lds historical sites tours

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Palmyra-Kirtland

Inspirational church history.

Missouri - Nauvoo - Winter Quarters

Places of great importance.

The Ultimate LDS Church History Tour

Sharon to Palmyra to Kirtland

Indepth history with karl ricks anderson.

Enjoy An In-depth Study of Kirtland

Experience the Holy Land

England / Wales

Church history in the british isles.

Trek to Zion

Winter quarters to salt lake.

Cradle of the Restoration

Where it all began.

Scotland and Wales

Experience church history in scotland and wales.

Journeys of Paul

Mediterranean cruise.

Art & Faith

England/Wales

Awesome Israel

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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LDS Church History Tours

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Church history tour - private tour for the joel tennuchi group - 12-day land tour.

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

Church History Tours
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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

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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Nauvoo - Missouri - Winter Quarters Tour

The Things of God are of Deep Import

Tour Summary

After leaving Ohio, the Mormons were driven in Missouri, until they arrived in Nauvoo. Here they built a beautiful city unto the Lord, with a Temple at its center.

This tour focuses on “Zion” in Jackson County, Nauvoo and Carthage, as well as the beginning of the trek west in Winter Quarters. The restoration was completed here and the Saints prepared to move where they might begin to build the Kingdom of God. This tour begins in Kansas City and ends in Omaha.

View More Nauvoo - Missouri - Winter Quarters Photos

The Nauvoo Tour:

Best enjoyed in summer or winter, unique experiences.

The initial call to settle in Zion would serve as one of the greatest motivating factors for thousands of saints across the world.

You will see Zion, the place designated for the Saints to build a temple in preparation for the return of Jesus Christ to the earth. You will experience the great contrast of Liberty Jail, the cornerstones of Far West, and the beautiful valley where Adam rose to bless his posterity. You will see what the saints built out of a swamp in Commerce and where the greatest doctrines of the restoration were restored. The homes and gardens stand as witness to the events of this sacred place.

To stand on the banks of the Mississippi river on February 4 th , the very anniversary of when the saints left Nauvoo is a thrilling experience. You will silently revel in the spirit of Carthage Jail and the sacred homestead of the Smith Family graveyard. You will see what they built, you will see how they showed their faith and how the Kingdom of God was worth more than any other thing. You will experience Iowa, you will see, first-hand, why it took them months to cross that state.

You will understand why winter quarters is one of the most sacred places on earth, for those who died there, are never to be forgotten.

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.

Your 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 Kansas City and enjoy Jackson County, Missouri

Day 2, Friday: Jackson County, Liberty Jail, Far West, Adam ondi Ahmen

Day 3, Saturday: Nauvoo and the Temple

Day 4, Sunday: Church in Nauvoo and Carthage Jail

Day 5, Monday: Nauvoo

Day 6, Tuesday: Walk Down Trail of Hope on Anniversary of Saints Leaving Nauvoo. Travel across Iowa

Day 7, Wednesday: Winter Quarters and Kanesville

Day 8, Thursday: Fly Home

We can do trips to Nauvoo 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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Memories That Last A Lifetime- SAUNDERS TOURS

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The Trails of Joseph Tour 2024

LDS Church History Tour

The Church Acquires The Kirtland Temple and More!!!

A kirtland temple tour like never before.

“We are deeply honored to assume the stewardship of these sacred places, documents, and artifacts." --President Russell M. Nelson

Nauvoo Like You've Never Seen it Before!!!

Joseph Smith Nauvoo properties turned over to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Now you can even have a tour through the Red Brick Store!

ThE Trails of Joseph Tour

July 2024 tour.

This tour runs July 9-19 and will include the incredible Nauvoo and British Pageants. You will visit all the well-known sites, like the Sacred Grove, the Kirtland Temple, the Joseph Smith Birthplace, Carthage Jail, and so much more. But what makes us different, is that we will also visit many lesser-known sites that have a powerful history and story to tell. Please see the Highlight Sheet, Application, and Tour Information documents below.

Double occupancy $2,149 Quad $1,768 Triple $1,895 Single $2,955

Experienced Church History Tour Guide--Daren Saunders is a retired Seminary and Institute teacher of 30 years and has been directing Church History tours to these sites for 20 years.
Lesser-known sites that have incredible stories to tell along with the well-known sites
Related hymns and scriptures with sites
Eleven Days, Ten Nights, Deluxe Hotel Accommodations
Deluxe Motor Coach Transportation Throughout the Tour

September/October 2024 tour

This tour runs September 24-October 4 and will follow the same itinerary as the July tour, other than neither of the pageants in Nauvoo will be seen as they only run in July. Crowds will be smaller, temperatures cooler, and the autumn leaves should be beautiful!!! Please see the Highlight Sheet, Application, and Tour Information documents below.

