Book of Mormon Chronology

St. Mark's Lighthouse

Leake Mound

Kirtland Temple

Etowah Mounds

Hill Cumorah

Ready to get Started with Book of Mormon Chronology?

Check out our new optional Pre-Tour extension!

October 9-22, 2023

$2,595

per person, based on double occupancy

$3,375

per person, based on single occupancy

$2,335

per person, based on triple occupancy

$2,210

per person, based on quad occupancy

Guided by Rod Meldrum

14 day tour includes:

13 night hotel accommodations
Deluxe motor-coach transportation
Museum entrance fees and guide
13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners

Not included:

Airfare to Tallahasse, FL and from Rochester, NY
Airline baggage fees
Tips for driver and guide
Meals other than listed
Additional trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance

Itinerary

Day 1

TALLAHASSEE - ST. MARKS LIGHTHOUSE

Fly into TALLAHASSEE FLORIDA and board motor coach to drive back 2,000 years in time. We will drive through the pristine swamps and grasslands of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Our destination is the picturesque ST. MARK’S LIGHTHOUSE on the undisturbed coastline of the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, guests will experience the thrill of a gulf coast sunset at is may have looked when Lehi and his family arrived in this area nearly 600 years before Christ.

Day 2

LETCHWORTH-LOVE MOUNDS - KENNESAW

We leave our luxury accommodations in Tallahassee for LETCHWORTH-LOVE MOUNDS state archaeological Park. Here we see the state of Florida’s tallest Native America ceremonial earthwork and talk about the Lamanite occupation of this land for centuries. We then travel to Macon, Georgia to visit OCMULGEE NATIONAL MONUMENT and museum. Ocmulgee houses the only fully excavated mound that has been restored so that you can actually go inside the sacred ceremonial area that once stood there. Finally, we drive on past Atlanta to KENNESAW Georgia.

Day 3

LEAKE MOUNDS - ETOWAH INDIAN MOUNDS - DOLLYWOOD

After breakfast you will enjoy a quick stop at the Nephite time-frame LEAKE MOUNDS Interpretive Trail. This will be followed by a visit to ETOWAH INDIAN MOUNDS Historic Site. Here we see several the huge earth mounds adjacent to the Etowah River. We then follow a course along the southern side of the picturesque Appalachian Mountains to CHEROKEE, North Carolina. At the fabulous MUSEUM OF THE CHEROKEE INDIAN we see the new display of the famous Bat Creek Stone. Unearthed in 1889 in an official archaeological excavation displays ancient Hebrew characters inscribed upon it. Next, you will experience the majestic beauty of climbing over the GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK into PIGEON FORGE.

Day 4

KNOXVILLE - OLD STONE FORT - JACKSON

Our first stop today is the McClung Museum on the campus of the University of Tennessee in KNOXVILLE. Here we will learn about the Book of Mormon’s Land of Nephi connections. Then we skirt along the northern Appalachian Mountains to Chattanooga, TN. Climbing to the top of Lookout Mountain, which overlooks portions of 7 southeastern states is certainly a highlight! OLD STONE FORT is an ancient ‘place of retreat’ surrounded by canyons and waterfalls. And included in addition a sophisticated “place of entrance.” Next we visit NASHVILLE to see the fabulous Tennessee State Museum. This museum houses hundreds of beautiful artifacts of the ancient people of American. From there we drive to JACKSON, Tennessee for dinner and a comfortable nights rest.

Day 5

PINSON MOUNDS - NEW MADRID

After breakfast you will visit PINSON MOUNDS State Park for a walk through the museum and a possible hike up massive Saul’s Mound. From there we are on to explore the mighty changes that occurred in this region at the time of Christ’s death through a visit to the NEW MADRID Historical Museum. Paducah is at the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers. Moreover, we propose that Mosiah came north on the Tennessee River to reach the land of Zarahemla. Guests get a chance to pass through the flood wall and its beautiful historical murals to the water’s edge. You will certainly appreciate how massive these rivers are as we learn about the roles they played in Book of Mormon history. The group will stay the night in Paducah, KY.

