lds church history tours new york

New York - Kirtland Tour

Oh how lovely was the morning

Tour Summary

The initial history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints begins in western New York and Ohio. Historic LDS Tours takes you through some of the most beautiful country in the eastern United States; visiting rivers, falls, lakes, and fields, all amidst some of the most sacred places on earth.

This tour begins in Niagara Falls then to Palmyra New York and ends with the climactic events of the Kirtland Temple in Ohio.

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The New York Tour:

Best enjoyed in the spring or fall.

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Unique Experiences

The finger lakes district in western New York is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Here the Smith family lived and farmed, here they laid the very foundation from which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would grow.

You will experience the power and awe of Niagara Falls. You will experience the events of the early life of the Prophet Joseph Smith, from his initial meeting in the most Sacred of Groves, to the interviews with the Angel Moroni. You will see the family farm, the Palmyra Temple, all that encompassed the bringing forth of the Book of Mormon.

You will see where revelation after revelation was received, the sacred baptismal location, where the priesthood was restored and some very sacred family graves. You will then experience Kirtland Ohio. You will see the Temple, the School of the Prophets, the storehouse where many revelations were given. You will see how the saints gathered to Zion in Ohio and all that occurred at the John Johnson farm.

This tour will introduce you to the Prophet Joseph Smith in a way that you will always remember.

We visit the following sites and more:

• Niagara Falls
• Palmyra New York
• Mendon New York
• Fayette New York
• Seneca Lake New York
• Ithaca New York
• Harmony Pennsylvania
• Susquehanna River Pennsylvania
• Elmira New York
• Kirtland Ohio
• Cleveland Ohio
• Fairport Harbor Ohio

Pricing and Inclusions

Our tours include the following:

• Tour Guide Services
• Transportation
• A Study Guide
• Digital Photo Album of the Trip
• Pre-Tour Study Materials
• ...and most important,  An Individual Experience!

Day-by-Day Itinerary

The following day-by-day itinerary is a partial list of your tour.

The itinerary below is subject to change as needed at any time to accomplish everything we can in each area we visit. We will have local guides who will make sure we see the very best in the time we have.

Day 1, Thursday:  Fly to New York, enjoy the evening in Niagara Falls.

Day 2, Friday: See the falls up-close and travel to Palmyra to the Hill Cumorah and The Smith Family Farm

Day 3, Saturday: See the Grandin Press Building and other Sites in Palmyra including the Temple

Day 4, Sunday: Begin the morning in the Sacred Grove, then Church at the Whitmer Farm

Day 5, Monday: Visit the Susquehanna river, and then to Kirtland

Day 6, Tuesday: Kirtland Temple

Day 7, Wednesday: Hiram and the John Johnson Home, other Ohio sites

Day 8: Thursday: Fly home

We can do trips to New York for any length, 4 to 7 days is suggested.

Price: Call for Special Tour Pricing*

Price Includes:  Air Fare, Hotel Accommodation, Chartered Transportation, Tour Guide Services and Most Important, An Individual Experience!

*If you'd like to make your own airfare arrangements, or any other travel arrangements, please let us know and we can make an adjustment to the total price. Single room accommodations are available at a little higher price.

Pre-Trip Study Materials

Preparation can begin well before your trip starts.

One of the essential elements to a wonderful history tour is your personal preparation. We have created a number of resources that will help you prepare for your tour. These are designed to give you a summary of what you will see, some historical background and context, plenty to read, packing lists, and most of all, we want to prepare you for what you will feel and experience  →

You will also Receive a comprehensive Study Guide and Individual Journal for each Tour

Your private tour guide.

Since 2003, Dr. Sterling Jack has been a volunteer instructor with Seminaries and Institutes, teaching is his Passion. Upon completing his Doctorate in 2009 he has been working as a Professor and Investment Advisor.

Following years of study and research, Sterling has finally begun to share his passion and expertise for Church History, on location, where it all happened.  Visiting these places with Sterling will be a rare experience to be cherished and remember for a life time.

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LDS Church History Tours

2024 Church History Tours

   2024

2024 Remembering the Restoration Church History Tour with Rich Robins

   June 4-12, 2024

   Boston, MA; Lexington, MA Sharon, VT; Binghamton, NY; Fayette, NY; Palmyra, NY; Niagara Falls, NY; Kirtland, OH; Hiram, OH;

   9 days 8 nights

2024 American Heritage & LDS Church History Tour with Kay Godfrey

   July 6-20, 2024

   Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia, PA; New York City, NY; Boston, MA; Sharon, VT; Palmyra, NY; Niagara Falls, NY; Kirtland, OH; Nauvoo, IL; Carthage, IL;

   15 days 14 nights

2024 Fall Nauvoo and Branson Escape Tour with Kay Godfrey

   September 6-14, 2024

   Kansas City, MO Adam-ondi-Ahman Nauvoo, IL; Branson, MO:

2024 Remembering the Restoration with Rich Robins

   September 11-20, 2024

   Palmyra, NY; Fayette, NY; Susquehanna, PA; Niagara Falls, NY; Kirtland, OH; Independence, MO: Nauvoo, IL; Carthage, IL; St. Louis, MO;

   10 days 9 nights

2024 Fall Conference Church History tour with Tim Taggart

   September 25 - October 4, 2024

   Palmyra, NY; Susquehanna River; Niagara Falls, NY; Kirtland, OH; Independence, MO: Adam-ondi-Ahman Nauvoo, IL; Carthage, IL;

2024 Autumn in New England Church History Tour with Kay Godfrey

   October 8-16, 2024

   Boston, MA; Boothbay Harbor, Maine; West Lebanon, NH; Sharon, VT; Binghamton, NY; Fayette, NY; Palmyra, NY; Kirtland, OH;