October 2024 tour (FULL)

This tour runs October 8-18 and will follow the same itinerary as the July tour, other than neither of the pageants in Nauvoo will be seen as they only run in July. Crowds will be smaller, temperatures cooler, and the autumn leaves should be beautiful!!! Please see the Highlight Sheet, Application, and Tour Information documents below.

Airfare not included. Compare to other tours and see just how low we are!!!!

Tour Highlights and applications

Highlight Sheet--July 2024 (docx)

TOUR APPLICATION--July 2024 (docx)

Highlight Sheet--Oct 2024 (docx)

TOUR APPLICATION--Oct 2024 (docx)

The Trails of Joseph Tour 2024--Tour Description and Information (pdf)

SAUNDERS TOURS--Participant Reviews (pdf)

Highlight Sheet--Sept 2024 (pdf)

TOUR APPLICATION--Sept 2024 (pdf)

High School Senior church history tour

Sacred sites, thrilling experiences.

Church History sites of early Restoration: Sacred Grove, Hill Cumorah, Historic BOM Publication site, Priesthood Restoration site, Susquehanna River, Kirtland Temple, Johnson Farm, and sites in historic Kirtland, Ohio and more!!!

Broadway show (Lion King, Aladdin, or Wicked) and NYC favs: Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, 911 Museum, Empire State Bldg, Central Park, Times Square, Manhattan LDS Temple (outside)

Cedar Point Amusement Park, Niagara Falls (including Maid of the Mist or Cave of the WInds), Pro Baseball Game

TOUR HOST and directors

Director--mark spencer, tour host--daren saunders.

Mark Spencer grew up in Ogden and graduated from Weber High. After attending Utah State University for one year, he served full-time in the Washington Seattle Mission, Spanish speaking. He says he wisely convinced Laura Nelson to marry him. They now have four beautiful children and live in Plain City. Brother Spencer has taught seminary in Evanston, Wyoming, and in Ogden at the Bonneville Seminary and at the Ogden Institute. Additionally, he has served as an area coordinator and institute instructor in Longmont, Colorado, and taught institute at Colorado State University in Fort Collins and currently teaches institute at the Ogden Institute of Religion. Brother Spencer loves to teach the gospel wherever and whenever he can, including directing and teaching many sessions of Especially for Youth throughout his thrity-three year career in church education. He loves sports, computers, hunting, fishing, and traveling. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the foundation for his life, and he attributes anything good he has ever done to his relationship with the Lord.

Daren taught Seminary and Institute for 30 years at

various locations in Northern Utah and Oregon. He enjoyed teaching at EFY/FSY for several years and has directed Church History

Tours for 20 years. He married his sweetheart, Paula Neuenswander, in the Salt Lake Temple and they

have been married for 33 years. They have been blessed with 4 w

have been married for 33 years. They have been blessed with 4 wonderful children, 2 beautiful granddaughters and 1 grandson.

Director--Alan Mueller

Alan taught Seminary and Institute in Northern Utah for more than 30 years and is currently still volunteer teaching at Weber State Institute.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT SHEET and Application

See Highlight Sheet for Pricing. Send in the application with deposit. As low as $1,699 per person!!!

Highlight Sheet--HS Grad Tour 2024 (pdf)

HS Grad--TOUR APPLICATION--2024 (pdf)

May 25-June 1, 2024

Faith built and friendships developed.

This tour will be full of fun and spiritual experiences with memories to last a lifetime!!!

About SAunders tours

Personal touch.

Your tour will have many things that will make you feel we planned it just for you.

We are with you the entire tour to make sure things run smoothly and you can just relax and enjoy.

With two decades of experience directing tours and 30 years of teaching Seminary and Institute, we promise you the trip of a lifetime!

Unique site visits

In addition to the sites you'd expect to visit, we love to show you many favorites not as well known.

Photo Gallery

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Special Requests Available

For small group tours, we can customize an itinerary to emphasize your interests. If you have a special request, send us a message, and we will be sure to get back to you soon.

SAUNDERS Tours

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Morris Murdock Escorted Tours

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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 Journal of the Trail Bus Tour with Stewart Glazier

September 23-28, 2024

Salt Lake City, UT; Cheyenne, WY; Scottsbluff, NE; Casper, WY; Green River, WY;

6 days 5 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;

*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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Making Mormon Church History Come Alive

LDS Family Travels

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! Our guidebooks and tours are designed to provide you and your family with informative, uplifting travel experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

Hand Picked Tours

Becky has already done the work for you – you will maximize your time and money as you visit key Church history sites throughout the central and eastern United States and Canada.

Expert Guides

Becky’s extensive knowledge of LDS Church historical sites - Nauvoo, Kirtland, Palmyra and dozens of other well-known sites enables her to educate and uplift travelers.

