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June 5 – 18, 2026
Tour Summary
This is an LDS Tour focusing on the American Covenant that God has made with His people throughout time. America is a choice and promised land to God’s people. We see that He made this covenant with peoples in the Book of Mormon and our Founding Fathers. This covenant has been catalyzed through the Restoration of the LDS Church, and protected by groups like the Knights Templar. This LDS Tour explores it all, from Washington DC and American History sites, to Restoration Sites and Book of Mormon Evidence. Come join us on this one-of-a-kind tour!
As a Bonus: This year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Indpendence. This milestone year offers the perfect opportunity to celebrate and experience America’s Sacred Histories while reflecting on the American Covenant made with God.
Guided by Rod Meldrum & Kris Kimball
Rod L. Meldrum is a best-selling LDS author and international speaker known for his research on Book of Mormon geography and evidences. He authored Exploring the Book of Mormon in America’s Heartland, the top-selling LDS book on the topic, and Prophecies and Promises, which identifies the U.S. as the Promised Land of the latter days. Since 2003, Rod has explored DNA, historical, and geographical connections to the Book of Mormon.
A former co-host of the “Liberty Moms” Radio Show & Podcast, Kris now serves on the Advisory Board of Mount Liberty College. She is the former President of the United Women’s Forum and former Board Member of the Thomas Jefferson Center for Constitutional Studies. Kris loves to travel, seek truth, and explore history in person. She has spent the last 12 years studying ancient history, ancient religion and the Egyptian Hermetic Traditions.
Videos
Dates In the Video Are Now June 5-18, 2026
Tour Includes
Separate Costs
Itinerary
Day 1 – June 5th
Travel Day! Fly from home to meet the group in Washington DC (airport DCA). Check in to the hotel and take some free time to explore Old Alexandria before our Welcome Dinner tonight.
Overnight: Alexandria, VA
Meals Included: Welcome Dinner
One group transfer from the airport to the hotel will be included. This transfer is planned around 5:00pm according to the following flight itinerary: SLC – DCA DL 820 (10:32AM – 4:49PM)
Day 2 – June 6th
Today on our American Covenant tour we explore the DC area, including the below sites and a few of the notable monuments in the city.
A prominent tribute, this memorial stands in recognition of George Washington. Famously, George Washington served as the first President of the United States. However, this monument bears recognition to his status as a leader among the Freemasons – a nod to the American Covenant invoked with him.
Traditionally, this building serves as a museum, educational center, and venue for Masonic events. Freemasonry emphasizes symbolism, often drawing on tools and architectural symbols. For example, the memorial features a neoclassical design, standing at 333 feet, symbolizing the highest degree in Masonry. Easily we can make connections between the American Covenant and Freemasonry.
Mount Vernon is the historic plantation home of George Washington, located in Virginia. It is well-preserved estate on the banks of the Potomac River. Furthermore, the mansion showcases Georgian architecture and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Essentially, it serves as a museum, but it also offers insights into his life, the era in which he lived, and the background from which he came.
A family tomb on the grounds contains the final resting place of George Washington and his wife, Martha, as well as other family members.
Construction of this national building began in 1793 and has undergone several expansions and renovations since. Notably, the iconic dome of the building is topped with the Statue of Freedom.
Visitors can explore the building through guided tours. These tours include access to the Rotunda, Hall of Statues, the Crypt, and other chambers and hallways. A hidden gem of this historic building is the underground tunnel that connects the Capitol Building to the Library of Congress.
Overnight: Alexandria, VA
Meals Included: Welcome Dinner
Day 3 – June 7th
Today on our American Covenant tour we transfer from DC to Philadelphia. This is a 3-hour bus ride between cities. In Philadelphia we continue to expand our knowledge about the sacred history of our Nation and how it relates to the American Covenant.
Christ Church in Philadelphia is one of the most historically rich and spiritually significant churches in the United States. Founded in 1695, it served as the first parish of the Church of England in Pennsylvania and later became a cornerstone of the American Episcopal Church after the Revolution.
Known as the “Nation’s Church,” it was the spiritual home for many Founding Fathers, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and other members of Congress. These leaders attended services here during some of the most critical moments in America’s path to independence. Inside, the original box pews still bear the names of Washington and other notables.
