Dann Hone
Dann W Hone has nearly 55 years of travel to the Near East and is one of the founding members of the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. He held virtually every position at the Jerusalem Center, including Academic Coordinator where he was responsible for training and teaching all Jerusalem Center faculty in history, archaeology, geography, and scriptures. His studies include 13 modern and ancient languages and scripts. Dann lived in Israel for many years and received his graduate degree in Biblical History/Historical Geography from the Jerusalem University College.
Craig Ostler
Dr. Craig James Ostler and his wife, Sandy, have a special love for sharing sacred and meaningful sites with fellow travelers. They help others to feel the power of being on site as they read, study, and ponder the scriptures on their tours. Participants return home with increased appreciation and understanding of the lives of the Savior, prophets, apostles, and every-day people, ancient and modern. Dr. Ostler has been a religious educator for more than 40 years, teaching with the Seminaries and Institutes for 15 years and as a Professor at Brigham Young University for 28 years. He has authored over 30 books and articles, produced more than 50 videos, as well as taught Adult Religion classes and at BYU Education Week. He was co-director of the BYU Church History Travel Study program before retiring from BYU in 2020. He has served on a General Church Writing Committee, as a Bishop, and on three High Councils.
Sandy received a degree in Early Childhood Education from BYU and, while her children were young, taught preschool in her home for several years. She loves gardening, knows nearly every flower and decorative plant on sight, and shares that love with others. She belongs to a private national group known as Growing Kindness that personally delivers happiness to others by sharing flowers, especially, varieties of dahlias. Her warm and uplifting welcome each morning will make your tour experiences begin with sunshine in your soul!
Brad Wilcox
Brad Wilcox is an associate professor in the Department of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University. He received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from BYU and taught sixth grade in Provo School District before returning to BYU for a master’s degree in teaching and learning. He received his PhD in curriculum and instruction with a focus in literacy from the University of Wyoming. He joined the faculty at BYU and spent many years in the Teacher Education Department. He moved to Ancient Scripture in 2016.
He is the author of the book The Continuous Atonement and the BYU devotional “His Grace Is Sufficient.” Brad grew up in Provo, Utah, except for childhood years spent in Ethiopia. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chile and later returned to that country to preside over the Chile Santiago East Mission from 2003 to 2006. He and his family have also lived for a time in New Zealand and Spain where he directed study abroad programs for Brigham Young University.
Anthony Sweat
Anthony R. Sweat received a BFA in painting and drawing from the University of Utah and his MEd and PhD in curriculum and instruction from Utah State University. Before joining the religion faculty at BYU, he worked for thirteen years with Seminaries and Institutes of Religion.
Dr. Sweat is the author of several books and articles related to the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His research centers on factors that influence effective religious education. As a practicing artist, his paintings center on previously underrepresented, important aspects of Church history to promote visual learning. Anthony and his wife, Cindy, are the parents of seven children and reside in Springville, Utah.
Wendy Fracchia
Wendy Fracchia has spent close to 40 years in the travel industry, turning her love for exploring the world into a rewarding career. From the moment she entered the industry right out of school, Wendy discovered her passion for helping others experience unforgettable journeys — whether fulfilling lifelong “bucket list” dreams, growing in faith, or simply enjoying the adventure of travel.
Reid Robison
Reid is a seasoned professional with a diverse background as a businessman and educator. He skillfully managed O. C. Tanner’s Canadian operation for an impressive 16-year tenure, while also sharing his knowledge with students at BYU for 22 years, both within the Marriott School and the religion department. Equally qualified is his wife, Diane, who shares his passion for teaching and learning. Together they served as mission leaders in the Caribbean and in Africa, and love teaching together.
Kay Godfrey
Kay Godfrey is a period historian of the life of the prophet Joseph Smith.
He is a graduate of Brigham Young University. He holds degrees in Historic Archaeology and Anthropology as well as Law Enforcement and Justice Administration.
He has studied and researched the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith for over 45 years. He has done extensive “on-site” research in New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and Missouri. He has spoken to the issue of the “Trials of the Prophet Joseph” at numerous symposiums in Nauvoo, Il. and Independence, Mo. He has edited books and videos for various authors on the historical accuracy of materials pertaining to Joseph Smith. Kay serves on numerous boards and foundations such as Ancient American Archaeology, Missouri Mormon Frontier Foundation, the Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism and the Nauvoo, Illinois, and Topsfield, Massachusetts Historical Societies.
Larry Gelwix
I am probably best known as the “Getaway Guru®” and host of the “Travel Show” radio broadcast on several radio stations. The weekly two-hour radio show highlights the best travel deals, lowest airline and cruise fares, and takes call-in questions from listeners. I also provide a travel segment that is broadcast on several TV stations. All across the country and overseas, I address groups on the dynamics of the travel industry as a motivational speaker.
Tim Taggart
Tim Taggart has been a pioneer in LDS travel pretty much from the beginning of the industry, traveling to the lands of the scriptures in the Middle East and Europe the first time in 1981 and conducting tours since 1983.
He was born and grew up in Cache Valley, Utah and served his first mission in Australia. He received a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Utah State University with a career goal to become a master teacher’. He began his teaching career in the LDS Church seminary program, completing a master’s degree in instructional technology from USU at the same time. His teaching career changed course in 1982 when he and the family came to Salt Lake City to work for the Church producing media. The new focus was to teach through the technology of visual and audio media to a worldwide audience.
Steven Kapp Perry
Steve is an award-winning songwriter, playwright, and broadcaster who has written for National Geographic, Deseret Book, and many other companies. After many years on the KSL Sunday radio show “Soft Sunday Sounds”, Steven currently can be heard on BYU Classical 89.