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May 1-14, 2025
This is an LDS Tour, in partnership with TruthSeekers Foundation. This tour encompasses many aspects of the Genesis and Creation of this world, as well as the Restoration of these truths, including evidence about the Book of Mormon. On this LDS Tour, you can expect to learn about how science is a means to prove God’s existence, creativity, and divinity. You can also expect to learn how spiritual truths may be accompanied by physical evidence. Come along on this one of a kind tour, featuring the Genesis and Restoration, led by Rod Meldrum and Russ Barlow.
Guided By Russ Barlow & Rod Meldrum
Included
Separate Costs
Itinerary
Guests should fly into Kansas City International Airport (KCI) and meet the group at the hotel. More information will be given as departure gets closer.
Meals Included: None
Independence Temple Lot
This site was dedicated by Joseph Smith in 1831 as the location for a future temple in the center place of Zion. Originally, Joseph had laid out a plan to construct 24 temples in this area, but the saints were driven away before more than the cornerstone of this first temple could be laid. Though the temple was never built, the lot remains a sacred space, symbolizing the hope of Zion’s establishment. What’s more, the temple lot is not currently owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but by a group called the Church of Christ. Their alignment in the purpose of the lot has kept this sacred site unused for more than a century.
Liberty Jail
Known as a “prison-temple,” Liberty Jail is where Joseph Smith and other LDS Church Leaders were unjustly imprisoned during the harsh winter of 1838-1839. It was here that Joseph received profound revelations, including parts of the Doctrine and Covenants 121-123, offering guidance and comfort to the Saints. This sacred site is a must-see for our Genesis and Restoration Tour.
Arabia
This museum tells the story of the Arabia, a steamboat that launched in 1853. Primarily used for transporting cargo, passengers, and mail along the river. Unfortunately, the vessel met a tragic end in 1856. Striking a submerged tree, it sank in the Missouri River and was rediscovered in a Kansas cornfield over a century later. Its excavation provides a snapshot of the 19th century frontier life, paralleling the era of early Latter-Day Saint migration.
Fishing River & Zion’s Camp
Zion’s Camp was a marching expedition in 1834 whose purpose was to assist and provide relief to the persecuted Latter-Day Saints in Missouri. While traversing the states of Ohio and Indiana, as well as Illinois, the participants faced difficult circumstances. Such as harsh weather and lack of provisions, as well as hostility from local residents.
In June 1834, while camping near the Fishing River in Missouri, cholera broke out among the members of Zion’s Camp. As a result, several members of the expedition died, including Joseph Smith’s adopted son. Due to the outbreak, a reevaluation of the camp’s mission resulted. Eventually, the decision to disband was reached.
Although Zion’s Camp did not achieve its original objective, the experiences of Zion’s Camp holds a significant role in the history of the LDS Church. Overall, playing a role in shaping the leadership and resilience of the early Latter-Day Saints, as well as early Apostles. Notably, these events leave a great opportunity to acknowledge the hand of God in guidance, protection, and lessons learned in such a challenging period.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Cosmosphere
The Cosmosphere is a world-renowned space museum and science education center. It houses one of the largest collections of US and Russian space aircrafts, including the actual Apollo 13 command module, Liberty Bell 7, and Soviet spacecraft. For LDS visitors, the Cosmosphere highlights humanity’s drive to explore the heavens, aligning with the doctrines that celebrate the vastness of God’s creations and our divine potential as His children. It inspires awe and wonder, echoing themes found in scripture such as Moses 1:33, “Worlds without number have I created.”
Strataca Salt Mine
The mine itself has a history dating back to the early 20th century when it was actively used for salt extraction. Over time, portions of the mine were repurposed to create the Strataca Mine. Now, it also serves as a unique tourist destination that provides visitors with an opportunity to explore the vast underground chambers of an active salt mine. Additionally, the mine is known for its naturally occurring salt formations, and is one of the few places where the public can experience an underground salt environment.
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning the group will attend 9:00am Sacrament Meeting Services at a local ward.
Far West
In 1836, Far West was established as a settlement by LDS Pioneers. The community grew rapidly, and eventually was intended for the construction of a temple. However, these efforts of construction were continuously hindered by conflicts and ultimately never complete. The cornerstone of the Far West Temple was laid in 1838, however, due to escalating tensions with residents outside the Church, the area was forcibly abandoned.
