12 Day Cumorah to Bountiful Tour
January 6 – January 17, 2009
$3,445 per person double occupancy
Does not include international airfair
(United States to Villahermosa, Mexico and Belize City to the United States)
Includes four internal air flights, eleven nights hotel accommodations, two or more meals daily, first class bus transportation, entrance fees and guide service to places listed on the itinerary, taxes and tips on group items, literature and maps pertaining to your tour, and escorted by professional tour director Blake Joseph Allen.
A tour deposit of $500 per person is due upon registration. The total payment is due by November 6, 2008. The deposit is non-refundable; however, it may be transferred to another tour if taken within 12 months of the original scheduled tour departure. See terms and conditions for details.
This tour begins in the “land among many waters” portion of the Book of Mormon history. You will experience the climate and surroundings of the people of Lachoneus, the Jaredite lands as you travel through the areas where they lived and were ultimately destroyed and the Nephite land of Bountiful. A highlight of this tour is a visit to the proposed land and city Bountiful where the Savior visited the Nephites. You will also visit the area where Mormon hid up the records as he gave his son, Moroni, the Nephite record that would come forth in our day. You will visit four LDS temples, fourteen archaeological sites and museums, and thirteen locations associated with the Book of Mormon. Call today to book your space on this exceptional Book of Mormon experience.
Itinerary
Day 1: Tuesday, January 6, Villahermosa, Tabasco
Our flights take us to Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico, which represents the western edge of the “land among many waters” described in Mosiah 8:8. Upon arrival we will transfer to our deluxe hotel.
Day 2: Wednesday, January 7, Villahermosa, Tabasco
Although only four percent of the population of the country of Mexico live in the State of Chiapas, over 40% of the wild animals live in the Tehuantepec, Chiapas and Lacondone mountains. This is reminiscent of the statement in Ether wherein it states that the “land southward was preserved for a wilderness to get game” (Ether 10:21). We will take a two hour bus ride to the majestic Classic time period Maya ruins of Palenque. We will analyze the panel of glyphs at the Temple of the Cross which shows the lineage of a 7th century AD king named Chan Balaam, which dates back to a Jaredite king named Kish, who was born on March 8, 993 BC. We will return to Villahermosa where we will spend the night. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 3: Thursday, January 8, Catemaco, Veracruz
Today we will visit the Villahermosa Temple and then bus along Mexico’s “golden lane” passing by both the “place where the sea divides the land” (Gulf of Mexico), and the “narrow neck of land” (Isthmus of Tehuantepec). (See Ether 10:20.) Prior to our arrival at beautiful Lake Catemaco where we will spend the night, we will pass by the hill Shim (Cintepec) where Mormon obtained the records for his history (See Mormon 1:3, 17). (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4: Friday, January 9, Veracruz, Veracruz
Today is a highlight of the tour. We will check out of our hotel and visit the hill where leading Latter-day Saint scholars are in agreement as to the location of the hill Ramah/Cumorah mentioned in the Book of Mormon (Mormon 6:2,6; Ether 15:11). We will travel through the area of the waters of Ripliancum (Ether 15:8), a place that has the same meaning in the Aztec (Nahuatl) language, “exceeding large waters.” We will drive into the city of Veracruz where we will spend the night and have the opportunity to see the Veracruz Temple. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5: Saturday, January 10, Mexico City, Mexico
This morning we will take a flight to Mexico City. Upon arrival we will visit the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan. Occupied from about 200 BC to AD 900, Teotihuacan was one of the largest populated cities in the world during its peak. The inspiring pyramids of the Sun and Moon attract millions of visitors to this most popular archaeological zone in Mexico. This may have been the great city built by King Jacob of the Gadianton Robbers (See 3 Nephi 7). Returning to Mexico City in the afternoon, we will stop at the Shrine of Guadalupe where we will learn about the origin of the Catholic Church in Mexico. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 6: Sunday, January 11, Mexico City
This morning we will attend church and see the LDS temple which has been recently renovated. Afterwards, we will visit see the Mexico City temple which is currently undergoing renovation. We will also visit the downtown center of Mexico City and see the National Palace, National Cathedral and Great Temple of the Aztecs. In the afternoon, we will visit the National Museum of Anthropology, one of the most spectacular archaeological museums in the world. Touring the museum will provide us with an excellent review of our tour and expose us to many beautiful exhibits ranging from ancient pottery to gold and jade jewelry. We will return to the hotel for our last night. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 7: Monday, January 12, Oaxaca, Oaxaca