2025 Church History Tours

   January 1-December 31, 2025

*The products (services) offered by Morris Murdock Escorted Tours & LDS Travel Study are neither made, provided, approved nor endorsed by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Any content or opinions expressed, implied or included in or with the goods (services) offered by Morris Columbus Travel, LLC are solely those of Morris Columbus, LLC and not those of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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June 22 – July 1, 2024

$2,300 per person (based on double occupancy)

$2,975 pp single occupancy

$2,200 pp triple occupancy

$2,100 pp quad occupancy

Hosted by John and Kim Bytheway

Tour Includes

• 9 night hotel accommodations
• Deluxe motor-coach transportation
• Museum entry fees
• 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 3 dinners
• Expert guide

Not Included:

• Airfare to Rochester, NY and from Kansas City, MO
• Airline baggage fees
• Meals other than listed
• Tips for drivers and guides
• Trip insurance available through Travlex

Fly to Rochester, New York. Take the complimentary shuttle to your hotel to rest and overnight prior to beginning your exciting and informative Church History Tour.

Our tour begins by climbing the crest of the Hill Cumorah. As we tour the visitor center we hear from the missionaries of the local history. After the Hill Cumorah, we see the Grandin Press, this is where the first copies of the Book of Mormon were printed. Following, we visit the Martin Harris Farm before visiting Church history sites in Palmyra.

Church History Sites:

Hill cumorah.

A historic hill, it overlooks the final resting places of two entire civilizations that once inhabited this land, and whose history is found in the Book of Mormon. From here, the prophet, Moroni, wrote of the final destruction of his people before depositing their sacred history into a stone box atop this very hill.  At the visitors center, you may reflect upon this monumental history, its implications, its importance and relevance in our lives. 

The Sacred Grove

Time is available here to reflect upon the significance of this event, including the personal influence it has had on you. In addition to the Sacred Grove, the Smith Family Farm includes other historic structures, such as the log home where the Smith family lived. Unfortunately, there are usually many mosquitos in this area, therefore we encourage guests to bring repellent for personal use.

The Grandin Press

Today this historic site is open to the public year-round. It features restorations of the original bookstore, printer’s office, printing press, and bindery. It also features exhibits about Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. E.B. Grandin agreed to print 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon in June 1829 for a cost of $3,000. Copies of the book were first sold to the public at Grandin’s bookstore in 1830. Since then, more than 176 million copies of the book have been printed in more than 100 languages.

Overnight in Rochester.

In the morning we travel through the Finger Lakes region to the Peter Whitmer Farm. From there, we travel southeast, stopping for lunch at Taughannock Falls. At the falls we will have some time to reflect on Church history in New York and then continue our journey to Harmony. There, we will see the new Visitor’s Center, and replicas of both the Hale home, as well as Joseph and Emma’s first home.

Peter Whitmer Farm

Peter and Mary Whitmer allowed Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to live in their home in June 1829 so the two men could complete the translation of the Book of Mormon. Joseph’s wife, Emma, later joined them there. The Whitmer Farm was also the place where the angel Moroni showed three men, now known as the Three Witnesses, the golden plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated. On April 6, 1830, about 55 people gathered in the Whitmer’s home, where Joseph Smith presided over the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Home of Isaac & Elizabeth Hale

About a year after Joseph and Emma Smith married, they lived with Emma’s parents, Isaac and Elizabeth Hale. The reconstructed Hale home, built at its original location, offers a glimpse into Emma’s life as a child and as a young woman. You will also see the place where Joseph began translating the Book of Mormon.

Joseph and Emma’s Home

After living in the Hale home for a short time, Joseph and Emma moved into a smaller home. This home has also been reconstructed at its original location. Emma gave birth to her first child here. Joseph translated most of the Book of Mormon here, with Oliver Cowdery and others acting as scribes. Joseph and Emma were living in this home when the restoration of the priesthood began.

McKune Cemetery

Before you return to the visitor’s center, you may want to spend some time at the McKune Cemetery. Joseph and Emma buried their firstborn child, a son, near other Hale family graves in this cemetery. Please be considerate and reverent in this place, especially during memorial services. It is a public cemetery, and many local residents have close family members buried here.

Overnight in Sayre.

In the morning we travel towards Kirtland, Ohio to see the Church history sites there. We will stop for lunch at an overlook of Lake Erie and then continue our travels.  Once in Kirtland we will tour the historic Kirtland Temple owned by the Community of Christ. We will also take time to visit the cemetery in Kirtland, reviewing the lives of some of the saints who were buried there. 

Kirtland Temple

The Kirtland Temple was the first temple constructed after the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. Long-anticipated, the early church members made several sacrifices to see to the fulfillment of its construction. Following its dedication, heavenly visitations and important revelations occurred within the temple walls. Including events such as the appearance of Jesus Christ, Moses, Elias, and Elijah. Plus, the receipt of sections of the Doctrine and Covenants.

Due to financial difficulties and persecution in Kirtland, the Church eventually lost the ownership of the temple. Various religious denominations and other associations used the temple as a meeting house and other purposes. Eventually, efforts to restore and preserve the Kirtland Temple were made. Now, it is owned and operated by the Community of Christ.  We will head east and stop along the shores of Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes. 

Overnight in Eastlake near Kirtland.

Today we will visit the Isaac Morley farm before we tour the LDS Visitor Center. The guides there will take us to Church history sites such as the sawmill, the Johnson Historic Hotel, and the Newel K. Whitney store. At the store you will have the opportunity to sit in the actual room where the School of the Prophets took place.  Afterwards, we continue our way south to the John Johnson Farm. This is where Joseph Smith was dragged from his bed and savagely tarred and feathered. 

