Scot & Maurine Proctor have been leading Church History Tours for the past 35 years. They know and love these places and know and love the Prophet Joseph Smith. This year’s tour will be Monday, September 14, 2026, to Monday, September 28, 2026. Below is a day-by-day illustrated itinerary of this very spiritual and wonderful journey. Come and enjoy reading about and seeing these places!
We know you have always wanted to see ALL the significant early Church History sites and now is the time! Many of you have been to Nauvoo or just to Palmyra, or perhaps to Kirtland—but now you will have the opportunity to see all these sacred sites in one sweeping, panoramic view. It makes ALL the difference in understanding the early history of the Restoration and the life of the Prophet Joseph.
We have been leading this ultimate Church History tour for the past thirty-five years! We know these places and the stories that bring them alive and we love to teach and share this amazing part of our sacred heritage. If you have ever thought about going on a Church History tour, this may very well be your year, and we would love to take you with us! One year a tour participant exclaimed: “This is not the ULTIMATE Church History Tour…It is the ONLY Church History Tour!”
We will be leading this year’s tour from September 14-28, 2026. It’s the perfect time of year for this incredible tour. You will return home the Monday before October General Conference.
WARNING: This is a life-changing experience!
Below is a thorough look at what we do. Read through the daily itinerary and then consider joining us. There are available spaces at this time, but the remaining spots will sell out, so please decide right away. Pricing and contact information are located at the end of the article or you can call right now for information or booking with our agent:
Sarah, at Morris Murdock Travel: 801-483-6473.
Please note: If you would feel more comfortable, you can book the Ultimate Church History Tour with the Proctors immediately online yourself: PLEASE CLICK HERE. When you get to that page, scroll down to where it says BOOK NOW and then set up your account and get it done. As of today, there are 18 places left so please call immediately to make sure you can secure your place on this never-to-be-forgotten experience. This is one time we have room for parents who would like to bring all their adult children and spouses (this happens often)—as long as you don’t have more than eight married children!
Please read and enjoy the following detailed itinerary below.
Day 1- Monday, September 14, 2026
We all fly in from our various homes to Boston today and gather at the Embassy Suites, Boston Logan Airport. (Evening snacks included at the hotel). Tonight we will have a brief meeting where we get to meet each other for the first time. You will look around and, at first, think these are all new faces and strangers to you. That feeling won’t last for long as we quickly become like a traveling family.
Day 2 – Tuesday, September 15, 2026
You’ll love our visit to Old Ironsides. You may even want to buy an American Flag that you get to fly over this historic ship! The Proctors have one in their family!
After breakfast, we’ll enjoy Boston, walk part of the Freedom Trail including seeing the Old North Church, and see “Old Ironsides,” the oldest commissioned warship in the world still afloat (229 years old). A memorable lecture given at Harvard Square in Cambridge will ring in your ears throughout the trip and give you new perspectives on the founding of our country and the beginnings of the Restoration. We’ll get a feeling for the American Revolution and then let you have an enjoyable hour at Quincy Market for dinner where you’ll see the famous Faneuil Hall. Built in 1742, this building hosted pre-Revolutionary protests against the Sugar and Stamp Acts and boasted speakers George Washington, Samuel Adams and later abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
Tonight we stay at the charming Colonial Inn in Concord, which dates to 1716 and weas used during the Revolutionary period by Concord Minutemen for storing arms and ammunition. It was once owned by Henry David Thoreau. (Meals: B,D)
Day 3 – Wednesday, September 16, 2026
You’ll feel the spirit of the Revolution as you gaze upon the Minute Man statue here in Lexington on the Green.
This morning we will relive the first moments of the Revolutionary War and see the place where the shot was fired that was “heard around the world”. We will travel along Battle Road, stopping at various points, and even see where Paul Revere was captured by the British.
There are few places where you will feel a deeper connection to the Revolutionary War than here at the Old North Bridge in Concord.
