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Call Today: 801-683-0123
April 10th – 19th, 2027
Guided by Jared Lambert
Jared Lambert is a historical linguist specializing in the Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near East. A former U.S. Army linguist, he worked as a supervising linguist over sacred materials for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, working directly with temple-related content. He holds seven degrees in higher education focusing on linguistics, history, and religious studies and is currently completing a PhD using historical linguistics.
His work focuses on diachronic language development and how translation, symbolism, and later theological frameworks reshape earlier biblical traditions, emphasizing on covenant, priesthood, temple theology, and the Divine Feminine. Through his platform Veiled Roots, Jared teaches courses that break down the linguistics of scripture, helping modern readers engage the text with greater historical and linguistic precision. He also creates public-facing content under @JRichardLambert.
Tour Summary
Discover a unique perspective on LDS Church History by exploring the development of temple theology in the early Church. This tour invites participants to trace how key doctrines and practices unfolded over time, revealing a historical arc that is often overlooked.
As we visit significant locations, you will see how early events, revelations, and environments contributed to the formation of temple worship as it is understood today. Each stop is thoughtfully connected to a broader developmental framework drawn from Covenants in Motion (by Jared Lambert), highlighting the progression of temple theology from its earliest expressions to its more formalized structure.
From foundational visions to the growth of communal organization and the emergence of sacred rituals, this tour helps participants see how each moment builds upon the last. By the end, you will gain a deeper understanding of how these interconnected experiences shpaed a cohesive and evolving temple tradition.
Included
Separate Costs
Itinerary
Day 1 – April 10th
Depart from home and travel to Rochester, NY. Upon arrival, make your way to our hotel and get checked in. Meet with the group at 7pm for our Welcome Meeting!
Meals Included: Welcome Dinner
Overnight: Rochester, NY
Day 2 – April 11th
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight: Palmyra, NY
At the heart of LDS Church History is the little town of Palmyra, New York. Here, a young farm boy was finding his way in the world, seeking for a connection to God and Jesus Christ. And it was here that many miraculous events occurred, ultimately leading to the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This morning we will have the unique opportunity to attend sacrament meeting in the countryside of where it all began. After the meeting we will enjoy a catered lunch at the pavillion before walking over to the grounds of the Palmyra Temple.
Those who would like to change out of their church clothes should do so inside the building before departure.
We turn the time over to the Church History Site Missionaries as they lead us through the Smith Family Farm. This includes a visit through the Log Cabin, White Frame Home, & Workshop.
Log Cabin – This is where Joseph was visited by the Angel Moroni and first told about the plates as a young boy.
White Frame Home – Joseph’s older brother, Alvin, built this home before his premature death. Several spots in this home were used as hiding places for the plates once obtained.
Workshop – This old shed was used as a hiding place for the plates at one time or another, avoiding detection from angry mobs.
After the missionary-guided tour, guests will have time to walk and explore the paths of the Sacred Grove. This is a great time for personal reflection and prayer.
At the Hill Cumorah guests will have free time to explore the visitor’s center and climb to the top of the Hill.
At the Visitor’s Center guests will find some interactive exhibits, as well as a short film about Moroni and his journey to preserve the plates.
Visiting the monument at the top of Hill Cumorah can be done by taking a paved pathway, a scenic route with switchbacks through the forest, or a golf cart ride provided by one of the Church History Site Missionaries.
Here we see a portion of the land that Martin Harris owned in the 1830’s. Much of this land was mortgaged or sold to support the progress of the early LDS church, including the first printings of the Book of Mormon.
The home on the property is now a private residence and does not allow internal visits. However, guests will find the exterior of the home fascinating with it’s unique style of decor.
EB Grandin reluctantly agreed to print and publish the first copies of the Book of Mormon. His old printing shop is now owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and is staffed by Church History Site Missionaries.
Here, the missionaries will lead us through different sections of the print shop, explaining the complex process that printing required in the 1830’s. Guests will have time afterwards to explore Palmyra further with free time for dinner in the town.
Day 3 – April 12th
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight: Hornell, NY
The Whitmer family became pinnacle in LDS Church History, starting with their role in housing Joseph Smith as he finished the translation, and being the site of the official organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
At the Whitmer Farm we will have the opportunity to enjoy a film regarding some of the miracles that took place at the site, leading Joseph to the Whitmers. Afterwards there will be time to explore the old Whitmer Home, and some of the surrounding property. Inside the home is where the church was officially organized on April 6, 1830.
