MO to enjoy a little Huckleberry Finn on the Mississippi River, including lunch on a Riverboat. We will finish our touring by heading to the St. Louis airport for our flights home.  

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

Highlights of the Tour:

  • 1 tour-bus experience for the whole tour!
  • Morris Murdock LDS tour Director/Historian for the whole trip along with local guides
  • Licensed, insured, and bonded travel agency with 60 years of experience!! IT MATTERS!

Price includes:

  • 1 tour-bus experience for the whole tour
  • 11 nights of hotel accommodations
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary
  • Sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary
  • Deluxe air-conditioned motor coach transportation
  • Group transfers
  • The flight between Cleveland and Kansas City
  • Taxes & fees on included services
  • Meal gratuities that are included as part of the tour
  • Tour audio sound system provided
  • Document Package

Price does not include:

  • Airfare
  • Additional transfers when not arriving or departing with the group
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Trip cancellation and baggage insurance
  • Checked baggage fees
  • Bus Driver and Historian gratuities

Pricing Options:

  • Double Occupancy: $2929 per person (2 people sharing a room)
  • Triple Occupancy: $2669 per person (3 people sharing a room)
  • Quad Occupancy: $2519 per person (4 people sharing a room)
  • Single Occupancy: $3899 (private room)

Payment Terms:

  • $250 per person due at booking time
  • Final payment due May 1st, 2025
  • A CASH DISCOUNT of $75 per person is available! Please inquire for more details!
  • A minimum number of 30 passengers is needed for this tour to depart
  • Read our Terms & Conditions here!