Emma & Joseph Home

This home once belonged to Joseph and Emma Smith, while living in Kirtland. This home has only recently been restored, and as a result, is now open for guided tours of the property. 

Historic Kirtland

Including sites such as the visitors center, Newel K Whitney store, and downtown historic Kirtland. Missionaries guide us through each site, as well as introduce us to sites of revelation and spiritual guidance.

John Johnson Farm

One night a group of men broke into this home and ripped Joseph from his bed. They forced him outside and carreid him to a meadow some distance away, where they tarred and feathered him. The next day, after Emma nursed his wounds and cleaned the tar and feathers from his skin, he delivered a sermon.

In the evening we will enjoy a lovely dinner with the Amish in Charm, Ohio. We will stay the night at the Guggisberg Inn. 

We will spend some time on our motor coach this day as we travel across Ohio and Indiana to Illinois.

Dinner in Abraham Lincoln’s hometown and then overnight in Springfield.

Today we explore the sacred site of the prophet Joseph Smith’s martyrdom at Carthage Jail. After this, we will move on to Nauvoo, a trove of Church history.

Carthage Jail

Of course, this site is infamous for the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration. Within the walls of the fated room, the bullet holes are still visible in the wooden door. Traditionally, the blood of Hyrum Smith and others in the room stayed on the wooden floor boards for more than 100 years. After which, the prophet chose to clean the bloodstains as a sign of respect for those who had fallen.

This heart-wrenching tale of Joseph and Hyrum’s final moments in mortality is certain to off us insight and appreciation of the sacrifices they had made up to that point. Ideally, this is a great time for self-reflection, as well as thanksgiving for the willingness of those men to serve God in a full capacity.

Beginning with a bus tour of Old Nauvoo to acquaint you with the many sites where you can visit during your free time the following day.  We’ll go back in time to Old Nauvoo and see the Browning gun shop, bakery and Family Living Center. At the Family Living Center we will be shown demonstrations of all the old crafts of Nauvoo.  Guests will enjoy a special fireside presentation that evening.

Overnight at the Nauvoo Inn.

Our day will include sessions at the Nauvoo Temple. Guests will be able to do baptisms for the dead or a group temple session if desired. The remainder of the day will be free for guests to explore Church history sites in Nauvoo.

Sites to Look Forward to at Nauvoo:

Historic homes.

Impressively, the Historic Nauvoo District houses more than 20 historic homes for visitors to explore. For example, the William Weeks Home, homes of the early apostles, the Mansion house, including many others! Easily, we could spend days here, which is why we offer time for free exploration as well as group guided exploration. Altogether, have the experience at historic Nauvoo that you wish to.

Main Street Trades

Through working with tin, leather, and paper, tradespeople sustained the economy of this swelling city along the Mississippi. In addition to a print shop and post office, see the historic Browning Gun Shop. Also, take the time to see the Stoddard Tin Shop, Riser Boot and Shoe Shop, or even, the old Schoolhouse.

Nauvoo Temple

Originally, the Nauvoo Temple was built and dedicated back in the 19th century. However, after a great exodus of Saints from Nauvoo, there came mobs intent on destroying the sacred edifice. Tragically, the Nauvoo Temple burned to the ground with few remains. Fortunately, in the 20th century, the reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple began, and is now fully operational. An iconic feature, the statue of Moroni on top, faces the West, symbolically representing the exodus of Saints, and commending their sacrifices.

Today we will drive to Missouri, stopping in Hannibal to see the home town of Mark Twain. We will stop at Far West to view the temple cornerstone and learn the significance of the Lord’s Promised Land.  After lunch we’ll explore the ancient past and foretold future. These instances collide at the lush valley of Adam-Ondi-Ahman.  Next, we’ll pass by the tragic site of Haun’s Mill. A terrible massacre took place here October 30th, 1838.

Our day ends with a farewell dinner in Liberty where we will overnight.

We travel this morning to Liberty Jail. Here we will share in the despair and the exhilaration of the Prophet Joseph as he received some of our most hallowed revelations while incarcerated. 

Independence is the place prophesied as the location of the New Jerusalem in the final days of this earth. You will stand on the ground where these events will occur. We will visit the Community of Christ Temple. Finally we will end the tour with a visit to the empty lot where the magnificent temple will be built by the remnant of the House of Israel, and then tour the LDS Visitor Center.

Our Motor coach will convey us to the airport. Flights should leave from Kansas City, Missouri International Airport after 5:00pm.

Payment Terms: $300 pp deposit at time of booking. Final Payment due 90 days before departure.

**this tour is based off of a minimum of 20 passengers and a maximum of 40 passengers. 

Meet your hosts!

John Bytheway was born and raised in Salt Lake City and served his mission in the Philippines. He earned a Master’s Degree in Religious Education from BYU and currently teaches courses on the Book of Mormon and New Testament at the BYU Salt Lake Center. 

He is the author of a few dozen books and audio programs, which he says, are effective non-prescription sleep-aids.

He loves to golf, write, read, and play the banjo and guitar. John is a founding member of the local chapter of the Andy Griffith Show Re-Run Watchers Club, and does a “spot-on” impersonation of Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife.

John and his wife Kimberly have six children and a completely full SUV which doubles in value when it’s full of gasoline. 

Want to know more? 

Legacy Tours and Travel, LLC reserves the right to alter the itinerary and/or substitute sightseeing and/or other tour features if deemed necessary.

Legacy Tours & Travel P.O. BOX 486 Bountiful, Utah 84011 [email protected] Office: 801-683-0123 Toll-Free: 877-221-5161

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Historic Sites: New York and Pennsylvania

What to expect when you visit the church’s historic sites in new york and pennsylvania, sacred grove and joseph smith boyhood home, hill cumorah, priesthood restoration site, grandin building: book of mormon publication site, whitmer farm: church organization site.