Additionally, Church history records Far West as a place of revelation. For example, several key revelations and doctrines were received by Joseph Smith while residing in Far West. Some of these revelations were recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants. Addressing topics such as the gathering of the Saints and the establishment of Zion, including duties of the Church and its members.
Ultimately the Saints left Far West due to the “Extermination Order” commanded by Governor Boggs at the time.
Adam-Ondi-Ahman
In Doctrine and Covenants Section 116, it is revealed that Adam-Ondi-Ahman is a place where Adam gathered and blessed his posterity. Some speculation indicates that the Garden of Eden would have been near by, as Adam and Eve wouldn’t have gone far from it after being kicked out. Concretely, Adam-Ondi-Ahman has been prophesied to be a part of future events. According to revelation, this will be the place where Adam meets with his righteous descendants and holds a council. Additionally, this council is thought to be a preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Breckenridge Park
Breckenridge Park is a serene location with historical significance tied to the LDS settlers in Missouri during the 1830s. It serves as a reminder of the Saints’ efforts to establish communities amid the challenges they faced in their pursuit of religious freedom and Zion-building.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Flood & Creation Museum
Honorably, the mission of this museum is to strengthen faith by demonstrating that the Bible is an accurate record of God’s creation. Additionally, it aims to prove that the events recorded in the Bible can be observed in the world. Features of the museum include the Flood Experience as well as a Bible Exhibit.
While the Flood Experience is made of video, animatronics, and audio, they all work together forming a grand demonstration of the world before the flood. It continues, showing the inside of the ark, the flood, the world after the flood, and the rainbow.
The Bible Exhibit showcases many historic copies of the bible throughout history. Including the Bible of Gutenberg, King James, Tyndale, the Hebrew Torah, and the Great Isaiah Scroll.
Joseph’s Tomb
Joseph’s Tomb in Nauvoo, Illinois, is a resting place for Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his brother Hyrum. Though their remains were moved multiple times to protect them from desecration, the tomb symbolizes their enduring legacy and sacrifice for the Church. It serves as a sacred site of reflection and reverence for visitors honoring the lives of these early leaders and their role in restoring the gospel.
Carthage Jail
Of course, this site is infamous for the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration. Within the walls of the fated room, the bullet holes are still visible in the wooden door. Traditionally, the blood of Hyrum Smith and others in the room stayed on the wooden floor boards for more than 100 years. After which, President Hinckley chose to clean the bloodstains as a sign of respect for those who had died.
This heart-wrenching tale of Joseph and Hyrum’s final moments in mortality is certain to offer us insight and appreciation of the sacrifices they had made up to that point. This is a great time for self-reflection, as well as thanksgiving for the willingness of those men to serve God in a full capacity.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Sites to Look Forward to at Nauvoo:
Historic Homes
Impressively, the Historic Nauvoo District houses more than 20 historic homes for visitors to explore. For example, the William Weeks Home, homes of the early Apostles, the Mansion house, and many others. Easily we could spend days here, which is why we offer time for free exploration as well as guided sections of this significant place.
Main Street Trades
Through working with tin, leather, and paper, tradespeople sustained the economy of this swelling city along the Mississippi. In addition to a print shop and post office, see the historic Browning Gun shop. Also, take time to see the Stoddard Tin Shop, Riser Boot and Shoe Shop, or even the old Schoolhouse.
Nauvoo Temple
Guests who would like to may perform ordinances at the Nauvoo Temple. We suggest that appointments are made for the late afternoon, as the sites in Old Nauvoo will close at 5pm.
Meals Included: Dinner
Vickers Geodes
Located near Hamilton, Illinois, the Vickers Geodes are a fascinating geological feature where spherical, hollow rocks lined with crystals are found. These formations invite reflection on the beauty and complexity of the Earth. At this site we will discuss and celebrate God and His creations, specifically the intricate design of the natural world.