You will come to know Lexington and Concord including hearing a moving lecture at the Old North Bridge that will help you understand those events which brought about the Independence of this great nation and set the stage for the birthplace of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter days. In the afternoon we will visit Louisa May Alcott’s home and see the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau and the Alcott’s are buried. Tonight we will have a meal together at Longfellow’s Wayside Inn in Sudbury—the oldest Inn in America—established in 1716! Here we will see one of New England’s most picturesque sites and perhaps her most famous mill.
We will stay again tonight at our beautiful and historic Colonial Inn. (Meals: B, D)
Day 4 – Thursday, September 17, 2026
This 38 1/2 foot monument commemorates the birthplace of Joseph Smith, the Prophet.
Very early this morning we head northward on our journey into beautiful New England and for our first major Church History stop in Sharon, Vermont. Fortunately, you will experience the journey up Dairy Hill in a bus (we don’t have to hike) where we will experience strong feelings of the Spirit at the birthplace of the prophet Joseph. We will eat our lunch together on the original property where the Smiths were living. We will visit the towns of Sharon, Turnbridge, and drive past the Smith stomping grounds of Norwich and West Lebanon. Here we will get a feel for the first twenty years of marriage of Lucy Mack and Joseph Smith, Sr.
This evening we will have dinner and stay in the quaint ski resort lodging of the Best Western Inn & Suites in Rutland, VT. Rutland is only 24 miles from where Oliver Cowdery was born! (Meals B, D)
Day 5 – Friday, September 18, 2026
Here we walk on sacred ground at the grave of Alvin Smith.
Leaving New England the scenery changes as we wind our way south and west to fertile fields and lovely lands in Western New York. We will enjoy stories of early church leaders of the church, where they came from and how they came to know the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We will talk about what it was like for Lucy Mack Smith to make the arduous journey with eight young children more than 300 miles (without her husband) to Palmyra.
Tonight we will stay in the Woodcliff Hotel and Spa in Fairport (near Rochester), New York (right near the old Erie Canal and not too far from Palmyra) and ready ourselves for a spiritual feast tomorrow. Dinner will be at your discretion at the amazing Wegmans Food Store & Deli (you will love Wegmans—we guarantee it). (Meals: B, D)
Day 6 – Saturday, September 19, 2026
You’ll feel the Spirit here at the farm of Joseph and Lucy Smith.
We will arise early to be at the Sacred Grove and experience this, one of the most significant holy places on the earth. For many this experience is the highlight of the whole trip. We will have our own, individual quiet time in the Grove. Afterwards, we will enjoy the Smith farm, tour the Smith frame House and the Smith Log Cabin (where the Angel Moroni visited the prophet). We will also visit the Hill Cumorah, Martin Harris Farm, the E.B. Grandin Printing Complex and the downtown village of Palmyra. Our little walk up the hill to the Smith Cemetery will touch you as we gather at the grave of Alvin Smith. This afternoon we may have the opportunity of attending a session at the Palmyra Temple (be sure you bring your own temple clothes—Sarah will let us know if the scheduling works).
Dinner will be at a local restaurant before we stay again at the Woodcliff Hotel tonight.
(Meals: B, D)
Day 7 – Sunday, September 20, 2026
You truly have to experience this newly restored (2015) Priesthood Restoration site. It is stunning.
Today is a VERY BIG day! This morning we head to Fayette where the Whitmers lived and the Church was legally organized on Tuesday, April 6, 1830. Twenty revelations for the Doctrine and Covenants were received here or near here. This is also the place where Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer received their special witnesses of the plates. We will attend sacrament meeting at the beautiful Fayette Ward then head south to Harmony, Pennsylvania to visit the beautiful Priesthood Restoration site. For some, this is considered the most beautiful of all the Church Historical sites. Here we will see the reconstructed homes of Joseph and Emma Smith, Isaac and Elizabeth Hale, and the section of woods where John the Baptist restored the priesthood. A good part of the Book of Mormon was translated here in Joseph and Emma’s Cabin (about 70%). We will walk along the banks of the Susquehanna River where the first baptisms were performed in this dispensation. This is such a memorable afternoon and early evening!