The Liberty Bell is one of America’s most enduring symbols of freedom and independence. Located in Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell Center, just steps away from Independence Hall, this iconic bell originally hung in the Pennsylvania State House.
Though best known for its famed crack, the Liberty Bell’s power lies not in the sound it made, but in the ideals it represents.
Cast in 1752 in London and recast twice in Philadelphia due to cracking, the bell bears a powerful inscription from the Bible: “Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof” (Leviticus 25:10). While it did not ring on July 4, 1776, as popular legend once claimed, it likely rang on July 8th to mark the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Over time, the bell fell into symbolic prominence during the 19th century, particularly as abolitionists adopted it as a rallying emblem in the fight to end slavery.
Often called the birthplace of the United State, within its red-brick walls, some of the most pivotal moments in American history took place here.
It was here that delegates from the thirteen colonies met during the summer of 1776 to debate and ultimately adopt the Declaration of Independence, severing ties with Great Britain. Eleven years later, in the same room, representatives returned to draft and sign the US Constitution, creating a new framework of government that still shapes the nation today.
Built between 1732 and 1753, Independence Hall originally served as the Pennsylvania State House. Its Georgian architecture reflects the colonial era’s refined elegance, but its true significance lies in the bold ideas of liberty, representation, and self-governance that were argued and agreed upon inside.
Overnight: Philadelphia, PA
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 4 – June 8th
Today on our American Covenant tour we transfer from Philadelphia to New York. This is a 3-hour bus ride between cities. In New York we continue to expand our knowledge about the sacred history of our Nation and how it relates to the American Covenant.
Federal Hall is one of the most overlooked, yet profoundly significant landmarks in American history, as well as the American Covenant. Originally built in 1700 as New York’s City Hall, the site became the first capitol of the United States under the Constitution. It was here, on the balcony of the original building, that George Washington took the oath of office on April 30, 1789, becoming the nation’s first President.
Inside, the First Congress convened, drafted the Bill of Rights, and laid the foundation for the new federal government.
Although the original structure was demolished in 1812, the current Greek Revival building replaced it in 1842 and served as the US Custom House and then as a Sub-Treasury. Now it serves as a National Memorial. A key feature being the statue of George Washington standing on the steps outside where he was inaugurated.
Marked as Manhattan’s oldest surviving church building and a quiet, sacred space nestled amid the towering bustle of Lower Manhattan. Miraculously, this church survived the Great Fire of 1776 during the American Revolution, and in 1789, it became a place of worship for George Washington, who attended services here on the day of his inauguration. His pew remains preserved as a historical tribute.
Additionally, St. Paul’s is known as its spot as a sanctuary and center of hope and healing after the traumatic events of September 11, 2001. In the aftermath, St. Paul’s became a round-the-clock refuge for rescue workers, volunteers, and grieving New Yorkers. Cots lined the aisles, boots were nailed to the fence in tribute, and handwritten prayers filled the walls.
Located in at the corner of Pearl and Broad Streets in Lower Manhattan, Fraunces Tavern Museum is a rare and tangible link to the revolutionary roots of the United States. Originally opened in 1762 by Samuel Fraunces, the tavern quickly became a central gathering place for patriots, merchants, and revolutionaries.
It was here, in the Long Room on December 4, 1783, that General George Washington delivered his emotional farewell to his officers, marking the end of the Revolutionary War and his return to private life. That heartfelt moment cemented the tavern’s place in the nation’s founding story.
Overnight: Yonkers, NY
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 5 – June 9th
Today on our American Covenant tour we transfer from New York to Rhode Island and Massachusetts. This is a 3-hour bus ride between cities. In Rhode Island & Massachusetts we continue to expand our knowledge about the sacred history of our Nation and how it relates to the American Covenant.
This mysterious inscribed rock is located in the waters off Pojac Point in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. The stone features a series of angular carvings that resemble Norse runes, and its origins have long intrigued historians, researchers, and those fascinated by pre-Columbian exploration.
Knights Templar Connections:
Some alternative historians and researchers who study Templar traditions have suggested a link between the Knights Templar and the Narragansett Rune Stone. This theory draws on a broader body of legend and lore that posits the Templars may have fled persecution in the fourteenth century and sailed westward across the Atlantic.
