July 2025 Church History (Ensign)

Latter-day Birthright Church History

(American Heritage)

July 8 - 22, 2025

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July 8 - 22, 2025 Church History Tour

*Ensign:  Ensign Peak Academy Student, Friend and Family Promotion

Tour Dates

Church History:  July 8-22, 2025

  • July 8-22, 2025 Itinerary

    Day 1 (Tue July 8): GETTYSBURG / DC TEMPLE

    Our Tour begins with a visit to the historic and unforgettable Gettysburg Battlefield and Visitors Center. Lunch is a pleasure at General Pickett’s Buffet in Gettysburg. Our last stop of the day will be a memorable stop at the Washington D.C. Temple. We will not only enjoy the view, but if possible also take in the new movie on the Restoration on their large screen. We will retire early and overnight near the Temple in Gaithersburg, Maryland.


    Day 2 (Wed July 9): DOWNTOWN D.C. / MEMORIALS

    Today we get to explore our nation's capital! You will be free today to enjoy the Smithsonian Museums (Natural History, American History, Air & Space, National Gallery of Art, etc.), Holocaust Museum, Washington Memorial, White House, Capital Building, Arlington Cemetery or whatever your heart desires. This afternoon as a group we will visit the Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean War, Jefferson, and WWII Memorials together. Following our downtown visits we will travel to Philadelphia and overnight.


    Day 3 (Thu July 10): LIBERTY BELL / PHILSDELPHIA / NYC

    Today we begin our day at the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall [where the Declaration of Independence & Constitution were signed]. From here we will cross over to New Jersey and into New York City. This evening you will be free to do as you would like; take in an additional Broadway Play, etc. We will overnight in NYC near Times Square and the Theater District of NYC.


    Day 4 (Fri July )11: NYC: TEMPLE / BROADWAY SHOW

    This morning you are free to venture out and explore the ‘Big Apple’ as your heart desires. For those interested Dr. Anderson will lead us to Ground Zero, Battery Park, Trinity Church, Wall Street, the First US Congress Building, St. Paul’s Church, etc. He will also share the Church History information relative to NYC. You will then enjoy the afternoon time as you desire visiting the Empire State Building, Broadway, Times Square, Central Park, Madison Square Garden, Statue of Liberty, the LDS Manhattan Temple, etc. This evening we will enjoy a Broadway Show  together. We again overnight in NYC.


    Day 5 (Sat July 12): HARMONY / FAYETTE / PALMYRA / TEMPLE

    Today we depart NYC and travel up to Harmony, Pennsylvania/Susquehanna River where, among other things, the Priesthood was restored. After enjoying the new Visitors Center there and lunch in the area, we will take a beautiful drive up to the grassroots area of the Church in upstate New York. Our first site in this area is Fayette, New York. The Church was officially organized here in 1830 at the Peter Whitmer Sr. Log House. We end our day in beautiful Palmyra. Those who brought their clothing can enjoy doing some Temple work in the Palmyra Temple (baptism clothes provided). We overnight in the Palmyra area.


    Day 6 (Sun July 13): PALMYRA: SACRED GROVE / HILL CUMORAH 

    Today is an amazing day visiting all the sites in the Palmyra area. We begin by attending a worship service next to the Palmyra Temple. Next we will visit the log house of Joseph Smith Sr. and enjoy some reflection time in the Sacred Grove. Following this experience we will visit the new Palmyra Temple and then take in the E. B. Grandin Press and Print Shop. Nearby is the grave site of Alvin Smith [brother of Joseph]. We will next visit the Hill Cumorah and review the historical accounts of events. We again overnight in the Palmyra area.


    Day 7 (Mon July 14): NIAGARA FALLS / KIRTLAND

    This morning as we travel to the majestic Niagara Falls where we will take a voyage on one of the ‘Maid of the Mist’ boats that take you right under the falls. From here we travel south to Kirtland, Ohio. This area is amazing as we visit four different sites where the Father and Son appeared. Our first stop is the new Historic Kirtland Visitors Center near the Newel K. Whitney Store. We spend some time in the ‘School of the Prophets’ room where the Father and Son appeared. We overnight in Mentor, Ohio.


    Day 8 (Tue July 15): KIRTLAND: TEMPLE / QUARY / HIRAM

    Today we begin with a visit the John Johnson Home [D&C 76] in Hiram, Ohio. Next we visit the Temple Quarry before going into the Kirtland Temple, which was the first Temple built in this dispensation [D&C 109 & 110]. We will also visit the Temple Quarry. We will conclude our day with a stop at the Morley Farm and then enjoy a relaxing evening at our hotel.


