Missouri to Nauvoo to Winter Quarters LDS Church History Tour

Places Visited

INDEPENDENCE MO

Gathering place of the Saints. Area of ancient Garden of Eden. The lost ten tribes of Israel will gather here and build the great City of Zion before the second coming of Christ. A great temple will be constructed here that will eclipse anything we have yet experienced. It will be lighted day and night by a celestial source from above. The Lord will govern the world from this city during the Millennium.

RICHMOND MO

1. Site of Richmond Jail, where the Rebuking of the Guards by Joseph Smith took place. (This event is often erroneously thought to have taken place at Liberty Jail.)
2. Graves of Oliver Cowdery, Mary Whitmer, David Whitmer, Judge Austin King, and other key players in our history.
3. Monument to heroic Alexander Doniphan.

LIBERTY MO

FAR WEST MO

Third and last Missouri home of the saints before being driven out in 1839 by the Extermination Order. Sacred dedicated temple lot. Declared by President David O. McKay to be the site of a future “glorious Millennial city.”

ADAM-ONDI-AHMAN MO

Adam dwelt here after expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Three years before his death, he blessed his posterity and prophesied important future events of this earth. A great meeting will take place here before the Second Coming, attended by millions from both worlds. Every prophet who ever held keys will report his stewardship to Adam and return keys to him. The Lord will then appear and Satan will be stripped of his power. Finally, Adam will deliver the keys to Jesus Christ in preparation for His thousand-year reign.

QUINCY IL

Lovely, upbeat, blessed town that rescued the Saints when driven from Missouri by the Militias (mobs) in the middle of the winter of 1839. Discussion of the monumental importance to the future of our country and of the Lincoln-Douglas debates – see the site where one of these key debates took place.

GREEN PLAINS IL

What is left of the town founded by Reverend Levi Williams, the minister who led the mob that killed Joseph and Hyrum at Carthage. We pass by his grave and read his dire predictions for the Mormons, which have failed to come to pass. We also read Joseph Smith’s counter-prophecies which are being fulfilled every single day.

WARSAW IL

The town that raised the Carthage mob. Also home of Tom Sharp, the editor of the Warsaw Signal. See the immense contrast with blessed Quincy.

NAUVOO IL

Founded in a swamp in 1839; the swamp was drained and a thriving, beautiful city emerged. It was home to the Saints until they were driven from here in 1846, two years after the Prophet’s death at Carthage. The second temple in this dispensation was built here and was later destroyed by fire, then a tornado. The rebuilt Nauvoo Temple was dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley on June 27, 2002 at 5:00pm--the 158th anniversary of the day, and hour, that Joseph and Hyrum were killed at Carthage. Today, visit wonderfully restored homes and shops with senior missionaries to learn about day-to-day life in the 1840s with pioneer skills and faith. Tour the sacred space of the upper room of Joseph’s Red Brick Store along with 2 homes of Joseph & Emma. Take a wagon ride pulled by excellent horses carefully cared for by skilled senior missionaries. Skip rocks on the mighty Mississippi River. Enjoy delightful pioneer entertainment to cap off two+ days here.

Nauvoo Temple

Optional temple sessions in the glorious new Nauvoo Temple (if open on our travel dates) – endowment session and/or baptism sessions. Most (if not all) of our group members attend the temple together. It is a joy to attend with new & dear friends made in the tour group! Temple clothes can be rented, but be sure to take your recommend with you.

Carthage Jail, CARTHAGE IL

Scene of the murders of Joseph and Hyrum Smith at the hands of an angry, vile mob in Illinois. Powerfully moving missionary presentations at this restored site. One cannot come away from this visit without feeling incredible emotions and gratitude for the blessings of the restoration, facilitated by Joseph, the prophet.

IOWA MORMON TRAIL

Follow the Iowa Mormon Trail across this former wilderness stopping at pioneer temporary settlements along the way. Learn of the pioneers’ arduous journey thru storms, mud, and freezing temperatures--plus the good days, as well! Hear about the efforts of today’s Iowans as they discover & preserve this precious history.

MT PISGAH 

Most important & largest Iowa temporary settlement for our pioneers leaving Nauvoo. Beautiful and peaceful setting atop rolling hillsides with a fitting monument to those pioneers who died at the site. Fascinating wagon ruts on the pioneer trail with dug-outs, cabin sites, grave sites.

KANESVILLE IA

Council Bluffs, Iowa: Brigham Young was sustained here as the president of the Church in December of 1848 after a return from the Salt Lake Valley. That same year, a much-humbled Oliver Cowdery made the long, hard journey here to beg to be re-admitted to the Church in front of a thousand saints. He was baptized nearby in Indian Creek by Orson Hyde.

