2026 Footsteps of Faith: A Journey Through LDS Church History with Mark & Janie Olgetree

We depart our home cities this morning and arrive at the Rochester, NY Airport. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to our hotel, where we’ll enjoy dinner together and get acquainted as we look forward to the inspiring journey ahead.  

This morning, we begin our day with a visit to the Sacred Grove, where we’ll take time to reflect on the profound events that took place here. We’ll then tour the restored Joseph Smith Sr. home and farm, including the log cabin where the Angel Moroni first appeared to young Joseph. Our next stop is the E. B. Grandin Building, where the Book of Mormon was first printed. We’ll also visit the grave site of Alvin Smith, Joseph’s eldest brother. After lunch, we continue to the Hill Cumorah and Visitor’s Center, followed by a visit to Fayette, NY, where we’ll explore the Peter Whitmer Farm—the site where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was officially organized on April 6, 1830.

Today, we travel to Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, to visit the Priesthood Restoration Site—a location of profound spiritual significance.  Our visit includes the new Visitor’s Center and meetinghouse, as well as the reconstructed homes of Joseph and Emma Smith and Isaac and Elizabeth Hale. We’ll walk through the wooded area where John the Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, restoring the Aaronic Priesthood. We’ll also visit the Susquehanna River, the sacred site where Joseph and Oliver were baptized.

This morning, we journey to Niagara Falls, home to America’s oldest state park. We’ll experience the awe-inspiring power of the falls aboard the Maid of the Mist, which takes us past the American Falls and into the heart of Horseshoe Basin—an unforgettable experience not to be missed!  Following our visit to the falls, we continue to Kirtland, Ohio, where we’ll visit the newly restored Joseph Smith home and the historic Morley Farm, both significant locations in early Church history.

We begin our Sabbath with Sacrament Meeting, followed by a visit to the Kirtland Temple Quarry, where early Saints labored to gather stone for the construction of the Kirtland Temple. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch and then we’ll explore the Kirtland Temple and the historic Kirtland village, including the LDS Visitor’s Center, Newel K. Whitney Home and Store, Johnson Inn, Ashery, and Sawmill.  Our final stop of the day takes us to Hiram, Ohio, where we’ll visit the John Johnson Farm—the sacred site where Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon received the vision of the three degrees of glory (Doctrine and Covenants 76).

Early this morning, we depart for the Cleveland Airport to catch our flight to Kansas City, Missouri.  Upon arrival, we travel to Independence to visit the Temple Lot and visitor’s center. From there, we continue to Liberty, where we’ll tour the Liberty Jail, a deeply moving historic site where the Prophet Joseph Smith was imprisoned for several months while the Saints endured intense persecution in Missouri.

We begin our day by traveling to Far West, where we’ll visit the temple site and discuss the important events that took place here, including revelations received by the Prophet Joseph Smith and the dedication of the temple cornerstones—just before the Saints were forced to leave Missouri.  Our journey continues to Adam-ondi-Ahman, a peaceful and sacred location believed to be where Adam and Eve lived after being cast out of the Garden of Eden.  Following our visit, we continue our drive to Nauvoo, where we’ll begin exploring more key locations in the history of the Restoration.

This morning, we begin our exploration of Historic Nauvoo with visits to some of the most significant sites in the city’s early history. We’ll tour Joseph Smith’s Homestead, the Mansion House, and the Red Brick Store, where many pivotal events in Church history took place. We’ll also visit the grave sites of Joseph, Emma, and Hyrum Smith, nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River.  In the afternoon, we’ll stroll through the beautifully preserved and restored homes and shops of Old Nauvoo, including the homes of Brigham Young, John Taylor, Heber C. Kimball, Lucy Mack Smith, and the Jonathan Browning Gun Shop, among others. These sites offer a touching glimpse into the daily lives of the early Saints.

We begin our day with an optional temple session at the Nauvoo Temple (subject to temple schedule), followed by a visit to the Pioneer Cemetery, where many early Saints were laid to rest.  In the afternoon, we travel the historic road to Carthage. We will tour the Carthage Jail, the sacred site where the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were martyred on June 27, 1844.  Following an early dinner, we walk the poignant “Trail of Hope”, retracing the path many Saints took as they left Nauvoo. Along the way, we’ll read powerful excerpts from their personal diaries, reflecting on their faith and sacrifice.

This morning, we travel to Hannibal, Missouri, the boyhood home of Mark Twain, nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River. Here, we’ll enjoy a relaxing luncheon cruise aboard a classic riverboat, taking in the sights and stories of this historic town.  Following lunch, we continue on to St. Louis, where we’ll check in for our late afternoon flights home, filled with memories of the sacred sites and experiences that have deepened our faith and understanding.