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Latter Day Tours

Latter Day Tours is dedicated to providing LDS church history tours tailored for individuals aged 14 to 19 as well as adults. We offer the finest, most informative, least expensive and just plain fun tours available anywhere.

 All tours travel on a modern air-conditioned bus complete with bathroom facilities. Please be our guest on our next tour and see why so many travelers choose Latter Day Tours.

Tour Reviews

This trip will always be on the "top ten" list of favorites from my life's experiences. I learned so much and grew to understand and love the Prophet Joseph Smith and the pioneers more than I did previously. I highly recommend this trip! 

Joni Flandro

My three children went on the tour for their senior trips the summer before graduation. They loved the trip and came home with a much strengthened testimony. They felt independent with a group of teenagers and I had the reassurance of great chaperones who kept them safe.

Egbert Amanda

Life changing! Testimony Building! You couldn't ask for better tour guides or experience! Every detail attended too! Everyone feels like they are loved and are known. Some who experience feeling loved for the 1st time! Thanks for the tour!

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Church history tour - 9-day land tour.

*Reservation will be confirmed once deposit is received and you receive and email confirmation. 

Church History Tour

Church history tour itinerary.

Sites to see include: Harmony, Palmyra, Niagara Falls, Kirtland, Liberty, Independence, Far West, Richmond, Jamesport (Amish area), Adam-ondi-Ahman, Carthage and Nauvoo.

Thursday  – Our group air on Delta airlines departs early morning from SLC and arrives in Rochester, New York at 5 p.m. Our motor coach will meet us at the airport and we’ll continue on to Palmyra where we start our tour as we stand atop Hill Cumorah. Lodging – Palmyra Inn.

Friday  – Our day begins at the Smith farm with tours of the Log Home, Frame Home and Sacred Grove. We then visit the Martin Harris farm and Alvin Smith’s grave before having lunch @ Aqueduct Park. This afternoon we tour the E. B. Grandin Bldg. (Book of Mormon publishing site). Lodging – Palmyra Inn.

Saturday  – Today we travel to Fayette, New York and tour the Peter Whitmer Sr. log home and visitors’ center. Everyone will enjoy our stop in Harmony to visit the recently rebuilt home of Joseph & Emma Smith, the Hale home, and spend time in the newly built visitors’ center. Lodging – Palmyra Inn.

Sunday  – We start the day with a 9 a.m. sacrament meeting in Palmyra. After a final drive through town, we travel on to Niagara Falls (American side) for a voyage on the Maid of the Mist before continuing on to Kirtland, Ohio. Lodging – Lawnfield Inn and Suites.

Monday  – We begin our day with a tour of the Kirtland Flats (LDS visitors’ center, Newel K. Whitney store, home, sawmill, and ashery). We will then enjoy a tour of the Kirtland Temple. We’ll also visit the North Kirtland Cemetery, quarry, and drive by homes once owned by early LDS Saints. We’ll have a picnic lunch on the bus as we drive to the neighboring town of Hiram to see the John Johnson farm and the nearby home where Lorenzo Snow was born. All will enjoy dinner at Mary Yoder’s (Amish restaurant). Lodging – Lawnfield Inn and Suites.

Tuesday  – The Saints traveled by wagon but we will fly from Cleveland, Ohio to St. Louis, Missouri. We then travel by motor coach to Nauvoo, Illinois where we will enjoy our first glimpse of the magnificent Nauvoo Temple. Lodging – Nauvoo Condos

Wednesday  – We’ll start our day with a memorable tour at the Carthage Jail. For the rest of the day, you can enjoy free time for shopping and tours of the restored homes. Tonight we enjoy a 7 p.m. performance of “Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo.” Lodging – Nauvoo Condos.

Thursday  – Today, you have free time to tour the restored homes and shops. We will also have a scheduled group tour of the Joseph Smith homestead and mansion house. We’ll finish our day with a 7 p.m. session at the Nauvoo Temple (optional). Lodging – Nauvoo Condos.

Friday  – We bid a fond farewell to Nauvoo as we travel across Missouri. This afternoon we visit Jamesport, an Amish community, and make a memorable stop at Adam-ondi-Ahman. Lodging – Acorn Inn (Cameron).

Saturday  – Today we continue on to Far West, Hawn’s Mill (weather permitting) and Richmond, Missouri. Everyone will enjoy our lunch stop at Wabash in Excelsior Springs. We’ll continue on to Independence and enjoy a visit at the LDS Visitors’ Center, among other important sites to see in this area. Lodging – Independence area.

Sunday  – We start the day with a 9 a.m. sacrament meeting. We’ll finish our memorable Church history tour with a picture stop at the Kansas City Temple and a not-to-be-missed visit to Historic Liberty Jail. Our group air departs from the Kansas City Airport (MCI) on our Delta nonstop flight back to Salt Lake City

LDS Family Travels was created to make visiting the historical sites of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints easy, economical, and fun!

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Mormon heritage association offers unique, modestly-priced lds church history tours..

Sites are relived in historical order so complex history is easily followed.  In the spirit of a fine gospel doctrine class, inspiring history is taught right where it happened!  Each day begins with a hymn and a prayer on the bus and ends in the same, inspiring way.

Goose-bumpy, spiritual participation opportunities are offered to tour members.