    Day 9 (Wed July 16): AMISH COUNTRY / CHICAGO

    Today we are traveling through Amish country and cross Ohio into Indiana. We have an incredible experience as we stop in Shipshewana, Indiana for an Amish cooked meal. We first enjoy a tour of the MENNO-HOF (Mennonite-Amish) Visitors Center and Museum. This museum shares a great presentation of the history of this very fascinating people as well as many other religions throughout the Dark Ages. Following our home-cooked Amish meal we leave Amish country and pass by South Bend, Indiana, which is home to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. We enjoy some time and dinner at the famous Navy Pier in Chicago and overnight in Joliet, IL.


    Day 10 (Thu July 17): CARTHAGE JAIL / NAUVOO

    Today we will make our way across the State of Illinois. When we arrive in Carthage we will reflect on the Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith at the Carthage Jail. Following this sobering experience we will venture over to Nauvoo and re-experience history as we view the majestic Nauvoo Temple! Time permitting we will visit the LDS Visitors Center where we will see the model of 1846 Nauvoo and the magnificent sculpture garden that features the Monument to Women. This evening those interested may enjoy one of the productions put on by the local Missionaries. We overnight in Nauvoo.


    Day 11 (Fri July 18): MORE OF HISTORIC NAUVOO / NAUVOO PAGEANTS

    Today we spend our day soaking in the sights and sounds of Historic Nauvoo. For those able and interested the day will begin with a Temple Session or baptisms at the remarkable Nauvoo Temple. In Historic Nauvoo there are over 30 sites to see and choose from; several Historical Homes and sites, Community of Christ (RLDS) Visitors Center, a horse and carriage ride, a good local fudge factory, etc. For those interested in the Missionary Productions will also be able to attend those. These sites should keep us all busy for the day. Dinner is a pleasure at the buffet in the Hotel Nauvoo. Our evening will be a memorable one as we experience the Nauvoo Pageants. We again overnight at the Nauvoo area.


    Day 12 (Sat July 19): ADAM-ONDI-AHMAN / FAR WEST / LIBERTY JAIL

    Today we make our way down to Missouri and pass through Hannibal, which is home to the famous writer Samuel Clements [Mark Twain]. Our historical sites begin today where the human race began at Adam-Ondi-Ahman. We will then venture over to Far West where, among other things, the cornerstones for a temple were laid. Following our stop there we will enjoy the Temple Prison; Liberty Jail (D&C 121-122). Following dinner we will explore the Independence, Missouri area with a visit to the Community of Christ Temple and Headquarters (formerly RLDS) as well at the ‘Temple Lot’ and the newly remodeled LDS Visitors Center. We overnight in Liberty, Missouri.


    Day 13 (Sun July 20): WINTER QUARTERS / PIONEER TRAIL - NEBRASKA

    Today we make our way to Omaha, Nebraska to visit the Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters. It was here where the Saints who fled Nauvoo ended for the winter of 1846-47. Here we will also see the Pioneer Cemetery and Winter Quarters Temple. Following our visit we will begin to retrace the route of the original Pioneers as they began their journey west following Brigham Young’s leadership. We will enjoy a worship service and also read the Pioneer accounts and journals as they made their way west. We will follow their journey as far as Grand Island, Nebraska where we will overnight.


    Day 14 (Mon July 21): PIONEER TRAIL / NEBRASKA & WYOMING

    Today we see a good portion of the Pioneer trail as we make our way across Nebraska and into Wyoming. We will venture across the ‘Trail’ we will enjoy and share stories of our Pioneer heritage. One of our stops today will include the Guernsey Ruts where you can still see the grooves in the rocks made by the Pioneer wagons. We will also admire Signature Cliffs, where hundreds of immigrants signed their names to the rock. In Casper, Wyoming we will visit the newly constructed Trails Center where we will learn about the five trails used by the early settlers as they migrated west. We overnight in Casper, Wyoming.


    Day 15 (Tue July 22): INDEP. ROCK / MARTIN’S COVE / S.L. VALLEY

    What better way to anticipate the celebration of Pioneer Day than traveling the actual trail and arriving in the Salt Lake Valley!? Today we travel the last leg of the Pioneer Trail. On our way to Martin’s Cove we will see more of the Mormon Trail when we pass Devil’s Gate and Independence Rock. At Martins Cove we will reflect on the unforgettable events that occurred there. It was here where the Martin & Willie Handcart Companies were stuck in the early snow storms of 1847. Following this sobering experience we will continue to follow the trail until we eventually reach Immigration Canyon and enter the Salt Lake Valley! Our Tour concludes at the “This is the Place” monument. We should arrive around 6pm.