Travel Guidebooks

The LDS Family Travel Guides are the must-have guides. Save time, money and stress on your next visit to LDS historical sites, these guidebooks are the only resource you’ll need.

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!

Church History Tours
Related Websites

PO Box 970522 Orem, UT 84097

801-923-2448

What to Expect When You Visit the Church’s Historic Sites in Ohio

On march 5, 2024, the church acquired the kirtland temple. it will be open for public tours beginning march 25. this page will be updated throughout the transition. , visiting with a group request a reservation for your class, bus tour, or other group. submit a request here ..

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers guided tours of several historic sites in and around Kirtland, Ohio. As you experience them, you can gain a deeper understanding of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. You can learn about prophetic leadership, revelation, bestowal of priesthood keys, the importance of temples, and the dedication of early members of the Church.

The majority of the places at these sites are accessible for visitors who are in wheelchairs or who walk with difficulty. However, a few of the outdoor paths are not paved, and two of the historic buildings have upper floors but no elevators. Missionaries at the sites will adapt their presentations to accommodate the needs of all visitors.

Trained service animals are allowed at the Church’s historic sites in Ohio, including inside historic buildings. However, emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals and pets are not allowed. Please refer to the Church’s Service Animal Guidelines for more information.

The visitors’ center is open all year, but some of the other buildings may not be accessible during inclement weather. To check schedules and the availability of the sites, call 1-440-256-9805 or click here .

Core Experience

1. kirtland, ohio, historic kirtland.

Your visit to Historic Kirtland begins at the visitors’ center. Missionaries will invite you to watch a 24-minute movie about the Latter-day Saints in Kirtland before they lead you on a tour of historic buildings. If you choose to experience the entire tour, you will visit Newel K. Whitney’s store, Newel and Ann Whitney’s home (pictured here), a sawmill, an ashery, and the Johnson Inn. You will visit places where Joseph Smith received revelations and where Latter-day Saints worked together to build a temple.

Joseph and Emma Smith Home

North of the cemetery is a home that once belonged to Joseph and Emma Smith. The structure of the home was recently restored to the way it was when the Smith family lived here.

Approximately 30-minute guided tours are available of the lower floor of the home. The tour is fully wheelchair accessible.

Admission is free, but tickets are required to tour the Joseph and Emma Smith Home. Tickets become available starting at 7:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) the day you’d like to visit. Visit historickirtland.eventbrite.com to reserve your tickets.

Historic Morley Farm

About a mile from Historic Kirtland is a place where Isaac and Lucy Morley once ran a large farm. The Morleys hosted Joseph and Emma Smith on their property from March 1831 to September 1831. While Joseph and Emma lived there, Joseph received 13 revelations that are now recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants. When you visit the site, you can go to a place where Joseph presided at a meeting of priesthood holders. To arrive there, you will need to take a short self-guided uphill walk, less than two-tenths of a mile, through a grove of trees.

Plan to spend 30 minutes or less at the Historic Morley Farm. Picnic tables on the property are available for you to use.

Kirtland Temple

For Latter-day Saints in Kirtland in the late 1830s, the temple was a sacred place of worship, learning, and community gathering. The temple still stands today, less than a half mile from Historic Kirtland.

For decades, Community of Christ preserved and cared for the Kirtland Temple. On March 5, 2024, ownership and stewardship of this beloved landmark was transferred to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tours of the temple begin at the Kirtland Temple Visitors’ Center, located at 7809 Joseph Street. They begin every 30 minutes and last approximately 60 minutes. On Monday through Saturday, the first tour is at 10:00 a.m. and the last is at 4:00 p.m. On Sunday, the first tour is at 1:00 p.m. and the last is at 4:00 p.m. Generally, groups are limited to 25 visitors. However, adaptations can be made for larger groups. To make a reservation, please call 1-440-256-9805 or click here .

Historic Johnson Home in Hiram, Ohio

After Joseph and Emma Smith lived with the Morleys, they moved to Hiram, Ohio, where they lived for a time with John and Elsa Johnson. The Johnson home was a place of conversion, revelation, Church administration, adversity, and devotion. It has been carefully restored to its condition when Joseph and Emma lived there.

The Johnson home is southeast of Historic Kirtland, about a 45-minute drive away. If you want to take a complete tour of the home, plan to spend 30 minutes to an hour. If you do not have that much time, missionaries can adjust the tour to meet your needs.

Other Options in Kirtland

1. historic cemetery.

A historic cemetery is located just north of the temple. A number of early Latter-day Saints are buried there.

