In June 2024, the History of the Saints team, Dennis Lyman and Glenn Rawson are taking a bus tour across the pioneer trail. The first group will travel by bus from Salt Lake, across Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, and finally into Nauvoo. Along the way, they will follow as closely as possible the actual pioneer trail. There will be stops at the Green River, Martin’s Cove, Devils Gate, Casper and the last crossing of the Platte. We will visit, Chimney Rock, Scots Bluff, Fort Laramie, the Guernsey Ruts, and so much more. At Nauvoo, we will spend time in the City and take in the wonderful sites, especially those recently acquired. There will even be time for a temple session. On our last night in Nauvoo, we will walk the Trail of Hope—down Parley Street to the Mississippi River. As the sun goes down, we look out to the west and imagine that trail of 1300 miles before them. The next day we drive into northern Missouri and shift our focus to 1838-39 and the Exodus of Missouri following the Extermination Order of Governor Lilburn W. Boggs. We will visit the Hawn’s Mill martyrdom site, Far West, and Adam-ondi-Ahman. The last hours of the tour are spent at Liberty Jail and Independence. From there the group will fly home and Dennis and Glenn will welcome a new group flying in. The next morning, we reverse the trail all the way back to Salt Lake City.
The entirety of the journey will be filled with the stories of those early saints and pioneers. The Trail will come to life. Nauvoo will stir the imagination and evoke images of the once prospering city that it was. This tour will make the past personal and connect you with your ancestors.
Glenn Rawson
History of the Saints – Building Faith Through Church History