Mennonite culture is apparent in upstate New York, offering fresh produce, and homemade snacks and treats. Our group will stop at a local market run by a group of Mennonites. Here, guests have the opportunity to purchase lunch from their Deli (sandwhiches, soups, & salads), as well as enjoy the various snack options and fun products.
Harmony, Pennsylvannia was the site of several key moments in LDS Church History. The most famous of which is the restoration of the Priesthood. However, before that was the meeting of Joseph Smith and Emma Hale. Beginning their courtship while Joseph worked for Josiah Stowell in town, the two were soon wed, at the dismay of Emma’s parents.
Following some persecution in New York, Joseph and Emma returned to the Hales and sought refuge. Here, they were able to make their first real home together and begin the translation of the Book of Mormon.
The Priesthood Restoration Site houses several key buildings and sites related to LDS Church History. A few of which are the Hale Family Home, Joseph & Emma Home, Cemetery, and Baptismal Site.
Hale Family Home – This was the childhood home of Emma Hale Smith. It was here she lived while in courtship with Joseph.
Joseph & Emma Home – The first home of Joseph and Emma as a married couple. Most of the translation of the Book of Mormon ocurred here, inspiring questions of authority to act in the name of God and how baptisms should be carried out.
Cemetery – While Joseph and Emma lived in Harmony, they were expecting their first child. Tragically, the baby died soon after birth. Here in the cemetery is where Joseph and Emma buried their poor child, affectionately named “Little Alvin,” after Joseph’s older brother.
Sugar Bush – All around the site there are thickets of sugar bush. Guests are encouraged to walk through the sugar bush, imagining where Joseph and Oliver would have had their angelic visitations to restore both the Aaronic and Melchezidek priesthoods.
Baptismal Site – Near the Priesthood Restoration Site is the Susquehanna River. It would have been here that Joseph and Oliver took turns baptizing each other after receiving the Aaronic priesthood from John the Baptist.
Day 4 – April 13th
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight: East Lake, OH
Here in Kirtland, the early saints of the Restored Church began to gather. As they flocked to join the ranks of the Church, the town of Kirtland began to quickly grow. Many would arrive without preparation of a home, relying on the kindness of others to house them as they built homes in the area.
Many angelic and divine visitations and miracles occurred here in Kirtland, arguably making it one of the most sacred sites in all of LDS Church History.
Here, a little patch of history is preserved among the old homes and buildings of early Saints. Most famous among them are the home of Newel K Whitney, as well as his general goods store, and the old saw mill.
Newel K Whitney Home – The Whitney family home is a well preserved site, with many interesting artifacts on display. It was here that Joseph healed the crippled woman’s hand, as well as other miracles.
Newel K Whitney Store – Inside the store, in the upper rooms, the School of the Prophets was held by Joseph and his apostles. It was also here that events inspiried the revelation in Doctrine & Covenants 88 was received, concering the Word of Wisdom.
Saw Mill – This large saw mill greatly demonstrates the lives of the Saints in early Church History, particularly as the need for houses in the area became extreme from the flood of migrating Saints. Through its restoration, the Saw Mill was made completely functional, although it is not in daily use.
As the first temple of the Restoration, the Kirtland Temple remains one of the most spiritually significant sites in early LDS Church History. Constructed between 1833 and 1836 under immense sacrifice, the temple was built by a fledgling community of Saints who were often poor, persecuted, and united by faith. Many donated labor, goods, and even personal possessions to see the Lord’s house completed.
The temple was dedicated on March 27, 1836, in a meeting marked by powerful spiritual manifestations. Contemporary journals and accounts describe an outpouring of the Spirit, including speaking in tongues, prophecy, visions, and a deep sense of divine approval. The dedication prayer, recorded in Doctrine & Covenants 109, petitions the Lord to accept the temple, endow His servants with power, and allow His glory to rest upon the house.
One week later, on April 3, 1836, a series of sacred angelic visitations occurred in the temple, recorded in Doctrine & Covenants 110. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery testified that Jesus Christ appeared, declaring that He had accepted the temple. This was followed by visitations from Moses, Elias, and Elijah, who restored priesthood keys essential to the gathering of Israel, the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, and the sealing power.
The home of Joseph and Emma Smith was one of the very first homes made among the inpour of migrating saints. This home is just a block down the street from the temple, making it the perfect location for Joseph to oversee the building’s progress while persuing his other spiritual endeavors.
Joseph and Emma lived in this home for a short three years before persecution forced them to continue west with the rest of the Saints to Nauvoo.