Later this evening we check into the Double Tree Inn in Binghamton for dinner and our overnight stay. Do not miss getting your free, freshly baked famous DoubleTree 2-ounce chocolate chip cookie as we arrive. These feature 30 chocolate chips (per cookie!), a hint of lemon juice, cinnamon and coconut and are absolutely delicious. DoubleTree has distributed more than 483 million of these to date and we want to do our part to keep that number high! (Meals: B, D)
Day 8 – Monday, September 21, 2026
Seventeen revelations were given in this upper room of the Newel K. Whitney Store here in Kirtland.
Today we travel through some of the western regions of New York and review the missionary labors of Samuel Harrison Smith (the Prophet’s little brother) and Parley P. Pratt. The latter headed for Ohio where their labors would change the history of the Church because of the conversion of his very good friend, Sidney Rigdon. About midmorning we will make a stop in Corning, New York at the glass factory in route to Kirkland, Ohio. We reach Kirtland in the late afternoon and tour the Newell K. Whitney home and Store as well as see some of the other Kirtland sites. Be prepared for a spiritual feast at the Whitney Store.
Dinner will be at the “Olive Garden” before checking into our Hotel in Mentor (the natives do not say the “t”—it’s Menor!). (Meals: B, D)
Day 9 – Tuesday, September 22, 2026
During that glorious week of the Kirtland Temple dedication in 1836 the Lord visited this room as well as numerous angels, including Moses, Elias and Elijah.
This morning Breakfast is provided at the hotel before we visit the Isaac and Lucy Morley Farm then tour the Kirtland Temple where The Lord Himself appeared as did Moses, Elias, Elijah, and numerous other angels. The script has changed a great deal since the Church purchased this historic temple March 5, 2024. You will love every minute of your time inside this sacred and holy place. We even get to go up into the third floor at the west end of the temple where Joseph had his office and saw a glorious vision of the celestial kingdom. After lunch we will travel on to the John and Elsa Johnson Farm in Hiram, Ohio where the vision of the three degrees of glory was received and at least 14 other revelations. Here the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon were mobbed, beaten and the Prophet tarred and feathered.
We travel to the heart of the Ohio Amish Country for an old-fashioned home style meal at the Dutch Valley Restaurant (eat light today because tonight, well, you can’t eat light). We stay tonight at the charming Carlisle Inn in Sugar Creek, a place where everyone begs us to stay longer! (Meals: B, D)
Day 10 – Wednesday, September 23, 2026
You will enjoy a buggy ride with the Amish. Holmes County Ohio boasts the largest population of Amish in the country.
This morning we will have the rare opportunity to spend more time with the Amish, touring their charming villages, seeing some of their local markets and talking to the people. You will love this experience and even have a chance to do some shopping! We will eat with one of our favorite Amish families in their home (don’t worry, they are all ready for large groups) and have another sumptuous meal together. We learn so much from the Amish.
Later this afternoon we will depart for the Cleveland airport for our flight to Kansas City. Our hotel for the next two nights is the Embassy Suites in Kansas City, Missouri. (Meals: B, D)
Day 11 – Thursday, September 24, 2026
The Liberty Jail beccame a temple-prison for the Prophet Joseph.
This morning we will visit Independence, Missouri. Here we will see the original temple lot, enjoy our own Latter-day Saint Visitors’ Center and see the original Jackson County Courthouse. We then head east to visit Richmond, Missouri where two of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon are buried. We then end our touring today in the Liberty Jail where the Prophet Joseph and his companions were imprisoned through the cold winter months of 1838/1839. Here we will feel the Spirit as we read the revelations and hear the voices of the past. We will also watch for the Kansas City Missouri Temple as we pass by it and see its beautiful setting in Clay County.
This evening we will have a wonderful meal either at the Cracker Barrel or a restaurant near our hotel. (Meals: B, D)
Day 12 – Friday, September 25, 2026
For many our visit to Adam-ondi-Ahman is the highlight of our tour.