Day 6

STONE FORT - CAHOKIA MOUNDS - HANNIBAL

This morning you will experience one site along a string of ancient fortifications at the southern tip of Illinois, in Giant City State Park called simply STONE FORT. Following our short hike to the overlook we will relax on the coach while we make our way to the largest earth structure in the world. This structure is the massive Monks Mound. Its 17 acre base rises to an impressive 100 feet in height. Monks Mound is located in CAHOKIA MOUNDS State Historic Site, just east of St. Louis. In conclusion, we travel to Mark Twain’s boyhood hometown of HANNIBAL, Missouri to overnight.

Day 7

LITTLE MOUND CEMETERY - ZARAHEMLA - NAUVOO

After a quick ride down Hannibal’s Main Street, our group will head north with our first stop first at LITTLE MOUND CEMETERY. This ancient burial mound is just outside of Keokuk, Iowa. In addition we will visit the area of ZARAHEMLA, named that by the Lord in D&C 125:3. We will discuss why the Des Moines rapids made this site one of the most strategically important locations in all of North America. We will also visit the Phoenicia Museum– home of the 600 BC replica ship. Likewise, guests will view the Mississippi River from high above as we cross the Fort Madison Bridge and enter historic NAUVOO. Beginning with a bus tour of Old Nauvoo to acquaint you with the many sites where you can visit during your free time the following day. Guests will enjoy a special fireside presentation that evening in October. In July, guests will enjoy the Nauvoo Fair and pageant.

Day 8

NAUVOO TEMPLE - OLD NAUVOO - TRAIL OF HOPE

For those who would like, guest are able to attend a session at the beautifully restored and historic NAUVOO TEMPLE. In the afternoon, guests will likewise have fun exploring OLD NAUVOO, and all the wonderful sights and sounds of ‘Joseph’s City.’ Certainly this visit wouldn’t be complete without a walk down the Trail of Hope and visit to the Smith Family Cemetery. Joseph, Hyrum, Emma, Lucy Mack and Joseph Senior are buried here, along with a surprising ancient secret about this sacred location.

Day 9

CARTHAGE JAIL - ZELPH'S MOUND - SPRINGFIELD

As we say goodbye to old Nauvoo, our thoughts will turn to Joseph’s life – and death – as we visit CARTHAGE JAIL. Here we will discuss the life of the founding prophet of this dispensation. Next we will explore the hidden trail to ZELPH’S MOUND where Joseph received a vision. While on the mound, Joseph was shown an ancient Book of Mormon warrior, who was killed and buried there following one of the final battles between the Nephites and Lamanites. We travel next to President Abraham Lincoln’s hometown of SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – finishing our day in CHAMPAIGNE.

Day 10

MIAMISBURG MOUND - FORT ANCIENT

This morning the group will watch some important videos while we traverse the state of INDIANA. Our first site stop will be to climb to the top of the Jaredite time-frame MIAMISBURG MOUND in Ohio. Not far distant is the hill top fortification called FORT ANCIENT State Memorial. This wonderful museum houses not only one of the great museums of the Hopewell (Nephites) civilization, but also has a replica home guests can enter. Likewise, you will have a chance to try your warrior skills by learning how to “cast” an atl-atl spear like they did anciently!

Day 11

SERPENT MOUND - SEIP MOUND - MOUND CITY

Once we leave the hotel in Cincinnati, you will experience one of the world’s most mysterious places, the ancient SERPENT MOUND. Perched atop a sacred plateau, this effigy mound intrigues archeologist and visitors alike. SEIP MOUND, nestled in the bottom of the Paint Creek Valley is our next stop. After that we visit MOUND CITY, home of the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park in Chillicothe. We conclude the day at the region’s best Hopewell artifact exhibit at the OHIO HISTORY CENTER in Columbus. We finish the day with a special evening meeting at our comfortable hotel in NEWARK, Ohio.

