DEPARTS October 5-13, 2026 – In the fall the mountains in the Eastern US burn with color so rich and beautiful you must see it in person at least once in your lifetime. Combine that thrill with the spiritual side of an LDS church history tour that will share with you intimate and in-depth details of the Prophet Joseph’s early life in Sharon and Palmyra. See the sites that shaped a young man of faith into the prophet of the restored gospel. On this tour, we will open this history to you in a way that your love and testimony of the prophet will never be the same.
Experience Church History With Fall Colors
Join Morris Murdock Escorted Tours and Kay Godfrey on a picturesque tour including Maine, Vermont, and upstate New York, which is one of his signature tours and a beloved itinerary by all.
To book this tour contact your favorite Morris Columbus Travel Advisor or the Group Tour Manager listed below:
Dani Edmunds, Tour Manager
Tel: (801) 483-6114
Highlights
- Hosted by Kay Godfrey for the whole tour along with local guides
- 1 tour-bus experience for the whole tour!
- Licensed, insured, and bonded travel agency with 65 years of experience!! It matters who you travel with!
- Meals as outlined in the itinerary
Our journey begins as we fly to Boston, Massachusetts. Upon arrival we board our motorcoach and travel to our welcome dinner and hotel in Danvers, MA.
After breakfast we tour various LDS Church history sites, including the Smith Family Homestead and Pine Grove Cemetery. Afterwards, we begin our scenic drive to Boothbay Harbor, Maine where we board the “Pink Lady” and enjoy a picturesque cruise near rocky shores, quiet coves, islands, lighthouses, and yachts at anchor in the busy marinas. Later this afternoon we have time to wander and shop this quaint town before dinner.
Our tour today includes spectacular fall foliage as we travel through Vermont. As we travel, we see various Church history sites such as the Smith Home in Norwich, Vermont and the Smith Homesite in West Lebanon, New Hampshire.
This morning, our tour begins at the Joseph Smith Memorial in Sharon, Vermont, the birthplace of the Prophet Joseph Smith. We then continue on to visit several significant Church history sites, including the Tunbridge Village Store, the historic Tunbridge Covered Bridge, and the charming town of Royalton, Vermont.
Today we depart for Binghamton, NY. En route we visit the Battle of Bennington and the grave site of the poet, Robert Frost. We continue to Colesville, New York where the first branch of the Church was organized. We then visit the Josiah Stowell home, Joseph Knight home, and the Baptist Church.
Our day of touring brings us to several deeply significant locations in early Church history. We begin along the Susquehanna River, where we visit the Priesthood Restoration sites and the McKune Cemetery, resting place of several members of the Hale and Smith families.
We continue to Joseph and Emma Smith’s first home, a humble but sacred dwelling where their first child was born and where much of the Book of Mormon translation took place. Nearby, we visit the Isaac Hale Home, an important setting in Joseph and Emma’s early life together.
This afternoon, we travel toward the Palmyra, New York area. Along the way, we stop at the Peter Whitmer Farm in Fayette, the site where the Church was formally organized on April 6, 1830.
Following Sacrament meeting, we begin our tour in Palmyra at the Sacred Grove, taking time to reflect on the profound events that occurred in this holy place. We then tour the Joseph Smith Sr. home and farm, including the restored log cabin where the Angel Moroni first appeared to Joseph Smith. Our day continues with a visit to the E.B. Grandin Building, where the first edition of the Book of Mormon was printed. Our last stop will be the Hill Cumorah and its visitor’s center.
Today we journey to Niagara Falls, America’s oldest state park. You will have free time for sightseeing and pictures. After our free time, we travel to Kirtland, OH. Upon arrival, we visit the newly restored Joseph Smith home and the Morley Farm.
We spend the morning visiting the Kirtland Temple and Historic Kirtland Village which includes the Church Visitor’s Center, Whitney Home and Store, Ashery, and Sawmill. Our tour concludes with a greater appreciation of the life of the Prophet Joseph and all those who have made their mark in the early years of the church.
- 1 tour-bus experience for the whole tour
- 8-night's hotel accommodations
- Meals as specified on itinerary
- Meal gratuities on included meals
- Group transfers
- Ground transportation via deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach
- All Admissions and activities as specified in itinerary
- Taxes on included services
- Tour Guide/Church Historian Kay Godfrey
- Airfare to Boston, MA, and back from Cleveland, OH
- Additional transfers when not arriving or departing with group
- Meals not specified in itinerary
- Items of a personal nature
- Trip cancellation and baggage insurance
- Checked baggage fees
- Bus Driver and Historian gratuities
About 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.
Kay lectures regularly to missionaries on the topic of modern-day restoration, most recently speaking to the missionaries and investigators of the New Hampshire Manchester, Oklahoma Tulsa and Portland Oregon Missions. He has conducted firesides from Calgary, Canada to Fort Smith, Arkansas.
He has authored a comprehensive four-part DVD presentation detailing the life of Joseph Smith. This history is entitled: “Following the Footsteps of Joseph”. Kay’s material has been requested by such institutions as Oberlin College Archives, (Oberlin, Ohio) to be filed with the Spaulding Manuscript documents, Brigham Young University, in celebration of the bi-centennial celebration of Joseph Smith’s birth, the Joseph Smith Memorial Site, (Sharon, Vermont) as a teaching tool for new missionary couples and the archives department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Kay has been conducting domestic Church History tours for Morris Murdock and Legacy Travel since 1990. He also takes groups to Israel and European (Apostle) destinations. He speaks Hebrew and can read Egyptian hieroglyphs. His wife, Debra speaks French. He has served in numerous ward and stake callings including the High Council of the Meridian South Stake, Meridian, Idaho.