The idea is that these sea-faring Templars could have reached North America well before Columbus, bringing with them sacred knowledge, treasures, or records, potentially leaving behind cryptic markers like the Narragansett Rune Stone.
The Templar connection is supported by several lines of interpretation including runic symbology, proximity to the Newport Tower, sacred geography (including ley lines), and oral traditions of the indigenous.
Located in Touro Park, the Newport Tower is one of the more intriguing and debated stone structures in North America.
Within Templar traditions and alternative historical circles, the Newport Tower is often linked to the Knights Templar as evidence of a secret journey to the New World, long before Columbus.
The tower’s round design with eight pillars is reminiscent of Templar churches in Europe, particularly the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, as well as the Convento de Cristo in Tomar, Portugal. This octagonal design was sacred to the Templars, symbolizing resurrection and spiritual rebirth.
Additionally, researchers have noted that key windows and niches in the tower align with solar and lunar events, such as equinoxes and solstices. This is also very similar to many Templar structures in Europe, which often incorporated sacred geometry and celestial symbolism.
Some believe the tower was built under the direction of Prince Henry Sinclair, a Scottish noble with Templar ties who is said to have voyaged to North America around 1398, nearly a century before Columbus. According to this theory, the Newport Tower may have served as an observatory, church or signal point built by Sinclair’s party.
To those who study the esoteric history of the Templars, the Newport Tower is more than stone and mortar, it is a monument to a hidden chapter of history. A symbol of the Templar’s journey west, their survival after the fall of their Order in 1307, and their possible role as guardians of ancient knowledge meant for a new land and a new era.
The Mayflower was a 17th-century English ship that carried 102 passengers, known as the Pilgrims, across the Atlantic Ocean in 1620. These settlers, many of whom were religious separatists, were seeking the freedom to worship as they chose. Originally bound for Virginia, the Mayflower was blown off course and instead landed at Cape Cod.
After exploring the area, the Pilgrims chose to settle in what they named Plymouth, in present-day Massachusetts. Before disembarking, they signed the Mayflower Compact, an agreement to form a self-governing community based on majority rule. This served as both foundational moment in American democratic tradition, but also for the continuing of the American Covenant.
Plymouth Rock is traditionally believed to be the spot where the Pilgrims first stepped ashore. While not mentioned in the original journals or documents of the time, local oral tradition later identified the rock as the landing site. Over the centuries, it has become a symbol of courage, perseverance, and the founding ideals of America.
The National Monument to the Forefathers, located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, is one of the largest granite monuments in the United States and a powerful tribute to the ideals of the Pilgrims who settled Plymouth Colony in 1620. Completed in 1889, the monument honors the values and principles that guided the Pilgrims.
At the center of the monument stands a majestic figure named Faith, who rises 81 feet into the air. Faith points heavenward with her right hand, symbolizing the Pilgrim’s deep reliance on God. In her left hand, she holds the Bible, representing the religious convictions that drove them across the ocean.
Surrounding the central figure are four seated statues that represent key values:
Each seated figure is flanked by smaller reliefs that depict scenes from the Pilgrim’s journey and the founding of Plymouth Colony, including the signing of the Mayflower Compact, the landing at Plymouth Rock, and interactions with Native Americans.
The monument is more than a historical memorial, it is a visual representation of the Pilgrim’s vision for a society built on faith, virtue, wisdom, law, and liberty.
Overnight: Boston, MA
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 6 – June 10th
Lexington and Concord, two small towns in Massachusetts, were the sites of the first battles of the American Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775. These skirmishes marked the outbreak of open armed conflict between the colonies and Great Britain and are famously remembered as the places where the “shot hear ’round the world” was fired.
Lexington:
The confrontation began in the early morning hours, where about 70 colonial militia (Minutemen), stood on the town green to face nearly 700 British troops marching from Boston. The British had been ordered to seize colonial weapons and arrest rebel leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock.
A shot rang out- no one knows who fired first – but the British opened fire, killing eight Minutemen and wounding others. The militia was quickly overrun, but the stand at Lexington symbolized the colonist’s growing resistance.
Concord:
After the clash at Lexington, British troops continued to Concord, where they hoped to destroy a cache of colonial weapons. However, much of the arms had already been moved. At North Bridge in Concord, the colonial militias regrouped and successfully confronted the British forces.