2. Stannard Quarry (at the Chapin Forest Reservation)

The Stannard Quarry, now part of the Chapin Forest Reservation, is located about two miles south of Historic Kirtland. It features a short trail with interpretive signs. In the 1830s, workers extracted stone from this quarry for the Kirtland Temple and other structures in the area. The site is no longer used as a quarry, but drill marks remain in the stone, revealing the quarrying process.

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These Church historic sites are offering virtual tours

Though Church historic sites have been closed to physical visitors due to COVID-19, many missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are finding ways to connect people to the spirit of the historic sites—and you don’t even have to leave your living room.

Several historic sites are now offering virtual tours. Check out some of them on the alphabetical list below.

Carthage Jail

Length: 20–30 minutes
Method: Zoom
Note: Some tours are also offered in Spanish and Portuguese.
Request tours here: https://nauvootours.as.me/schedule.php

Grandin Building: Book of Mormon Publication Site

Length: 40 minutes
Request tours here: https://nyandpahistoricsites.as.me/schedule.php

Johnson Home

Length: 30 to 90 minutes
Request tours here: https://go.oncehub.com/historickirtlandtours

Joseph Smith Birthplace

Length: About 50 minutes long
Request tours here: https://calendly.com/josephsmithbirthplace

Historic Kirtland

Historic nauvoo .

Length: 15–20 minutes

Independence Visitors' Center

Request tours here: https://calendly.com/missouriareahistoricsites/independence

Laie Hawaii Temple and Visitors' Center

Length: 30–50 minutes
Request tours here: https://calendly.com/laiehawaiitemplevisitorscentertour

Liberty Jail

Request tours here: https://calendly.com/Missouri/libertyjail

Mormon Battalion Center at San Diego

Length: 45 minutes
Request tours here: https://calendly.com/mormonbattalionhs
Note: Tours are also offered in Spanish and Mandarin .

Mormon Trail Center at Winter Quarters

Length: 30–40 minutes
Method: Web conferencing details provided upon confirmation.
Request tours here: https://calendly.com/trailcenterschedule/mormon-trail-center-virtual-tours

Priesthood Restoration Site

Sacred grove, st. george tabernacle.

Length: 30 minutes
Request tours here: https://calendly.com/sghstabernacle/virtual-tour

Temple Square

Length: 10-60 minutes
Method: Zoom or Facebook Messenger
Request tours by emailing [email protected] or calling (801) 240-8945.

► You may also like: 17 historic Church sites are getting a name update. Here's why

Lead image: The Joseph and Emma Smith Home at the Priesthood Restoration Site, Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

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June 17 - July 1, 2024

Lds church history tour.

UNDERSTANDABLY, OUR FLAGSHIP TOUR, THIS UNFORGETTABLE MIX OF CHURCH HISTORY AND AMERICAN HISTORY IS AN UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL FAITH PROMOTING, PATRIOTIC EXPERIENCE.

SHARON, VT - BIRTHPLACE OF JOSEPH SMITH
HARMONY, PA - PRIESTHOOD RESTORATION SITE, HALE AND SMITH HOME
PALMYRA, NY - SACRED GROVE, HILL CUMORAH,
EB GRANDIN PRINT SHOP & MORE
PETER WHITMER FARM
KIRTLAND, OH - NEWEL K. WHITNEY HOME AND STORE, JOHN JOHNSON FARM, TEMPLE, & MORE
NAUVOO, IL - TEMPLE SESSION, HISTORICAL SITES, VISITORS CENTER, MUSICAL, & MORE
CARTHAGE JAIL
MISSOURI SITES - FAR WEST, ADAM-ONDI-AHMAN,
LIBERTY JAIL , INDEPENDENCE
WASHINGTON DC
SPRINGFIELD, IL - LINCOLN'S PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM AND TOMB
NIAGRA FALLS - MAID OF THE MIST FALLS RIDE
AMISH COUNTRY - DINNER IN AN AMISH HOME WITH OUR FRIENDS, THE YODER'S, SHIPSHEWANA
MARKET AND SHOPPING
HERSHEY, PA - HERSHEY CHOCOLATE FACTORY

ALL THIS AND SO MUCH MORE FOR ONE UPFRONT PRICE OF PER PERSON/DBL OCCUPANCY $3,899

Check Out What's Included in our One-of-a-kind tours

All airfare and ground transportation (no hidden costs)
2 Meals a Day included
Washington, DC Monuments & Arlington Cemetery
Experience Gettysburg with a Licensed Battlefield Guide
See Niagara Falls up close and personal with Maid of the Mist boat ride
Lincoln Museum Springfield, IL
Fun, Unique Dining Experiences
Extra Day in Amish Country - Swap Meet, Shopping & Fun!
Enjoy Dinner at an Authentic Amish Home with our friends, the Yoder's
$100 per person discount (if booked by March 31)

Other Tours

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