Phoenicia Museum
This museum celebrates the ancient seafaring civilization of the Phoenicians, whose influence on maritime navigation and trade helped to shape the ancient world. As part of the great Phoenician Experiment, Captain Phillip Beale had a vessel constructed, using the tools and engineering of the ancient Phoenicians to sail the world in. This experiment provides a case study of evidence supporting the position that ancient crossings to the New World (as described in the Book of Mormon) were completely possible at this point in history.
Zelph’s Mound
Zelph’s Mound, near Valley City, Illinois, is a burial site connected to an event during Zion’s Camp in 1834. According to Joseph Smith, this ancient mound belonged to Zelph, a white Lamanite warrior who lived during the time of the Book of Mormon. The site offers a tangible link to the events of the Book of Mormon and the broader history of the Americas, deepening faith and understanding of the Church’s teachings.
Meals Included: None
Woodhenge (Monk’s Mound)
Woodhenge, part of the Cahokia Mounds near Monk’s Mound in Illinois, is a reconstructed ancient solar calendar made of wooden posts. Built by the Mississippian culture over 1,000 years ago, it reflects advanced knowledge of astronomy and timekeeping. For LDS visitors, it offers a glimpse into the sophisticated societies that may align with peoples referenced in the Book of Mormon.
New Madrid
The site of the devastating New Madrid earthquakes of 1811–1812, this area serves as a reminder of the Earth’s dynamic forces. For LDS visitors, it underscores the power of natural events and their potential spiritual symbolism, echoing themes of the earth’s role in fulfilling God’s purposes. It also has compelling evidence of the Book of Mormon in these very lands.
Fort Defiance
Situated at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers in Illinois, Fort Defiance played a key role in regional trade and transportation. For LDS visitors, the site symbolizes the interconnectedness of early American communities, akin to the movement and migrations of the Saints in their pursuit of religious freedom.
Wickliffe Mounds
Wickliffe Mounds in Kentucky is an archaeological site once inhabited by the Mississippian culture. The mounds reflect a complex society with ties to trade and religion. For LDS visitors, it offers insights into the ancient peoples of the Americas, potentially sparking connections to the civilizations described in the Book of Mormon.
Meals Included: None
The Creation Museum, located in Petersburg, Kentucky, presents a biblical perspective on the origins of life and the Earth’s history, emphasizing a young Earth timeline and the events of the Creation and the Flood. This Museum doubles as a park where preserved bones of mammoths and other ice-aged animals are exposed, and we’ll discuss how the ice-age actually fits within the events of Noah’s Flood. For LDS visitors, it can complement discussions about the scriptural accounts of creation, fostering reflection on divine design and humanity’s place in God’s plan. Its exhibits encourage a deeper appreciation for faith-based interpretations of the Earth’s origins and the testimonies of scripture.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Big Bone Lick
Renowned for its paleontological and archaeological significance, we have Big Bone Lick. It gained attention in the late 18th century, through discovering large bones at this site. The bones proved to originate from various Ice Age animals, including mastodons as well as mammoths. This site is considered one of the most significant Pleistocene fossil sites in North America.
Originally, this area became attractive to prehistoric animals due to the presence of salt springs and mineral licks. As a result, animals would come to the site to lick the salty minerals, and this, in turn, attracted predators. Additionally, early Native American inhabitants and later, European settlers recognized the value of the salt springs.
However, the iconic point of the salt springs, are their preservation power. Several Ice Age animals, including mastodons, mammoths, ground sloths, and others, left their bones in salt marshes. As a result, the salt preserved the bones, making Big Bone Lick a unique repository of Ice Age fauna.
Ark Encounter
Central to the Ark Encounter attraction, is a life-sized replica of Noah’s Ark. Impressively, all measurements are as described in the Bible. Including a measurement of 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high. A wooden masterpiece, to be sure. However, the original purpose and mission of this ark encounter is to provide a faith-based and educational experience for visitors, promoting the beliefs of answers in Genesis.
Features include three decks worth of exhibits and displays, the Ararat Ridge Zoo, and Ziplines as well as a petting zoo. Plus, live entertainment and restaurants for visitors to enjoy. This Ark Encounter is a full-on theme park experience to be explored, enjoyed, and enlightened.