This time the colonists fired back with deadly accuracy, forcing the British to retreat. Along the road back to Boston, colonial militiamen launched guerilla-style attacks, sniping at the British from behind trees, stone walls, and houses, inflicting heavy casualties.
Paul Revere’s House, located in Boston’s historic North End, is the oldest remaining structure in downtown Boston and one of the most famous homes in early American history. Built around 1680, the modest wooden home became legendary as the residence of Paul Revere, a silversmith, patriot, and messenger during the American Revolution.
Revere lived in the house from 1770 to 1800, and it was from this home that he set out on the night of April 18, 1775, to begin his famous Midnight Ride. On that night, he rode through the countryside warning fellow patriots that British troops were on the move, aiming to arrest rebel leaders and seize weapons in Concord.
His ride helped mobilize the colonial militia in time for the battles of Lexington and Concord.
Bunker Hill was the site of one of the first major battles of the American Revolutionary War, fought on June 17, 1775, just a few months after the opening skirmishes at Lexington and Concord. Despite its name, most of the fighting actually took place on nearby Breed’s Hill, but the engagement is forever remembered as the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Colonial forces, made up mostly of New England militia, fortified Breed’s Hill to prevent the British from gaining control of the high ground overlooking Boston. In response, British General William Howe led over 2,000 redcoats in a frontal assault on the hill, hoping to quickly disperse the colonial forces and reassert British control.
The Americans, under the command of Colonel William Prescott, famously held their fire until the enemy was very close. According to tradition, Prescott instructed his men, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” This tactic helped conserve their limited ammunition and allowed their first volleys to be devastatingly effective.
This tragic event took place on March 5, 1770. It played a crucial role in escalating tensions between the American colonists and British authorities leading up to Revolutionary War. At the time, Boston was a hotbed of unrest. British soldiers were stationed in the city to enforce unpopular taxes and maintain order, but their presence often caused friction with the local population.
On that cold evening, a crowd of angry colonists gathered near the Custom House on King Street, taunting and throwing objects at a group of British soldiers guarding the area.
The situation quickly escalated as more colonists joined, shouting insults and throwing snowballs, ice and debris. Feeling threatened and overwhelmed, the soldiers fired into the crowd. Five colonists were killed.
The event was widely publicized and used by colonial leaders like Paul Revere and Samuel Adams as propaganda to fuel anti-British sentiment. Paul Revere’s famous engraving of the massacre, helped unite the colonies against British rule by portraying the soldiers as aggressors firing on a peaceful crowd.
One of the most iconic acts of protest in American history, the Boston Tea Party took place on the night of December 16, 1773. It was a dramatic and defiant response to British taxation policies and helped ignite the flame of revolution across the colonies.
At the heart of the conflict was the Tea Act, passed by the British Parliament earlier that year. Although it actually lowered the price of tea, the law gave the British East India Company a monopoly on selling tea directly to the colonies, cutting out colonial merchants and reinforcing Parliament’s right to tax the colonies without their consent.
To many colonists, it was another example of taxation without representation, and they refused to accept it. The result? 342 chests of tea, over 90,000 pounds, was dumped into the harbor off of these trading vessels.
Overnight: Boston, MA
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 7 – June 11th
The Westford Knight is a mysterious carving found on a granite ledge in Westford, Massachusetts, that many believe represents a medieval knight. The figure is engraved in the stone wearing a suit of armor, complete with a sword and shield, suggesting that a European presence may have reached North America long before Columbus.
One interpretation links the carving to the Knights Templar, or more specifically to Henry Sinclair. This Scottish nobleman is said to have ties to the Knights Templar, as well as have led an expedition to North America long before Columbus. Additionally, this legend suggests a member of the party, Sir James Gunn, died during the expedition and was thus commemorated with this stone carving.
The figure itself appears to show a cross-bearing shield and a broadsword, with detailed markings that suggest intentional craftsmanship. Neary markings, interpreted as a coat of arms, further support the idea that this is not merely colonial graffiti.
This sprawling archaeological site features a series of ancient stone structures, chambers, and alignments that have intrigued researchers, explorers, and mystics for decades. Formerly known as “Mystery Hill,” this complex spans over 30 acres and has drawn comparisons to Stonehenge in England due to its megalithic construction and astronomical alignments.