Some are given scriptures to read at sacred sites, prophesying glorious future events.  Some represent historical figures such as Emma Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, Mary Fielding, and others, by presenting rehearsed scripts recounting their struggles, hopes, sorrows, faith, courage and blessings we have received as a result.  Some tour members read inspiring historical accounts as we visit the sites where they occurred. Others bless or serve food, conduct hymns, or assist those who need help with their luggage. And some simply prefer to "observe." These tours can be and have been life changing and priority changing for many tour members. We know of at least 70 couples (we lost count!) who decided to serve missions at places such as Independence, Adam-ondi-Ahman, Nauvoo, Palmyra, Kirtland after participating in one of these tours.  Pending divorces have been called off, young people have experienced a change of heart and returned home to submit mission applications.  One senior couple, who met on one of these tours, married in the temple a few months later.  Another single adult two-some met on a tour and were married in the Salt Lake Temple. 

A tour priority is effective use of time so that you get to do more of what you came for and in less time without being rushed.

For example, all meals are included in the tour price so that they can be pre-arranged, and ready when we arrive!  Over the course of a tour, this saves hours over your having to decide where to eat, get waited on, food prepared & served, eat and then pay the bill.  Most tour members praise the food.  In fact, they praise the whole tour!  Some do the same tour a second time and take along loved ones so they can have the same experience.  Many have written letters of appreciation.  And the good word is spreading abroad, too!  Church members have flown all the way from England, Scotland, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and India just to have the unforgettable, inspiring experience of a Mormon Heritage Tour!

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Sacred Grove

Priesthood Restoration Site

Historic Kirtland: Ashery, Sawmill, and Schoolhouse

Historic Kirtland: Whitney Store, Whitney Home, and Johnson Inn

Johnson Farm

Carthage Jail

Historic Nauvoo: Temple City

Watch a virtual tour video.

Sacred Grove Historic Site, Part 1: The First Vision

Sacred Grove Historic Site, Part 2: The Angel Moroni and Joseph Smith

Sacred Grove Historic Site Part 3: The Smith Family and the Book of Mormon

The Hill Cumorah and the Preparation of a Prophet

Grandin Building: Sharing the Book of Mormon with the World

Whitmer Farm: A Place of Miracles

Building a Sawmill to Build a Temple

Johnson Home: Hidden Mysteries Revealed

Whitney Home and Store: People and Places Transformed by the Gospel

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Ultimate Church History Tour

Journey Through Faith: A Transformative Church History Tour from Palmyra to Nauvoo

October 7 – 17th, 2024

Embark on a profound journey of discovery and spiritual enrichment with “Journey Through Faith: A Transformative Church History Tour from Palmyra to Nauvoo.” This meticulously crafted tour invites you to walk in the footsteps of early Church pioneers across sacred sites from Palmyra, New York, to the historic streets of Nauvoo, Illinois. Experience the serene beauty of the Sacred Grove, feel the echoes of the past in Kirtland, and explore the pivotal places of Missouri, culminating in the rich heritage of Nauvoo. With each step, immerse yourself in the stories and revelations that shaped a faith, guided by the insights of experienced tour guide Tom Pettit.

Detailed Itinerary

Information Packet

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Today you will fly into Syracuse, New York. There are no group activities today so you can fly anytime that is most convenient for you.

We will spend a full day seeing the sites in Palmyra. Our stops will include the Sacred Grove, the Smith Family Farm, the rebuilt log home where the Moroni visits took place, the Hill Cumorah, the Grandin Press (where the Book of Mormon was first published), the Martin Harris Farm, the Palmyra Cemetery, and the exterior of the Palmyra Temple. There will be time to attend the Palmyra Temple this evening for those interested. (Breakfast and Lunch provided)

Today we travel to Harmony, PA and the Susquehanna River. It was here that the Priesthood was restored and where most of the Book of Mormon was translated. The new Priesthood Restoration Site was dedicated in September 2016. The site now includes the Joseph and Emma Smith Home, the Isaac Hale Home, statues, historical markers, and a new Visitors’ Center. We will keep to our chronological order of Church history by then traveling to Fayette, NY where we will visit the Peter Whitmer Farm. This is where the Church was officially organized. It was also in Fayette that the Three Witnesses saw the angel and the plates. Some of the Book of Mormon was also translated at the Whitmer Farm. (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner provided)

We will spend several hours at Niagara Falls today. There are many attractions to participate in, including the Maid of the Mist boat ride which will give us an up-close view of the Falls. Later, we will make our way to Kirtland. (Breakfast, and Dinner provided)

The day will start with a tour of the interior of the Kirtland Temple. It was here that the Savior appeared to Joseph and Oliver. Moses, Elias, and Elijah also appeared and restored Keys of the Priesthood. We will visit the Visitors’ Center, the Newell K. Whitney home (where Joseph and Emma lived) and the Newell K. Whitney store (which included the School of the Prophets and where many revelations, including the Word of Wisdom, were received). We will also visit the John Johnson Inn (where the Church periodical The Evening and Morning Star was published), the reconstructed Kirtland Schoolhouse, and the Kirtland Ashery along with a reconstructed water-powered sawmill. We will visit the Morley Farm where General Conference was held, the Father and the Son appeared, where missionaries were first sent from, and where the first High Priests of this dispensation were ordained. We will also see the exterior of homes belonging to Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, and Sidney Rigdon. We will have a catered lunch at the Chaplin Forest Stone Quarry where much of the stone for the Kirtland Temple was obtained. (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner provided)

Our day begins in Hiram, Ohio at the John Johnson Farm. It was here that Section 76 was received. Joseph and Sidney saw the Celestial Kingdom, the Father and the Savior, and many other things in the upper room of this home. This is a very sacred place. In the afternoon, we will fly from Cleveland, Ohio to Kansas City, Missouri. We fly to Kansas City to avoid a 10 hour bus ride, plus it keeps the sites we visit in chronological order. This flight is INCLUDED in the price of the tour. (Breakfast and Dinner provided)