Day 12

GREAT OCTAGON - GREAT CIRCLE - HOLY STONES

Today you will experience what may be one of the most sacred locations in America, the GREAT OCTAGON and GREAT CIRCLE. These two earthwork embankments are all that remain of an ancient 4 square mile ceremonial complex unrivaled in the world. It is believed that this could be the location of the temple mentioned in the Book of Mormon in the land Bountiful with all that implies. Our next stop will be the Johnson Hummrick House Museum which houses the incredible Newark HOLY STONES. Following which we will visit other important site in Church history, the JOHN JOHNSON HOME. Here Joseph and Emma lived, loved, received revelations and visitations. This is also the home where Joseph was tarred and feathered. We conclude the day taking in the beauties of the – KIRTLAND VISITORS CENTER.

Day 13

KIRTLAND TEMPLE - SMITH FARM - GRANDIN PRESS

An morning visit to the majestic KIRTLAND TEMPLE is awaiting you as we tour through this historic landmark. As we head east we will stop along the shores of LAKE ERIE, one of the Great Lakes. Next we visit the SMITH FARM and SACRED GROVE where Joseph Smith learned of his divine role as prophet and received the First Vision which ushered in the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Next you will be treated to a stop at the GRANDIN PRESS where the Book of Mormon was printed. In July, guests will enjoy dinner at the Hill Cumorah, before the pageant. In October, guests will conclude the day at the Palmyra Inn, your hotel for the evening. The hotel is just up the street from the PALMYRA TEMPLE. We will visit the temple for pictures.

Day 14

HILL CUMORAH - ROCHESTER AIRPORT

This morning we will drive to the crest of the one and only HILL CUMORAH. This historic hill overlooks the final resting places of two entire civilizations that once inhabited this land and whose history is found in the Book of Mormon. From this hill wrote the prophet Moroni of the final destruction of his people. In addition, he deposited their sacred history in a stone box atop this very hill. This morning we will reflect upon this monumental history, its implications, its importance and its relevance in our lives. After some time in the visitor’s center there you will be transported to the ROCHESTER AIRPORT for your flight home. We trust you will consider the profound impact the Book of Mormon Chronology tour can have upon your testimony of the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Payment Terms:
$300 pp deposit at time of booking
Final payment due 90 days before departure
**This tour is based on a minimum of 20 passengers and max of 50 passengers.

All Itinerary items are subject to change without notice at the discretion of the tour company, its hosts and affiliates.

Legacy Tours and Travel, LLC reserves the right to alter the itinerary and/or substitute sightseeing and/or other tour features if deemed necessary.

Rod L. meldrum

Rod L. Meldrum is a researcher, best-selling LDS author, and international lecturer on the validity of the Book of Mormon with an emphasis on its scriptural and physical evidences. His book titled, “Exploring the Book of Mormon in America’s Heartland” is the #1 LDS Book about Book of Mormon geography with over 40,000 copies printed. He began guiding the Book of Mormon Chronology Tour in 2018.

Rod has also written a book titled “Prophecies and Promises; The Book of Mormon and the USA.” This book outlines the 36 Prophecies and Promises that clearly identify
the United States as the location of the ‘Promised Land’ of the Latter-days. It has been called a “stunning” new insight on geography research and provides historical evidence that documents containing Joseph Smith’s words, writings, and actions were consistent with the prophecies & promises of the Book of Mormon. He also served for seven years as the senior scientific researcher on the book titled, “Universal Model” by Dean Sessions, a natural sciences textbook. The first volume of over
800 pages was just printed in 2017 and volume two printed in 2018, with volume three to follow. It’s over 2,500 pages of “New Millennial Science.”

He began his study of issues surrounding the controversy over DNA and the Book of Mormon in 2003 which led to a study of the origins of proposed geographical settings of the Book of Mormon. In addition, he has spent years of intensive study of the Book of Mormon itself and the historical background and documents associated with it. He is passionate about sharing his research of the Book of Mormon Chronology with others.