The site includes large stone slabs, standing stones, carved drains, and subterranean chambers: some of which are aligned with solar, lunar, and astronomical events like the summer and winter solstices. Observers have noted that certain stones line up perfectly with sunrise and sunset points on key calendar dates, suggesting that the builders had a sophisticated understanding of celestial cycles.
Who built these structures? And how does it connect to the American Covenant? Come with us and find out!
This historic site is located in Sharon, Vermont, commemorating the birthplace of Joseph Smith Jr.
Born on December 23, 1805, Joseph Smith’s early life in Vermont is honored through this memorial, which serves as a place of reflection and learning for visitors.
At the heart of the memorial stands a 50-foot granite obelisk, erected in 1905 to mark the centennial of Joseph Smith’s birth. The obelisk’s shaft measures 38.5 feet, symbolizing each year of Joseph Smith’s life. Quarried from Barre, Vermont, the monument is considered a remarkable engineering feat and one of the largest polished shafts in the world.
Adjacent to the monument are the foundations of the original Smith family home, outlined with stones including the original doorstep and hearthstone.
Overnight: Rutland, VT
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 8 – June 12th
We officially begin our transition from our first Sacred History of the American Covenant, to our second: the events of the Restoration. As we begin to discuss early LDS Church History, we can see how these events, and the continuation of the Restoration, have upheld the American Covenant.
While translating the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery prayed to understand the authority to baptize. On May 15, 1829, they were visited by John the Baptist, a resurrected being who conferred upon them the Aaronic Priesthood.
Immediately afterward, they baptized each other in the Susquehanna River, just a short distance from the home where they had been working.
This event marked the first restoration of the priesthood authority in modern times and was the beginning of divinely sanctioned ordinances being performed again on earth.
Shortly after the Aaronic Priesthood was restored, Peter, James, and John appeared to Joseph and Oliver to confer upon them the Melchizedek Priesthood, which includes the authority to bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost and organize the Church.
Josiah Stowell was a prosperous farmer who became an early associate of Joseph Smith. In 1825, Stowell hired young Joseph to assist in a treasure-digging venture in Pennsylvania, based on a local legend about buried Spanish silver. Though Joseph soon convinced Stowell to abandon the effort, the two developed a lasting friendship.
During this period, Joseph met Emma Hale, whose family lived nearby. Emma would later become his wife, and their courtship and marriage were tied to this time working for Stowell. Despite the failed treasure hunt, Stowell remained loyal to Joseph and even testified in his defense during a court appearance in 1826, calling him a man of good character.
Joseph Knight Sr. was a generous and faithful supporter of Joseph Smith and played a major role in the early Restoration. A mill owner and farmer from Colesville, NY, Knight met Joseph around the same time that he was translating the Book of Mormon in Harmony. Deeply impressed by Joseph, Knight provided food, paper, and other needed supplies to help in the translation process. His quiet but constant acts of service allowed Joseph and Emma to continue their work during a time of great poverty.
The Colesville Branch was largely made up of Knight’s relatives and associates. Knight endured the persecutions that followed the Saints throughout New York, Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois, remaining faithful until his death.
Overnight: Sayre, PA
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 9 – June 13th
This is the site where Joseph Smith was directed by the angel Moroni to find the golden plates. These plates contained the record of an ancient people who were directed by prophets in their time, just as the Old World had been according to the Bible. These plates would later be translated into what we now know as the Book of Mormon.
Beginning in 1823, Moroni appeared here to Joseph multiple times over a period of four years, instructing him in spiritual things and preparing him to receive the ancient record. On September 22, 1827, Joseph was finally allowed to take the gold plates from the hill and begin the process of translation.
Located in Palmyra, NY, the Grandin Press is historically significant as the site where the first edition of the Book of Mormon was printed and bound between 1829 and 1830. This endeavor was a pivotal moment in early LDS Church history.
Egbert B. Grandin, a 23-year old printer and publisher of the Wayne Sentinel, initially declined Joseph Smith’s request to print the Book of Mormon, citing concerns over its controversial nature and potential financial risk.
However, after Joseph secured an offer from a Rochester printer, Grandin reconsidered and agreed to print 5,000 copies for $3,000. This agreement was made possible by Martin Harris, who mortgaged his farm to finance the printing costs.