We will join a local ward for Sacrament Meeting this morning before we start the Missouri portion of our Church History Tour. It will be a full day of sightseeing. We will visit the Visitors’ Center in Independence, the reconstructed Liberty Jail, and the cornerstones of the future temple in Far West. We will also visit Adam-ondi-Ahman and discuss the great future Sacrament meeting which will be held there. As we travel between these sites, we will listen on the bus about the Missouri Experience, Mormon Battalion, Zion’s Camp, and the Pioneers. (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner provided)

Today is our first day in Nauvoo! The day will be spent seeing the sites of Nauvoo which include Joseph Smith’s home and grave site, the Red Brick Store, the Visitors Center, the Relief Society Statue Gardens, Carriage & Wagon rides, the Seventies Hall, Brigham Young’s home, Wilford Woodruff’s home, Heber C. Kimball’s home, and many other historical sites. You may also want to visit the Land and Records Center to discover your personal Nauvoo heritage. (Breakfast and Dinner provided)

Our second full day in Nauvoo! Look through our detailed itinerary for a full listing of everything there is to do in Nauvoo. Our day will begin by visiting the sites we missed yesterday before taking a walk down the Trail of Hope. It was here that the Saints took their first steps toward the Salt Lake Valley. There will be time to attend the Nauvoo Temple before dinner. (Breakfast and Dinner provided)

We will start our day at Carthage Jail. It was here that Joseph and Hyrum sealed their testimonies as martyrs. The rest of the day will be spent enjoying Nauvoo. There will be time to attend the Nauvoo Temple again today. The After dinner, we will travel to St. Louis, MO. (Breakfast and Dinner provided)

The free hotel shuttle will transfer you to the airport for your flight home from the St. Louis, MO airport. There are no group activities today so you can fly anytime that is most convenient for you. (Breakfast provided)

Pricing Information

Prices include: Deluxe chartered bus, all hotels, almost every meal, personal tour guide (Tom Pettit), on bus history lectures and stories, all fees, Maid of the Mist boat ride at Niagara Falls, and the mid-tour flight from Cleveland, OH to Kansas City, MO. Price does not include airfare to Syracuse, NY or home from St. Louis, MO. Please see below for additional airfare information.

Quad Occupancy

Triple Occupancy

Double Occupancy

Single Occupancy

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on the arrows below to find out more details about this tour.

An initial payment of $300, per person, is required to confirm your reservations. This payment is applied to your total amount due.

All Rates are per person and based on hotel room occupancy. Prices listed are cash/check prices. If you wish to pay by credit card, the bank’s 2.9% transaction fee will be added to your final balance. There is no fee to use a card when registering.

If the temples are open when we are there, you will have the opportunity to attend the Palmyra Temple and the Nauvoo Temple during the tour.

You will need to purchase two one-way flights. The first flight on October 7, 2024 is from your home airport to Syracuse, NY (airport code SYR). The second flight is to your home airport on October 17, 2024 from St. Louis, MO (airport code STL). I am happy to help you locate the best price and the best itinerary for your flights, but you will ultimately book directly with the airline carrier.

Our deluxe chartered bus provides the best comfort available for our journey. We only charter the best buses and also the best professional drivers. We will only take one bus on this tour. Having one bus allows our guide to spend the whole day with you telling the history, doctrine, and stories. Plus, if you join a tour with more than one bus, you end up spending all of your time waiting in line for meals and the restroom!

Read what past attendees have said about the Youth Church History Tour! 

Visit my  YouTube channel   to preview some of the topics discussed at each historical site, and to hear me tell some of my favorite stories from Church History.

Click the button below for a detailed itinerary of this tour.

A Word of Thanks

Thank you for considering the Ultimate Church History Tour with Living Heritage Tours. We are very excited to help those that participate have an incredible experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives!

Tom has become a student of the information taught on this and other Church history tours. He has been teaching the gospel to youth and adults continuously for the last 25 years by serving in various Church callings. Tom served his mission in Australia. He and his wife Lesa have five children and live in Lehi, UT.

I loved the trip so much!

The spirit was so strong on the trip and the fun never stopped! I enjoyed every minute of it.  This trip was truly amazing. All of us youth seemed to have a great time and it was fun to meet new people. And even through all that fun, the spirit was able to speak to each of us personally.

This trip was amazing!

This trip was the best part of my summer. The tour really strengthened my testimony. I had so many wonderful spiritual experiences and had so much fun. I met some of the best people I know on this trip. I loved every minute! I would definitely recommend it.

Tom is amazing!!!

This trip is one of the best things you will ever do. It will strengthen your testimony. It is so amazing and fun. If you have the opportunity to go on this trip you really should.

Book Your Tour Today

Hear the stories and read the revelations at the actual sites where they took place.Be taught while traveling and while visiting sacred sites by historical guides, set apart missionaries, and each other. We won’t just talk about the history of these places, but how the stories of the past can help us draw closer to the Savior in our everyday lives!

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East and Southern US , New York , North America · August 28, 2023

7 LDS Church History Sites in Palmyra, New York

Palmyra, New York is located in the Finger Lakes Region near the Canadian border.

This area played an important role in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and is considered the birthplace of the religion.

This is where Joseph Smith received revelation to restore the gospel to the earth and began translating the Book of Mormon.

Whether you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or not, this is a great place to learn about the church’s early beginnings and see some historical sites.

Keep reading to discover 7 LDS church history sites in Palmyra that are worth visiting!

1. Hill Cumorah

As you are coming into town from the south, Hill Cumorah will be the first historical site that you will come to.

Hill Cumorah holds significance in the history of the church because this is where Angel Moroni directed Joseph Smith to find the gold plates.