  • Costs & Payment Details

    PRICE for Church History Tour: $3,485 per person double occupancy.  [This price include all ground transportation, fuel surcharges, 2 meals daily, entrance fees]


    DEPOSIT REQUIRED: $500 per person.


    ROOMMATES: 

    Single people may sign up for accommodations on a share basis and will be assigned roommates as circumstances permit. If a roommate is unavailable, the participant will be notified of the adjusted price prior to departure.


    CANCELLATION FEES: 

    A $25 fee will be charged by Gather-NOW/Anderson Tours LLC for all cancellations until 60 days prior to departure, at which time the fee will be $100. In addition, all cancellation charges imposed by airlines, hotels, vendors, operators, etc., will be passed on to the participant.


    Early reservations are strongly recommended, and a Deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due 60 days prior to departure. Applications received after this date should include full payment. Any payments made after this date should also include also include full payment. Any payments made 30 days prior to departure must be in the form of a money order. Checks should be made payable to Anderson Tours. All cancellation penalties are the responsibility of the participant.


    Please send check payment and names of participants to:

    Anderson Tours LLC

    8661 Millpond PL

    Riverside, CA 92508

  • What is Included?

    • First-class, top quality Tour with experienced Tour Director
    • Private, deluxe Air-Conditioned Motor Coach
    • Hotel Accommodations (Holiday Inn Express or comparable)
    • Two Meals Daily (breakfast and lunch or dinner) as indicated in the detailed itinerary
    • All Admission Fees to sites specified in the itinerary including the NYC Broadway Play
    • Country Visas, Airport as well as other Departure Taxes
  • Not Included

    Airfare to BWI and back home from SLC, items of a personal nature, such as souvenirs; excess baggage or portage charges; personal, trip, or baggage insurance; room service; laundry; phone charges; food or beverages not part of the group menu, gratuities for special services; expenses incurred on personal activities not included where group participation is not specified in the itinerary. We are happy to help you arrange your flight arrangements to BWI.


    All participants are encouraged to book their flight through Traverse Tours and Travel (801-821-2299 or dani@flytraverse.com). This agency will assist our group with connecting in major airports, arriving at the same or similar times into BWI. This agency will handle all issues that may arise during travel. We have used this company for decades and they know how to take care of our customers. 


  • Flight Information

    All participants are encouraged to book their flight through Traverse Tours and Travel (801-821-2299 or dani@flytraverse.com). This agency will assist our group with connecting in major airports, arriving at the same or similar times BWI in Baltimore, Maryland and departing at the end of the tour from Salt Lake International Airport. This agency will handle all issues that may arise during travel. Travel can and will be coordinated as much as possible.

  • Tour Details

    This Tour is very unique and comprehensive in nature and longer than most Church History Tours. Laundry facilities will be available at many of the hotels.  


    Age: 16+ unless accompanied by an adult


    Every tour will have a professional and trained director to lead the group skillfully through the scriptures and particularly through the events of the Restoration focusing on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. We will touch on some of the singnificant events in American History and a much more detailed approach to the events of the Restoration. We will trace the History of the Church from its inception in Fayett, New York all the way to the Salt Lake Valley. It is an incredible journey!


    Opportunities will be available to participate in Temple worship while in NYC, Palmyra, and Nauvoo. The Palmyra Temple does NOT rent clothing, but the others do. Performing work IN these Temples is voluntary and not an official part of the tour itinerary. 


    If you have ancestors who lived in Nauvoo you will want to contact the Lands & Records Office (217) 453-2733) and notify them of your ancestors PRIOR to your visit and they will gladly provide you with all the historical information during your visit so you can visit the location of their property, etc. They need a week or two in order to gather your information so PLEASE notify them with enough time to have your information ready for you upon arrival. We are happy to assist in this if you need som help. 


  • Tour Company Information

    The Gather-NOW program is sponsored by Anderson Tours LLC and International Travel Studies. These entities specialize in LDS Tours to Israel, Jordan & Egypt, as well as LDS Church History Tours, Book of Mormon Land Tours to Mesoamerica, and specialty Cruises. Our expertise is in providing sacred and meaningful experiences at various scriptural sites throughout the world. With over 4 decades of refinement and success we promise that your LDS Tour with us will be both memorable and meaningful. Personalized, scriptural experiences are ideal when done in small personalized groups and this is our specialty. Most companies strive to maximize profit by taking large groups but at Anderson Tours we strive diligently to maximize your insights and scriptural experiences. This is where the magic happens!

  • Packing Information

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“Visiting the actual Sacred Grove and reviewing the events leading up to the Restoration was truly amazing! It is something I will never forget.”

John Smith, New York

“The director was so knowledgeable and experienced. It would not have been the same without him.”

Jodi Black, Dallas

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