This 100-acre farm was home to the Smith family from 1816-1830. It is notably the site of the First Vision, where a young Joseph saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in a grove of trees not too far from the family’s log cabin.
The farm includes two significant residences: a reconstructed log home, built around 1818, where the Smith family initially lived, and a restored frame home, completed in 1825. The log home is particularly significant as the location where the angel Moroni first visited Joseph Smith on September 21, 1823, informing him of the golden plates’ existence.
The Sacred Grove, a serene forested area adjacent to the homes, is preserved to reflect its 1820 condition. Visitors can walk through the grove on maintained paths, contemplating the profound event that occurred there.
Overnight: Palmyra, NY
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 10 – June 14th
In the morning we attend Sacrament services in Palmyra before departing for Kirtland, Ohio. This is a 3.5-4 hour drive, allowing plenty of time for additional information about the American Covenant and sites to be shared by our guides. As we approach Kirtland, we will make a stop at the Dunkirk Lighthouse – dipping our toe into another Sacred History of the American Covenant.
Perched on the southern shore of Lake Erie in western New York, Dunkirk Lighthouse is one of the oldest active lighthouses on the Great Lakes. Originally established in 1826 and reconstructed in 1875, the lighthouse served as a vital guide for ships navigating this inland sea.
The land it occupies has deeper significance for those exploring the American Covenant and the land’s potential connection to sacred scripture. This area, marked by its proximity to the Great Lakes and intricate waterways, has drawn the attention of researchers who believe that certain geographical features of the region resemble descriptions of the Book of Mormon.
One such feature is the “narrow neck of land” described in the text: a strategic and narrow stretch connecting two major bodies of water, separating the land northward from the land southward. The region between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, particularly the Niagara Peninsula, first this description closely.
Additionally, surrounding Dunkirk are numerous archaeological sites, including earthworks, burial mounds, and remnants of ancient habitation, all evidence of thriving civilizations that predate European contact.
Overnight: Mentor, Ohio
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 11 – June 15th
Kirtland, Ohio is a place of deep spiritual and historical significance in early LDS Church History. It was the first gathering place of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints after its organization in 1830 and served as the Church headquarters from 1831 to 1838.
During this period, the young Church experienced remarkable growth, intense persecution, and powerful spiritual experiences that helped shape its future.
One of the most sacred landmarks in Kirtland is the Kirtland Temple, the first temple constructed in this dispensation. Built under difficult circumstances between 1833 and 1836, the temple was a monumental achievement of faith and sacrifice. Shortly after its dedication, it became the site of profound heavenly manifestations, including visitations from Jesus Christ, Moses, Elias, and Elijah, as recorded in D&C 110.
Kirtland was also the setting for numerous revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Many sections of the Doctrine and Covenants were revealed here, providing guidance and direction for leaders and members alike.
Institutions such as the School of the Prophets, the first bishop’s storehouse, and early missionary training all began in Kirtland. It was a time of both great spiritual power and significant trials, including financial hardship and internal conflict, which eventually led to the Saint’s departure.
As part of our tour we will visit all the main sites, including the Temple, Joseph & Emma Home, Historic Kirtland, the Visitor’s Center, Cemetery, and more.
Overnight: Heath, Ohio
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 12 – June 16th
Join us as we explore these remarkable mounds, intricately tied to the evidence of the Book of Mormon and the origins of the American Covenant. Unlike other Hopewell sites, this location stands out for its lack of fortification and militaristic features. Instead, its construction suggests a time of profound peace and harmony. This notion, combined with carbon dating of the mounds, leads us to believe that these ceremonial sites was erected following Christ’s visitation to the inhabitants.
The Great Circle Earthwork, located in Newark, Ohio, is one of the most impressive and well-preserved remnants of ancient Native American architecture in the United States.
Built by the Hopewell culture around 2,000 years ago (circa 100-400 AD), the earthwork forms a nearly perfect circle of 1,200 feet in diameter with earthen walls rising as high as 14 feet and a surrounding moat or ditch that adds to its grandeur.
At the center of the Great Circle is a raised mound believed to be a ceremonial platform or burial site, and the entire structure includes an entranceway that aligns with specific solar and lunar events. The precision of these alignments suggests and advanced understanding of astronomy and a deeply rooted connection between earth, sky, and the sacred.
