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Many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, also known as LDS or Mormons, enjoy famous sites that are part of the church history. Following church beginnings and ultimate movement west, a number of states are included in organized church history tours attended by individuals, couples and entire families as they follow the development of the LDS faith. Church founder and prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. was born in the small village of Sharon, Vermont. Many tours begin in Sharon at the site of the Joseph Smith birthplace memorial. Following the developing church in chronological order, tours move next Palmyra, New York. Palmyra is home to the famous Sacred Grove, where Joseph Smith prayed for guidance about which church to join and experienced what is now called the “First Vision.” The Smith family farm is located here, along with the Hill Cumorah, where Joseph Smith found famous gold plates. The Hill Cumorah is the site of the annual Hill Cumorah Pageant, an annual outdoor production that began in 1937 and continues today. Some 700-cast members participate from all over the world in the 7-night event that is free to the public. The first book of Mormon came from nearby Gandin Print Shop and the Peter Whitmer Farm where a large portion of the Book of Mormon translation took place. The Farm was home to the earliest organization activities of the religion. From Palmyra, many tours take a side trip to visit nearby Niagra Falls. Church history tours travel west to Kirtland, Ohio, the early headquarters of the Latter Day Saints from 1831 to 1838. The Kirtland Temple was the first of many temples built in the Mormon religion. A number of historical sites in this region include the Morley Farm where Joseph Smith and his wife Emma resided and where the initial drafts of the Doctrine and Covenants took place, part of LDS scriptural works. The Newel K. Whitney Store was another residence of Joseph Smith, along with being the site of the School of the Prophets. Lectures and studies on theology took place there as did meetings of the early church leaders. Independence, Missouri serves as an important site in Mormon history. The Independence Visitor’s Center sits on ground purchased in 1831 at the direction of Joseph Smith. The Liberty Jail is located in Independence, where Joseph Smith and others spent five months in jail awaiting trial in late 1838 and early 1944. Smith received three revelations while incarcerated which are included in the Doctrine and Covenants. The town of Far West, founded by Mormon leaders, was the headquarters of the LDS movement in early 1838. Following the movement of the early Mormons, the next and final stop for church history tours is Nouvoo Missouri. A second LDS temple was build there, which served the faithful very briefly and was never completely finished. Forced from Missouri, Mormons sold the original building and it was later destroyed by fire. Dedicated in 2002, a new temple was erected on the original site. The final destination of most tours is a visit to Carthage Jail in Carthage, Illinois. On June 27, 1944, a mob overtook the jail, killing Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. Brigham Young succeeded Joseph Smith as the leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and led church followers across the plains and ultimately to the Utah territory. For more information on Mormon History Tours and other LDS travel adventures, see Voyager Cruises & Tours.
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Mormon Vacations, Book of Mormon Tours, LDS Tours, LDS Vacations,
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