The plates were buried in ancient times by Moroni, the final author of the Book of Mormon.

In 1823, Angel Moroni revealed to Joseph where the plates were buried on the hillside, but he was commanded to not remove the plates quite yet.

For the next 4 years, Joseph Smith made the annual three-mile trek to Hill Cumorah from his home to meet with Angel Moroni until he was finally instructed to remove the plates on September 22, 1827.

Once he obtained the plates, he began the process of translating the gold plates into the Book of Mormon through the gift of God.

The exact location of where the plates were buried is unknown.

When you visit Hill Cumorah, there is a network of trails leading to the top of the hill.

You can choose to take a longer paved trail around to the top or a shorter and steeper unpaved trail.

Once you reach the top, you can see the Angel Moroni Monument which was erected in 1935.

Visitors used to be able to drive to the top, but the road has been taken out as part of a restoration project once the Hill Cumorah Pageant came to an end.

If you are unable to walk to the top, the missionaries can take you on a shuttle to the monument.

You’ll also want to stop by the visitor center to learn more about the history of Hill Cumorah and the Restoration.

Here, you can see artifacts and exhibits, watch a short film, see the Christus Statue, listen to a short presentation by the volunteer missionaries, and enjoy the air conditioning!

Plan for about 1-1 1/2 hours when visiting the Hill Cumorah site.

2. Smith Family Farm

The Smith Farm is a 100-acre farm where Joseph Smith once lived and it is where it all began.

Start your visit at the Welcome Center where you’ll begin your guided tour led by one of the missionaries.

When we visited, there wasn’t a set tour time, they just took visitors as they came. The Welcome Center hours vary during the seasons, so I would recommend calling ahead.

The first stop on the tour is the reconstructed 1,000-square-foot log home where Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith lived with their 8 children.

The log home was built between 1818 and 1819 by Joseph Smith Sr. and his sons, Alvin and Hyrum.

Although the original home didn’t survive the elements, the foundation remained.

Using historical documents and journals, the home was able to be reconstructed and furnished to look as it would have when the Smith family lived there.

Be sure to notice the bible that is on the table. It is from the 1800s and is opened to James 1:5-6. These are the scripture verses that inspired Joseph to pray about what church he should join.

When you head upstairs, you’ll see a re-creation of the room where Joseph slept with his brothers. This is where he was first visited in the middle of the night by Angel Moroni on September 21, 1823.

The next stop on the guided tour is the Frame House, which is within walking distance from the log home.

This home was about twice as big as the log cabin and was a much more comfortable space for the large Smith family.

Unlike the log home, some of the original features of this home have been preserved, including the floors and some of the wall planks.

The Smiths were in the process of building the Frame House when Alvin Smith died unexpectedly in November 1823 at age 25.

This is also the home where Joseph and his wife, Emma, were living when Joseph obtained the gold plates from Hill Cumorah.

Your tour guide will share stories of how and where Joseph had to hide the plates within the home to keep them out of the reach of those who were trying to steal them for monetary gain.

You’ll also be able to hold a replica of the plates to see just how heavy they were and how difficult it would have been to transport them.

The Frame House is also where Joseph was living when Martin Harris lost the 116 pages of the Book of Mormon manuscript.

In 1829, the Eight Witnesses were also shown the golden plates while visiting the Smith Family Farm.

Due to financial restraints, the family lost the Frame House and moved back into the log cabin by 1830. They then worked as farm tenants before moving to Ohio in 1831.

The two homes are the main stops on the guided tour and it really brought to life the timeline and stories about Joseph Smith’s experiences.

You can also stop by and see the nearby threshing barn.

This is where they would thresh the grain from the stalks and then store the harvested grains. They would also store hay, harnesses, and tools in the barn.

This is the original location of the barn, but not the original barn.

However, it is a historic barn that actually belonged to Brigham Young’s father in Mendan New York. It was later renovated and relocated to this site.

There is also a replica Cooper Shop where Joseph Smith Sr. stored supplies for making wooden barrels and buckets that they would use to harvest maple sap from the farm.

Joseph Smith also hid the gold plates in the Copper Shop on at least one occasion.

3. Sacred Grove

When the Smith Family purchased the 100-acre farm in 1818, it was a heavily wooded lot.

After two years, they had cleared about 30 acres. Much of the farmland was still forested, which is where Joseph Smith went to pray in the spring of 1820.

He entered what is now referred to as the “Sacred Grove” and prayed to know what church he should join.

He was visited by God and His son, Jesus Christ in an event that is known as The First Vision.

Joseph was told that he shouldn’t join any of the churches, but should restore the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ that was once upon the earth.

Today, visitors can walk through various paths leading through the Sacred Grove.

The trees and vegetation in the grove have been preserved so that it looks much like it did in 1820.

The Sacred Grove is located within walking distance of the Smith family home. This is not a guided tour, but a chance for visitors to reflect and ponder on their own about the events that took place here.

There are several different pathways and benches so that you can find a secluded spot to take in the peaceful spirit that is found in this grove of trees.

Plan for about 1 1/2-2 hours to take the guided tour of the Smith Family Farm homes and the self-guided tour of the Sacred Grove.

4. Palmyra Temple

As you are touring around the Smith farm, take a look to the east and you’ll see a clearing in the trees where you can see the Palmyra Temple sitting on the hill.

Special permission was needed to be able to clear the trees since this is a designated historic site.

It is so cool to be able to stand at the site of the modern-day temple and look out to see where it first began.

You will notice that the windows of the temple which face the farm are actually transparent.

This is the only temple with transparent windows and it was a special request by Pres. Hinckley so that temple patrons could look out and see the Sacred Grove from inside of the temple.