Kay and his wife Debra recently served a mission to Sharon, Vermont, where they were involved in numerous historical preservation endeavors including having secured permission from Topsfield, MA, to have a monument erected in Pine Grove Cemetery as a tribute to five generations of the Topsfield Smiths.
Kay has been asked by LDS Media to present a series of 25 podcast on the history and life of Joseph Smith. This podcast cast is to enhance the continuing study of the Doctrine and Covenants and can be viewed at www.comefollowme2021.com or on YouTube, search Kay Godfrey Podcast.
Kay retired in 2012 after serving 35 years with the BSA. He retired as Director of Development/Finance, Support Services, and Public Relations for the Great Salt Lake Council, Boy Scouts of America. He and his wife, Debra, live in Kaysville, Utah, and are the parents of five children. Kay is dedicated to sharing his knowledge, research, and testimony with groups of all ages.
Pricing Information
Pricing Options:
- Double Occupancy: $2,189 per person
- Single Occupancy: $2,890 per person
- Triple Occupancy: $2,139 per person
- Quad Occupancy: $2,089 per person
- Cash Discount: $75.00
Payment Terms:
- $250 per person deposit due at booking time
- Final payment due August 5, 2026
- We offer A CASH DISCOUNT of $75 per person! Please inquire for more details!
Most tour and cruise packages are sold as “Land Only”. This allows you the freedom to purchase tickets on your preferred airline and from your home city. We may offer group flights depending on the tour.
Yes! Once the frequent flyer reservations have been confirmed and ticketed by the airline, please provide a copy of the itinerary to us to ensure that proper transfer arrangements are made. We regret that we cannot assist with making frequent flyer reservations.
Yes! If you want to save some money, this is the ideal option. All reservations paid for by check or cash will receive a discount. The amount varies by tour and will be listed on the web-site.
Yes! If you are a Deseret Book Platinum Club member an additional discount may be available. There may be Expo discounts or other promotional discounts offered from time to time. However, only one discount per person will apply with the exception of the cash discount. Please call for details.
Because unforeseen circumstances may arise, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. This insurance will cover you in case you need to cancel a tour after final payment has been made. Certain restrictions apply.
Some tours do include gratuities for the local guides and bus drivers and others do not. Please refer to the “What is Included” section for your specific trip to find out.
Please note that many of these tours require that participants be in good physical and mental health. You must be capable, without assistance, of walking a minimum of one mile over uneven terrain and of climbing stairs that may not have handrails. Participants should have sufficient stamina to keep pace with an active group of travelers on long days of touring. Anyone with disabilities should have a travel companion who is willing and capable of assisting. Please let us know if you fall into this category.
In order for the enjoyment of all tour participants, we generally request that children be a minimum of 8 years old to participate on the tour. Parents should be advised that they may be the only youth on the tour. Some tours may be designed with family travel in mind and will be advertised as such. Please contact us if you have any questions.
All U.S. citizens are required to have a current passport valid for six months beyond the return date if the trip is international. In some cases a visa may also be required. For tours wholly within the United States a valid Drivers License is acceptable documentation.
Please remember that your first and last name on your ticket must match your passport or drivers license. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please call our office for assistance.
The final payment for an international tour is due 90 days prior to departure and for domestic tours it is due 60 days prior to departure. Full payment is required for new reservations received within the final payment period.
Per person cancellation fees are based on the date we receive notice from you.
For tours in the United States:
- Cancellations within 7 days of booking (if not within final payment date): full deposit refunded.
- Cancellations after the grace period ends to 91 days prior to departure: $125 will be refunded (50% of tour deposit)
- Cancellations from 90 to 61 days prior to departure: no refund of deposit
- Full payment due: 60 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations made 59 days or less prior to departure: no refund.
- Cancellations made on the day of departure: no refund
- Cancellation by Morris Murdock Escorted Tours: full refund.
- No refund for unused portions of the tour, including but not limited to, missed meals, hotel nights, and sightseeing.
For all other tours including international tours and cruises:
- Cancellations within 7 days of booking (if not within final payment date): full deposit refunded.
- Cancellations after the grace period ends to 91 days prior to departure: $250 refund (50% of tour deposit)
- Full payment due: 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations made 89 days or less prior to departure: no refund
- Cancellations made on the day of departure: no refund
- Cancellation by Morris Murdock Escorted Tours: full refund.
- No refund for unused portions of the tour, including but not limited to, missed meals, hotel nights, and sightseeing.
Will I receive a refund?
The refund amount, if any, will be paid according to the cancellation schedule listed above. We highly recommend travel insurance.
Since each tour is different, please refer to the individual tour recommendations on the web-site. Generally speaking, you will want to pack comfortable walking shoes, slacks and shirts that can be easily layered should there be a change in temperature. Be sure pack an extra change of clothing, camera and prescription medicines in your carry on bag.
Carry-on: Most airlines permit each passenger to take one carry-on bag, total dimensions (22″+ 14″+ 9″) of which must not exceed 45 inches and which cannot weigh more than 22 lbs., and one additional personal carry-on item, such as a purse or briefcase/laptop case; all carry-on items must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment.
Checked: Please check with your airline to confirm the current luggage limitations and any applicable fees. Most carriers charge a fee for any checked bags, with a discount if this is done ahead of time online.
Overweight: Please note that many airlines charge significant fees for overweight or oversized luggage. Be sure that all baggage and personal belongings are properly insured. Items such as medications, jewelry, or other valuables, breakable or perishable items, and important documents should be hand-carried. Responsibility will not be assumed by the airline for loss of or damage to these items.
Due to recent security issues on flights coming into the United States, the Transportation Security Administration has updated its aviation security measures. For an up-to-date list of items banned from carry-on luggage and items you can carry on, please visit: www.tsa.gov.
**Please see our complete Terms and Conditions for more information