Transferring to the Mexico City airport we will take a morning flight to the colonial city of Oaxaca (pronounced Wa-Ha-Ca). Oaxaca represents the beginning of Book of Mormon history and also the beginning of investigative study on Book of Mormon history and geography. The Oaxaca valley has archaeological evidence that dates to the Jaredite time period and as a result is considered to be the ancient area of the Jaredite lands called Moron. LDS scholars believe that the Jaredites landed on the Pacific side and moved inland and that a branch of their society settled in the Oaxaca area. Three kingships later they moved to the Gulf Coast area. Olmec/Jaredite settlements began to show up along the Gulf Coast between 2000 and 1500 BC. As we arrive in Oaxaca, we will visit the site of San Jose Magote dating to 2600 BC and having Mesopotamian style stonework which may indicate their coming from the Tower of Babel area and time period. We will also visit a black pottery shop. Today, there are four stakes, a mission and a temple at Oaxaca. A visit to the Oaxaca Temple will culminate our day. This is the 74th temple of the church and was dedicated in 2000. It withstood two earthquakes during construction. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8: Tuesday, January 13, Oaxaca, Oaxaca
This morning we will climb by bus to the top of the mountain where the ancient Zapotec ruins of Monte Alban are located. The early Zapotecs may also have been part of the Mulekite culture. Here we will summarize the three civilizations identified in the Book of Mormon: the Jaredites, Mulekites and Nephites. It was at Monte Alban, excavated by Alfonso Casso, where the evidence of a written language was first discovered in Mesoamerica. The site dates from 500 BC to AD 700 and may have been controlled by the Nephites beginning at the reign of King Mosiah at about 100 BC. In the afternoon we will visit the Zapotec ruins of Mitla. Although built about AD 700, it shows outstanding accomplishment in the workings of cement and intricate design. Zapotec civilization began in the Oaxaca valley about 500 BC and would probably be considered as part of the Mulekite culture. Mitla is a post Book of Mormon site. This is a fun place to shop as a variety of woven goods made by the modern day Zapotecs are available for sale. We will also have time to visit the Santo Domingo Church and Museum and enjoy the flavor of the central square of Oaxaca. As a colonial city, Oaxaca was also the home of Benito Juarez, a contemporary of Joseph Smith, and Mexico’s only pure native President. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9: Wednesday, January 14, Kohunlich, Quintana Roo
A morning flight will take us to the far eastern coast of Mexico at Chetumal. Upon arrival we will transfer to the archaeological site of Kohunlich which is best known for its Temple of the Masks, an Early Classic pyramid whose central stairway is flanked by large stucco masks. The temple was built around AD 500. The giant masks represent the Sun God "Kinich Ahau". The city rose to prominence in the Early Classic when there were important ties to the cultures of northern Belize. Afterwards, we will check into our deluxe jungle lodge cabanas, a favorite of all. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 10: Thursday, January 15, Kohunlich, Quintana Roo
This morning we will visit the archaeological zone of Dzibanche, a fertile region where evidence suggests the city Bountiful may have been located where the Savior visited the Nephites. Dzibanche, meaning “writing on wood,” owes its name to the fact that Temple number VI had a fairly large lintel made from quebracho wood that bears eight glyphs dated to AD 618. Dzibanche was a major site in the Maya area in the Classic Period (AD 300-900). Afterwards, we will visit the ancient fortified city of Becan, which is remarkably similar to those constructed by Captain Moroni in the East Wilderness of the Book of Mormon. Becan would be located in the East Wilderness area. After our visit of Becan we will return to our hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11: Friday, January 16, Belize City, Belize
This morning we will cross into the country of Belize and travel south to the New River. Traveling up the river by speed boats is an amazing experience as our guide introduces us to some of the many species of tropical birds, the beautiful vegetation, and possibly a crocodile or two. Arriving at Lamanai we will have a guided tour of the remnants of this ancient Mayan city that may have been the land of Jershon mentioned in the Book of Mormon. After enjoying a traditional Belizean lunch, we will return by boat to Orange Walk and proceed to Belize City for our last night of the tour. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 12: Saturday, January 17, Flights Home
We transfer to the airport where we will check in for our flights home. Our journey to the Book of Mormon lands has come to an end, but we will take with us memories that will last a lifetime.
Prices and itineraries are subject to change.
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