Day 5 – April 14th
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight: Charm, OH
In 1830-31, as missionaries preached in northeastern Ohio, many converts joined the Church in rapid succession. Isaac Morley, an early convert and respected community leader, owned a large farm of roughly 80 acres. He opened his land to newly baptized Saints, many of whom had left homes and livelihoods behind. The farm became one of the first gathering places in Church History, offering both physical refuge and spiritual unity at a critical moment in the Restoration.
The Morley Farm is especially significant as one of the earliest experiments in living the Law of Consecration. Before formal instructions were fully revealed, Morley and others attempted to live communally, sharing property and labor in an effort to follow Christ’s teachings. While this early attempt revealed challenges, it laid the groundwork for later, more clearly defined instructions given in Doctrine & Covenants 41, 42, and 51.
In 1831, John and Elsa Johnson, among the Church’s earliest and most faithful converts, invited Joseph & Emma Smith to live in their home. For over a year, the Johnson Farm served as a place of refuge where Joseph could focus on translating the Bible and receiving revelation. During this period, a remarkable number of foundational revelations were given – many of which now appear in the Doctrine & Covenants.
Among these is D&C 76, often called “The Vision,” which revealed the degrees of glory and profoundly expanded our understanding of salvation and the after-life.
Most famously, the John Johnson Farm is known for the tragic mobbing that left Joseph Smith tarred and feathered. Sidney Rigdon was also assaulted and severly injured. The encounter later resulted in the death of one of the Smith’s adoptive twins.
In the heart of Amish country we have the opportunity to briefly explore the lives of the Amish as we dine and overnight in the area. Depending on our arrival time, we may have the opportunity to shop and indulge in the various delicacies offered by the Amish, including fresh cheeses, breads, and more.
Day 6 – April 15th
Meals Included: Breakfast & Light Dinner
Overnight: Springfield, IL
Today will be a long driving day as we travel from Kirtland to Nauvoo. This will be about 8 hours of driving in total. We will stop every 2-3 hours for a break, whether to use the restroom or to grab lunch.
Along the way we will have discussions about Church History, as well as give time to the guests to relax. Please bring appropriate entertainment or motion sickness medication.
In the evening we will rest at our hotel in Springfield, Illinois. Before checking in we will make a brief stop at the Abraham Lincoln Home site. Unfortunately, the home will not be open for exploration, however we will have the opportunity to see the preserved historic community from the outside, as well as hear from a local expert about Abraham Lincoln.
Day 7 – April 16th
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight: Nauvoo, IL
Known as the spot of “the Martyrdom,” it was here that Joseph and Hyrum Smith sealed their testimonies of the Restoration with their blood. The tragic events leading up to the imprisonment and eventual mobbing that killed Joseph and Hyrum felt slow and inevitable with Joseph himself saying, “I am like a lamb that goes to the slaughter.”
This sacred site is one of great importance in LDS Church History, offering a small glimpse into the reality that those who are called of God are often asked to do impossible things in impossible circumstances.
Upon our arrival in Nauvoo, we will take some time to explore the Visitor’s Center. Here there are some interactive exhibits, as well as a short film about the Saints in Nauvoo. Additionally, a small scale version of the Nauvoo Temple is on display, allowing visitors to see the inside of the intricately designed building.
After our visit we will continue to do a brief tour of Old Nauvoo. From the comfort of the bus we invite guests to get some bearings before their day of exploration tomorrow.
For those who would like to, we invite our guests to participate in ordinance work together at the temple.
For the youth, we will make the baptismal appointments. Any youth unable to participate will not have supervision, this is left to the discretion of the parents.
For adults participating in the endowment session, we will select a time for guests to make their individual appointments.
Day 8 – April 17th
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight: Nauvoo, IL
Guests are given the day to freely explore Old Nauvoo. For those interested, the hotel offers golf cart rentals, allowing more freedom in exploring the area. Golf carts are first come, first serve and subject to availability.
Our bus will shuttle around Nauvoo throughout the day, allowing guests to return to the hotel at their discretion.
Major sites in Old Nauvoo to enjoy are:
Mansion Home – Joseph and Emma’s Home
Red Brick Store – Joseph’s store in town. In the upper room was where the first endowments were practiced and received.
Scovil Bakery – Samples of ginger cookies are given at the end of the missionary tour!
Homes of the Apostles, Blacksmith Shop, etc. Each site will have missionaries to explain the history and testify of the faith of the early Saints.
Day 9 – April 18th
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Farewell Dinner
Overnight: Nauvoo, IL
Hannibal is known as the home of Mark Twain. Guests will have some free time here to explore and get lunch.
Located in Daviess County, Missouri, this site offers LDS Church History a unique perspective. Unlike many Church History locations that look primarily to the past, Adam-ondi-Ahman uniquely points both backward to the beginning of humanity, and forward to events yet to come.