One of the most extraordinary and enigmatic structures built by the ancient Hopewell culture. The Great Octagon is part of the larger Newark Earthworks complex. This massive geometric formation consists of an octagonal enclosure connected to a circular earthwork known as the Observatory Circle. Together, they span nearly 50 acres, with walls that rise up to 6 feet high and extend for over 14,000 feet in length.
What makes the Great Octagon especially remarkable is its precise astronomical alignment. Scholars have determined that the layout of the octagon and circle tracks the 18.6 year lunar cycle, specifically marking the northernmost point of the moonrise: a rare and complex astronomical event.
The Octagon functioned as a kind of ancient lunar observatory, used to mark time, seasons, and possibly sacred ceremonial occasions. The scale and mathematical accuracy of the Great Octagon rival even some of the most famous ancient monuments in the world.
This national historic park preserves some of the most remarkable prehistoric earthworks in North America. Built by the Hopewell culture between 200 BC and 500 AD, these vast ceremonial sites reflect a society known for its spiritual complexity, artistic achievement, and far-reaching trade networks.
The Hopewell people (or Nephites) constructed massive geometric earthworks using simple tools and communal labor, all with extraordinary precision.
Overnight: Heath, Ohio
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 13 – June 17th
Fort Ancient is one of the largest and most impressive ancient hilltop enclosures in North America. Constructed by the Hopewell culture around 2,000 years ago, this sprawling earthwork complex consists of over 18,000 feet of earthen walls that enclose more than 100 acres along a bluff overlooking the Little Miami River.
Despite the name, it was not a military fort; rather, it likely served as a ceremonial and social center for gatherings, rituals, and possibly astronomical observation.
The Ark Encounter is a Christian-themed attraction featuring a full-scale replica of Noah’s Ark as described in the Bible. Opened on July 7, 2016, the Ark measures 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, making it one of the largest timber-frame structures in the world.
Inside the Ark, visitors can explore three decks filled with exhibits that bring to life the biblical account of the Great Flood. These displays include life sized models of Noah and his family, and the animals, as well as explanations of how the Ark could have been constructed and maintained.
The exhibit aims to provide a plausible interpretation of the Genesis narrative, addressing questions about animal care, living quarters, and food storage during the voyage.
Beyond the Ark itself, the attraction offers a variety of experiences, including the Ararat Ridge Zoo, zip lines, a virtual reality theater, and a timber-frame restaurant. These features are designed to provide educational and entertainment opportunities for visitors of all ages.
Overnight: Cincinnati, Ohio
Meals Included: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner
Day 14 – June 18th
Today we depart from Cincinnati and head home, taking with us all the knowledge we have learned about the American Covenant and the sacred histories behind it.
Meals Included: Breakfast
The hotel has an airport shuttle, allowing guests flexibility with their return flights.
Payment Terms: a $300 pp deposit is required at the time of booking. Final Payment is due 90 days before tour departure.
**this tour is based on a minimum of 20 passengers and a maximum of 40 passengers
Legacy Tours and Travel reserves the right to make changes to the tour, as needed. Tour itinerary and inclusions are subject to change based on availability.
Additional Resources –
5 Mysterious Secrets of the US Capitol: The US Capitol is one of America’s most iconic landmarks, but beneath its grandeur lies a trove of mysterious secrets and untold stories… Read More
What is the American Covenant?: Rooted in the idea that the United States has a special relationship or agreement with God, expressing that America has been chosen or blessed by God’s hand for a particular reason… Read More
The Holy Grail is a Family Tree?: We tend to think about the Knights Templar with many different objectives, but the primary is that of finding and protecting the Holy Grail. What if it isn’t a cup, what if it is a bloodline… Read More
America in the Book of Mormon – Prophecy, Pilgrims, & Covenants: Discover verses from the Book of Mormon that prophecy about the Promised land of America. Learn how the Pilgrims and other groups were lead here… Read More
Book of Mormon Geography – Significant to Belief: When Christ visited the Nephites, He reminded them that they had been given THIS LAND for their inheritance… Read More
Potawattomie Indians Astounding Visit in 1843: In this account, they described how they had been led to find Joseph Smith and stand testament to his role as a prophet. This was related in their ancestry in the ancient… Read More
