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 see the grave site 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 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

We start our day at the Morley Farm.  Next we visit the Kirkland Temple where The Lord Himself appeared as did Moses, Elias, Elijah, and numerous other angels.  Then we see the Temple Quarry and have a picnic lunch. Next we visit the historic Kirtland village including the LDS Visitors Center, the Whitney Home and Store, the Johnson Inn, the Ashery, and Sawmill.  Our last stop will be in Hiram, OH at the John Johnson Farm where Joseph Smith received the vision of the three degrees of glory.

Kirtland/St. Louis/Nauvoo

Early this morning we depart for the Cleveland airport for our flight to St. Louis, MO.  Upon arrival we travel by motorcoach to Nauvoo. The Nauvoo Country Fair is a favorite activity for 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. Accommodations for three nights at the Quality Inn. 

Nauvoo 

Following Sacrament meeting and lunch we visit the LDS visitor’s center and the Monument to Women Memorial Garden. 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.

Nauvoo

Our day begins with an optional temple session at the Nauvoo Temple. (Temple session is subject to temple schedule and availability.)  Following lunch we visit 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. 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 attached them in Carthage Jail. Following lunch, we depart for St. Louis, MO for our late afternoon flight home.