Adam-ondi-Ahman is the place where Adam and Eve dwelt after being expelled from the Garden of Eden. It is the site where Adam gathered his righteous posterity and bestowed his final blessings upon them. This sacred gathering is referenced in Doctrine & Covenants 107:53-57. The name Adam-ondi-Ahman is understood to mean “the valley of God where Adam dwelt.”
Doctrine & Covenants 116 identifies this location by name, and later teachings describe it as the future site of a great priesthood council. In that future gathering, Adam will again convene a council to return priesthood keys prior to the Second Coming of the Savior.
In 1836–1838, Far West became the principal gathering place for the Saints in Missouri after they were driven from Jackson County and Clay County. Thousands of Church members settled in the area, determined to build a Zion community despite repeated persecution. At the heart of this settlement was the commandment to build a temple.
In July 1837, the Lord revealed that a temple was to be built in Far West, and the Saints responded quickly and faithfully. On July 4, 1838, Church leaders laid the cornerstones of the Far West Temple in a public ceremony attended by a large gathering of Saints. This act symbolized their hope, unity, and commitment to God—even as tensions with surrounding communities escalated.
Although the temple was never completed, the laying of the cornerstones marked Far West as a holy place set apart, much like other scriptural locations where covenants were made before fulfillment was possible.
Day 10 – April 19th
Meals Included: Breakfast
Overnight: Nauvoo, IL
During the winter of 1838–1839, Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Alexander McRae, and Caleb Baldwin were unjustly imprisoned in Liberty Jail following the Missouri persecutions. Confined in harsh conditions—cold, cramped, unsanitary, and often without adequate food—the prisoners endured months of physical hardship and emotional anguish while their people were driven from the state.
The jail itself was a two-story stone structure, with the prisoners held in the lower dungeon-like room, separated from light and warmth. For Joseph Smith, the agony of imprisonment was compounded by the knowledge that the Saints were suffering and scattered, seemingly abandoned.
It was in Liberty Jail that some of the most profound revelations of the Restoration were received. Joseph Smith’s heartfelt prayers and pleas for justice are answered in what are now recorded as Doctrine and Covenants 121–123. These sections contain some of the most comforting and doctrinally rich passages in scripture.
While Joseph remained imprisoned, the Saints were forced to flee Missouri in the dead of winter, finding refuge in Illinois. Liberty Jail thus marks a turning point in Church history—one that led directly to the establishment of Nauvoo and a new season of growth, revelation, and temple building.
In 1831, shortly after the Church was organized, Joseph Smith received revelation identifying Independence as the site where Zion would be built. Doctrine and Covenants 57 designates Independence as “the center place,” and names the location for a future temple.
For early Saints, this revelation transformed the frontier town into a place of immense spiritual expectation—a literal gathering point for the New Jerusalem. Land was purchased, plans were made, and the Saints began laying the spiritual and communal foundations of Zion, believing they were participating in the fulfillment of ancient prophecy.
Despite their hopes, tensions quickly escalated between the Saints and earlier settlers. Cultural differences, religious misunderstandings, economic fears, and political pressures led to growing hostility. By 1833, violence erupted, homes were destroyed, the Church’s printing press was demolished, and the Saints were forcibly expelled from Jackson County.
This expulsion marked the beginning of a long period of displacement for the Saints in Missouri and introduced one of the central themes of early Church history: Zion promised, but not yet realized.
Although the Saints were driven out, the revelation concerning Zion was not rescinded. Later scriptures and teachings reaffirm that Independence remains the appointed place for the New Jerusalem in God’s own time. The unfulfilled nature of Zion in Independence has given the site enduring theological significance, emphasizing preparation, unity, and righteousness as prerequisites for Zion’s return.
Today, Independence is home to several significant religious and historical sites, including Temple Lot, the Community of Christ Temple, and the Independence Visitors’ Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Each reflects differing interpretations of Zion, yet together they underscore the enduring spiritual gravity of the location.
The bus will take the group to the Kansas City International Airport (MCI) around 3:30pm in the afternoon. This will allow plenty of time to go through security and arrive at the gate for those whose flights depart at 5:30pm or later.
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
Legacy Tours and Travel reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary and schedule as deemed necessary.
Additional Resources ~
The 30 Best Scriptures to Study Before A LDS Church History Tour: Here are 30 different scriptures to study before a LDS church history tour. Reading these in preparation will boost… Read More
Top 5 LDS Church History Sites on Tour: With so many sites tied to the early history of the LDS Church, you might be wondering, ‘which one offers the most powerful experience?’ … Read More