The Palmyra Temple was dedicated on May 25, 1999, and was the first temple in New York. It was also the 100th temple announced to be built and the 77th dedicated temple in operation.

It sits on part of the Smith family’s original 100-acre farm, which holds great significance considering all that Joseph Smith sacrificed to restore the gospel.

The grounds are open for anyone who would like to visit and walk around.

However, the inside of the temple is only open to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints holding temple recommends.

5. Book of Mormon Publication Site

After visiting the church history sites on the outskirts of Palmyra, it’s time to head into town to visit the Book of Mormon Publication Site.

The Grandin Building is a print shop where copies of the Book of Mormon were first printed and bound from 1829 to 1830.

Missionaries are on hand to take visitors on a guided tour of the three-story building.

It is fascinating to learn the painstaking process of printing the Book of Mormon and to hear some of the stories behind the effort.

On the tour, visitors will be able to visit the original bookstore, the printer’s office, the printing press, and the bindery.

While much of the building has been replicated, you will still be able to see some of the original features like the wood floor in the bookstore and some exterior brick walls.

The floors in the printer’s office are also original and you can even see ink splattered on the wood planks. However, the printing press is a replica.

When Joseph Smith approached E.B. Grandin to print copies of the Book of Mormon, he was very hesitant.

He finally agreed to print 5,000 copies. Martin Harris had to mortgage his farm and later sell 151 acres in order to pay the $3,000 printing debt.

The cost of each Book of Mormon was $1.75, which is equivalent to $57 in today’s economy.

The first copies were sold to the public at Grandin’s bookstore, but due to the high cost and surrounding controversy, they didn’t sell many copies. As a result, Martin Harris ended up losing everything.

The process of printing each copy is mind-blowing. The original transcript had no punctuation, so it took 5 months just to rewrite it.

The original transcript is no longer intact, it was hidden and then decayed after Joseph’s death. You can see a copy of the original transcript on display, though.

In order to print the book, each letter was painstakingly typeset by hand and then rolled with ink before going through the press. If there was a single mistake, the process had to be started all over.

It took 10-12 men, working 10-12 hours a day, 6 days a week, for 7 months to print the pages of all 5,000 copies.

It then took 17 months to bind each of the copies by hand. The entire job took 2 years to complete.

The missionaries will demonstrate how each step was done and it is unfathomable to consider what a detailed process it was to make just one single copy.

Although the Book of Mormon wasn’t accepted at first, today there have been more than 176 million copies printed in over 100 languages.

There are other exhibits and displays at the visitor center as well, such as a replica of Emma’s family’s home where they were living when he translated the majority of the book.

You will also see many original paintings on display, such as “The Book of Mormon Comes Forth”.

You may recognize the paintings as many of them are hung on the walls of chapels around the world.

They have also been used in the illustrated copies of the Book of Mormon, so it’s pretty neat to be able to see the originals.

There is also an LDS bookstore next to the Grandin building if you would like to stop for souvenirs.

6. Downtown Palmyra

Palmyra is a small town with a population of around 3,500 people.

Although it looks much different than it did in the early 1800s, there are still many historic buildings lining the main street that have been restored.

The dirt roads have been paved and the horse-drawn carriages have been replaced by cars, but these are still the same streets where Joseph Smith once walked.

Today, Palmyra is a charming town with boutique shops, restaurants, and a handful of family-owned businesses.

If you’re looking for a bite to eat, Happiness Garden serves delicious Chinese food and the owners are so friendly.

The only downside is that the shop is tiny with very limited seating.

You can always order it to-go and eat it at the nearby Union Club Park. Or have a picnic then stroll along the Palmyra Wetland Nature Trail that backs up to the Eerie Canal.

You also won’t want to miss the intersection in town that has a different church on each of the four corners.

You’ll find a Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Fellowship Bible church.

Even back during the time of Joseph Smith, Palmyra was a very religious town with many different sects to choose from. That is still the case today.

There is a small cemetery behind the Methodist church on the northwest corner of the intersection.

Here, you will find the grave of Alvin Smith, Jospeh Smith’s older brother who died only a few years after Jospeh Smith received the First Vision.

Joseph was concerned for the welfare of Alvin’s soul because he died before being baptized. His answer came in a revelation about the redemption for the dead that can be found in D&C 137.

*Related Post: 12 Bucketlist Things to Do in New York at Christmas

7. Martin Harris Farm

Martin Harris has a storied history with the church.

He was a friend of Joseph’s and an early supporter of the restoration work. Martin even acted as his scribe while Joseph translated the Book of Mormon.

He later went on to be one of the Three Witnesses who saw the gold plates. Martin even sacrificed all of his worldly possessions when he sold his farm to pay the debt for the printing costs of the Book of Mormon.

However, most people associate him with being the one who lost the 116 pages of the manuscript and he is often painted in a negative light.

It is true that he disassociated himself from the church and was excommunicated in 1837 due to spiritual and financial conflicts.

However, he was rebaptized about 5 years later and it’s important to remember how much he sacrificed during the early days of the church.

Martin Harris’ farm is located about 1.5 miles outside of Palmyra.

The original home burned down in 1849 and the current home was built in 1850. It is a private residence and is not open for tours, however, you can drive by to see the property where Martin Harris once lived.

Those are the most significant LDS church history sites in Palmyra, New York.

If you are interested, the Peter Whitmer Farm is located about 40 minutes from Palmyra in Fayette, New York.

The Priesthood Restoration Site is located about 2 1/2 hours from Palmyra in Oakland Township (Susquehanna), Pennsylvania.

I would also highly recommend adding a stop at Niagara Falls , Thousand Islands , and Toronto while you are in the area. Click the links for our travel guides.

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