WINTER QUARTERS NE

Just across the Missouri River into Nebraska. Outstanding visitor’s center, pioneer cemetery with 600 unmarked graves, incredible Avard Fairbanks sculpture, and the beautiful Winter Quarters Temple all located adjacent to each other on sacred ground!

Return home, on a flight from Omaha, humbled with appreciation, increased understanding, and a commitment to carry on in faith as resilient as that of our forebears.  

Your reservation is secured with a $100 deposit per seat on a first-come, first-served basis. The balance is due seven weeks prior to departure.  Mail checks to Mormon Heritage Association, 2367 W Goldenpointe Way, West Jordan, UT 84088. Be sure to indicate the tour ID number or departure date and for whom you are paying. Credit cards by phone +5% fee, 801-272-5601 or toll-free 866-335-5601 (card fee waived on initial deposit). Full terms and conditions contained in individual confirmation letters or available pre-deposit, if requested.

Advertised prices include: all meals* (except at airports), nice lodging, deluxe charter bus, tickets to scheduled events, and expert guide services; *SLC GROUP AIRFARE included IF noted until all our air seats are claimed or airline requires purchase, whichever comes first. Air from other cities also available, by request. Individuals may provide own air to/from the tour (must coordinate with group flight schedule). Bus driver tip is additional & collected on tour. No surprise add-on expenses.
*Special dietary needs to be addressed at registration and finalized by 30 days prior to departure.

WAIT LIST/CUSTOM TOURS

If none of the above dates are suitable for your large group or organization, please call us at 801-272-5601 to discuss the possibility of adding a tour to accommodate your schedule. IF YOUR PREFERRED TOUR DATE IS FULL, CALL FOR OPTIONS (wait list, alternate tours).  

GUIDES

Host names are those currently scheduled and most likely to serve. We reserve the right to make changes in tour hosts or adjustments to the tour schedule–which we will do only if absolutely necessary. Tour hosts and tour planners are diligent researchers of the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and are prepared to present the tours in a respectful and agreeable manner conducive to The Church of Jesus Christ’s teachings, attitudes, and direction.

PAYMENT POLICY

Your reservation is secured with a $100 deposit per seat on a first-come, first-served basis. The balance is due 7 weeks prior to departure. Mail checks to Mormon Heritage Association, 2367 W Goldenpointe Way, West Jordan, UT 84088. Be sure to indicate the tour ID number or departure date and for whom you are paying. Credit cards by phone +5% fee (card fee waived on initial deposit), 801-272-5601 or toll-free 866-335-5601. Full terms and conditions contained in individual confirmation letters or available pre-deposit, if requested.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you have to cancel, there is a $50/person cancellation/administrative fee, at minimum. If someone takes your place, payments are refunded less any costs we incur to procure your replacement and $50 cancel/admin fee. If nobody takes your place, you would lose $50 cancel/admin fee and any non-refundable costs at the time of your cancellation.

WHAT'S INCLUDED/NOT INCLUDED

Advertised prices include: all meals* (except at airports), nice lodging, deluxe charter bus, tickets to scheduled events, and expert guide services. SLC GROUP AIRFARE included IF noted until all our air seats are claimed or airline requires purchase, whichever comes first. No surprise add-ons.
*Special dietary needs to be addressed at registration and finalized by 30 days prior to tour. 

NOT included:  any trip insurance*, bus driver tip is additional and collected on tour, airport meals, miscellaneous tipping, souvenirs, personal items, or additional expenses relating to any airline delays, illness, or similar circumstances.  
*Tour members wanting to obtain trip insurance may purchase policies online, at individual discretion, expense, and as desired.

AIR TRAVEL

If not flying with the SLC group (such as using award miles or coming from another city), it is your responsibility to notify MHA upon signup and to coordinate your schedule with the group schedule. Air from other cities also available, by request. Individuals may provide own air to/from the tour (must coordinate with group flight schedule to avoid missing any sites and additional personal expense such as a taxi). Please call for details 801-272-5601, 866-335-5601. 

MAXIMUM ROOM OCCUPANCY

Maximum 4 persons per room.

FIT TO TRAVEL

Registrants accept the responsibility for being in good health and able to walk distances, climb stairs, and be able to independently travel well from early morning into the evening. Sites may not always be accessible to the physically challenged; those needing ambulatory assistance to bring helper(s) with them and will likely find the tour limiting in experience.

SOLO TRAVELERS

Traveling alone?  Would you like help finding a roommate to decrease your tour price? Let us know when you REGISTER and we’ll do what we can to connect you with a compatible roommate. You might just make a new, long-lasting friendship!

TOUR SCHEDULE CHANGES

We reserve the right to make changes/adjustments to the tour schedule–which we will do only if absolutely necessary.

Call 801-272-5601 or REGISTER ONLINE now for THE VERY BEST CHURCH HISTORY TOURS!