Home City/Rochester, NY/Palmyra

We depart our home cities this morning for Palmyra, NY and get acquainted over dinner as we look forward to the trip ahead. 

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 young Joseph. Next we stop at the E. B. Grandin Building where the Book of Mormon was printed, then on to the grave site of Alvin Smith, Joseph’s eldest brother. After lunch we visit the Hill Cumorah and Visitor’s Center, then Fayette, NY to the Peter Whitmer Farm where the church was organized on April 6, 1830. 

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

Today 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. 

Kirtland

Following Sacrament meeting we see the Temple Quarry and have a picnic lunch. Next, we spend time visiting the Morley Farm, the Kirtland Temple, and the historic Kirtland village. These sites include the LDS Visitor’s Center, Whitney Home and Store, Johnson Inn, Ashery, and Sawmill.  Our last stop will be in Hiram, OH visiting the John Johnson Farm where Joseph Smith received the three degrees of glory vision.

Kirtland/Kansas City/Independence

This morning we depart for the Cleveland Airport to fly to Kansas City.  Upon arrival we drive to Independence to see the temple site. We then drive to Liberty and visit the Liberty Jail where the Prophet Joseph spent several months while the Saints suffered severe persecution in Missouri. 

Far West/Adam-Ondi-Ahman/Nauvoo

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

Nauvoo

This morning we visit Joseph Smith’s homestead, the grave sites of Joseph, Emma, and Hyrum, the Mansion House, and the Red Brick Store. This afternoon we 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 to name a few.  

Nauvoo/Carthage

Our day begins with an optional temple session at the Nauvoo Temple. (Subject to temple schedule), then we visit the Pioneer Cemetery. This afternoon we travel the old road to Carthage to view a production of the “Life of the Prophet Joseph Smith” at the Visitor’s Center. Next, we tour the jail itself where the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum were martyred. After an early dinner, we walk the “Trail of Hope” and read excerpts from personal diaries of the Saints. 

Nauvoo/Hannibal/St. Louis Airport/Home

We continue on to Mark Twain's Hannibal on the Mississippi River for a luncheon cruise on a riverboat.  Following lunch, we'll depart for St. Louis, MO for our late afternoon flight home.