Tours

Church History Tour

This is a tour of Church History in general, with a special emphasis on Joseph Smith as a translator, exploring on site and in the evenings elements of translating the Book of Mormon, the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, and the translation of the Book of Abraham.  These are subjects which I have studied in depth, and I delight in being able to share insights about these events and doctrines in the place where they happened. As we focus on this emphasis we will come to see how the translations interacted with revelations, and how together those two things unfolded the restoration with all its covenants, ordinances, and truth. I have also written a book on the First Vision, so we will provide further context and understanding on that splendid event. We will also focus on the principle of consecration and what that looked like in early days and what it looks like for us. Further, we will have a special focus on trying to understand how the Ohio and Missouri eras work together, since they happened at the same time, and this is a seldom understood but crucial aspect of Church History. We will also have a focus on temples, their covenants and the sanctification and godly experiences that are associated with them (I am working on a book on that now).

 

Here is our current itinerary for the October tour, a similar one is available May 29-June7. To be part of it, email us at thescripturesarereal@gmail.com

 

Thursday, Oct. 10, arrive in Syracuse, go to hotel in Seneca Falls

 

Friday, Oct. 11: Sacred Grove, Smith Farm, Grandin Building, Hill Cumorah, Harris Farm.
We will spend a great deal of time on learning about the First Vision and the process of obtaining the plates and the beginning of the translation of the Book of Mormon, drawing on the history of the Smith family to help us understand this. Several things on this day will also start us on our journey of better understanding what consecration looks like for us.

 

Saturday, Oct. 12, Harmony and Fayette
We will especially focus on the translation of the Book of Mormon, and on the New Translation of the Bible (JST), and how they interacted with receiving revelations and priesthood. We will find that both of these places are incredibly significant in terms of both translations, in terms of receiving new truth, and in terms of priesthood and ordinances. We will also begin a focus on the Colesville branch and what we can learn of consecration from their story. We will follow this story throughout our tour.

 

Sunday, Oct. 13, Drive to Hiram OH, do John Johnson Home and Morley Farm
The Johnson home is particularly significant because of the persecutions suffered there, but also because of the translation of the Bible that happened there, and how that brought about incredible revelations, such as Section 76, which unfolded there because of the translation process. We will also visit the Morley Farm, where several significant events took place and where Joseph and Emma lived for a time.

 

Monday, Oc.t 14, Kirtland Temple, Kirtland Sites, Visit to Joseph Smith home

There is so much to focus on here that we can't capture a small portion of it. We will visit the newly opened Smith home near the temple, a home that I helped with during the restoration phase and the phase of creating the dialogue the missionaries use. I will be able to give you some degree of "behind the scenes" insights into this process. This is the home where much of the translation of the Book of Abraham took place, and we will focus on that as well, and also on its connections with establishing temple ordinances. That will also lead us to our temple focus, which will be unique as we go to the newly acquired temple. We will also give special attention to all of the times we know of the Savior appearing in Kirtland. This will be a memorable portion of our trip. We will stay at a period hotel to have a real feel for the time. 

 

Tuesday, Oct. 15, Fly to Kansas City, Independence, stay near Liberty
We will stay near Liberty, at a place where we can do some lectures. I have just finished an intense study of the Missouri period with the leading expert on that period, and am looking forward to adding to what has always already proved to be a fantastic part of this trip. The Missouri era of the church is little understood, but so important. We will focus on principles of Zion, the prophet's suffering and growth, and so much more!

 

Wednesday, Oct. 16, Far West, Adam Ondi Ahman, Richmond, Liberty
We will continue our Missouri focus, and will especially look at the persecutions that led to Joseph's imprisonment and the expulsion of the saints from Missouri. We will more deeply explore the principle of consecration on sites where many tourists don't go. We will also have experiences at the sites that were part of Joseph Smith's imprisonment. 

 

Thursday, Oct. 17, Drive to Nauvoo, see Nauvoo Sites.

While in Nauvoo we will examine more about the publication of the Book of Abraham, and will more fully explore the unfolding of temple understanding and power. We will also enjoy being able to learn from the places Joseph Smith lived that the Church recently acquired.

Nauvoo is a special place and we will take full advantage of this sacred place. 

 

Friday, Oct. 18, Nauvoo sites

 

Saturday, Oct. 19, Carthage Jail, fly home

 

 Total cost is currently estimated at  $3895 (more if it is just one person in a room). This includes the cost of lodging, transportation, 2/3 of your meals, and the flight from Ohio to Missouri. It does not include the cost of flights to Syracus or home from St.Louis, nor about 1/3 of your meals, nor any souvenirs.

 

I cannot express how excited I am about this, given the success of our recent tour and the newly acquired properties. This will be a wonderful opportunity. We make it a small group, so that we can give each of you individualized attention and teaching. Based on our last tour, I think spots for this will fill up fast, so let us know right away if you have some interest, so we can hold a spot for you. We believe this will be the trip of a lifetime, and I am so looking forward to it.

 

We would love it if we could do this with you! --Kerry