Exhibits and displays depict scenes from the biblical story of Noah, as well as offers explanations of the Ark’s construction. There is information about the flood and its aftermath, and it’s zoo features a variety of animals in reference to the command of “two animals of every kind.” Overall, this encounter aims to provide visitors with the diversity that would have been seen aboard the ark.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Great Circle
Part of the Newark Earthworks in Ohio, the Great Circle is one of the largest geometric earthworks built by the Hopewell culture over 2,000 years ago. Its precise design and celestial alignments highlight the advanced knowledge of ancient American peoples. For LDS visitors, it can evoke connections to the societies described in the Book of Mormon, reflecting the cultural and spiritual sophistication of early inhabitants of the Americas.
Octagon Earthworks
The Octagon Earthworks, also part of the Newark Earthworks, served as a ceremonial and astronomical site, aligned with lunar cycles. This remarkable precision demonstrates the Hopewell culture’s scientific and spiritual achievements. For LDS visitors, it provides a lens into the complex societies that may align with peoples in the Book of Mormon narrative.
Kirtland Temple
Built in 1836 in Kirtland, Ohio, this temple was the first sacred house constructed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a site of significant spiritual outpourings, including the appearances of Jesus Christ, Moses, Elijah, and Elias, as described in Doctrine and Covenants 110. The Kirtland Temple symbolizes the faith and sacrifice of the early Saints in establishing the restored gospel.
Historic Kirtland
Historic Kirtland is a restored village featuring sites like the Newel K. Whitney Store, where Joseph Smith received revelations and organized key Church functions. It also includes the sawmill and ashery that supported the community economically. Visiting this area offers a glimpse into the daily lives of early Latter-day Saints and their efforts to build Zion amidst hardship and persecution.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Watkins Glen Park
Watkins Glen State Park is renowned for its stunning gorges, cascading waterfalls, and unique geological formations. Here we will discover more evidence of Genesis and God’s Creation. On a special hike, entitled “Jacob’s Ladder,” the group will be brought to a staircase made of 180 stone steps. This hike can be challenging, but it offers some breathtaking views. The name, “Jacob’s Ladder” can evoke biblical imagery of spiritual ascension and connection to heaven, inspiring reflection on the beauty and purpose of God’s creations.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we spend exploring the amazing catalyst sites of the Restoration. Through each site we will feel the Spirit of Revelation moving to press the work of God forward.
Grandin Printing Press: Here the first copies of the Book of Mormon were published.
Martin Harris Farm: Martin Harris mortgaged a portion of this farm to finance the publication and printing of the Book of Mormon, demonstrating his faith and commitment to the work of the Restoration.
Alvin Smith’s Grave: Alvin Smith, Joseph Smith Jr.’s older brother, died at the age of 26. He was a great mentor and supporter of Joseph Smith Jr., and encouraged him to never go back on his testimony.
Smith Family Farm: This farm holds two of the homes that the Smith family lived in during Joseph Smith’s time there. It was here that the prophet Moroni visited Joseph Smith and told him where to find the hidden record.
Sacred Grove: Probably one of the most sacred and hallowed sites of our tour, as well as the Restoration. It was here that Joseph Smith prayed to God and was answered with His and Jesus’ divine presence.
Hill Cumorah: Though the exact spot is not known to us, this hill site is where the ancient record of the Book of Mormon was buried by Moroni, centuries before Joseph Smith was led to it.
Meals Included: Breakfast
The Fox Sisters
The Fox Sisters’ home in Hydesville, New York, is the birthplace of the Spiritualist movement, which began in 1848 when the sisters claimed to communicate with spirits through rapping sounds. While not directly tied to LDS Church history, the events at the Fox home highlight the 19th-century fascination with the supernatural and divine communication. For LDS visitors, it contrasts with Joseph Smith’s experiences, emphasizing the Restoration’s foundation on divine revelation and the authority of priesthood.
After our visit at the Fox Sister’s Home, our tour will conclude. The group will be transferred to the Rochester airport with flights departing after 2:00pm.
Meals Included: Breakfast
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Payment Terms: $300 pp deposit is required at time of booking. Final payment is due 90 days before tour departure.
Meet your guides!
Russ Barlow, Director of TruthSeekers Adventures, author and editor of many books, including the Universal Model, and other Church history books is the lead guide for all TruthSeekers adventure tours.
Legacy Tours & Travel
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