We head for our morning teaching and meditational time at a very, very special place: Adam-ondi-Ahman! Here you will learn things you’ve never known and perhaps even feel things you have never felt. This is a very sacred place that dates to the beginning of recorded time. After a wonderful lunch on your own at a local Mexican Restaurant in Gallatin, we then visit the temple site at Far West and hear some powerful stories of faith and super faith here. We then make our way east along the approximate path the Saints were driven out of Missouri.
This evening we eat dinner in Hannibal at a local Chinese Restaurant where we have taken groups for many years. We then head the last hour and 25 minutes to Nauvoo! We will be staying at the Nauvoo Family Inn and Suites for the remaining three nights of our journey. (Meals: B, D)
Day 13 – Saturday, September 26, 2026
How can we ever forget that breathtaking announcement on April 4, 1999 that the Nauvoo Temple would be rebuilt?
This morning we step back in time and spend a glorious day touring the sites of Old Nauvoo—beginning with a session (either initiatory, sealing or endowment depending on availability and scheduling) in the stunning Nauvoo Temple. Today we’ll hear stories of the past and get a feel for “the City of Joseph”. We will see the moving Relief Society Gardens where thirteen monuments to women will touch your soul. We will tour Brigham Young’s home (recently renovated and redone), the Printing Complex, the Blacksmith Shop, the Seventies Hall, the Browning Gunsmith Shop and Home and as many other places as we can squeeze in—including the brand new Nauvoo Temple Visitors’ Center. You may receive a Nauvoo brick today as a souvenir from Nauvoo.
Tonight we will dine at the old Nauvoo Hotel (depending on their business situation–or some other nearby dining experience) with their wonderful all-you-can eat dinner buffet. Don’t miss their amazing cinnamon buns! (Meals: B, D)
Day 14 – Sunday, September 27, 2026
By the end of two weeks you will feel a deep love for Joseph and Hyrum.
We will attend the earliest Sacrament Meeting in the Nauvoo Ward and then tour more of Nauvoo. This afternoon we travel south and east to our final stop: The Carthage Jail. Here you will have one of the highlight experiences of the trip as we review the events of the Carthage Jail and talk about our feelings for Joseph and Hyrum. We end the tour with a group testimony meeting in Nauvoo at our hotel. (Meals: B, L)
Day 15 – Monday, September 28, 2026
We will have a wonderful Mississippi River boat ride/lunch cruise at Hannibal, Missour–Mark Twain’s home town.
As we say our farewells to Nauvoo this morning, we continue on to Mark Twain’s Hannibal on the Mississippi River where we’ll take a special luncheon cruise on a riverboat hosted by a charming family who really take pride in this experience and make you feel so welcome. You’ll delight in hearing the stories and folklore of this mighty river. Following this special lunch, we’ll immediately head to St. Louis with a brief stopover in Historic St. Charles, Missouri, the beginning of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, May 14, 1804. It’s only a tease but you will love your approximately one hour of walking these 18th and 19th century streets and maybe get an ice cream cone (only homemade) at Kilwin’s.
Now we sadly head to our evening flights home (only about 15 minutes from St. Charles). Farewell dear friends! (B, L)
Tour Cost Per Person includes hotels, deluxe motor coach, flight from Cleveland, Ohio to Kansas City, Missouri, entrance fees, taxes & gratuities, luggage handling, daily breakfast and dinner, and a Mississippi Riverboat cruise.
Credit Card price:
- Double Occupancy $4,479 per person.
- Ask Sarah about Single or Triple occupancy pricing.
Round trip airfare from home cities is not included, but may be booked with the group or secured on an individual basis (you are welcome to use frequent flyer miles).
Please call our agent, Sarah Wangsgard, at Morris Murdock Travel direct to her office at: 801-483-6473.
Please note again: This tour will sell out; if you would like to go right online and book it yourself, PLEASE CLICK HERE. When you get to that page, scroll down to where it says BOOK NOW and then set up your account and take care of it.
A deposit of $250.00 per person is necessary to hold space. Payment arrangements can be made with final payment due 60 days prior to the tour. Cancellation insurance is available and is always recommended.
