Your Grand LDS Israel Tour

Itinerary of the Day

One of the "greatest experiences of your life" commences with your flight connecting into Tel-Aviv (Israel).

Itinerary of the Day

Arrival is usually at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV). After passport control, you will be met by a 'SMILE' representative who will assist you in claiming your luggage and escort you to your transfer 'Up to Jerusalem'. (For those arriving over the Jordan River, from one of the Optional Additional Programs, clear security, go through passport control, collect your luggage and exit the arrivals hall. Upon exiting the arrivals hall look for your driver, with your name placard, and proceed 'Up to Jerusalem')

Keys Revealed - Keys Conferred

Sites of the Day:

Jordan River Baptismal Site - Mt. Tabor (the Transfiguration) - The Jezreel (Armageddon) Valley

How did the Mt. of Transfiguration become the highest spot on the face of the Earth?

Insights of the Day

• At the lowest spot on the face of the Earth, where living waters still flows, the Savior descended below them all.
• Simple followers, who save, are honored by one who has the higher glory.
• The Savior, coming to be immersed, is tempted by wealth.
• At Mt. Tabor, above the Armageddon, Pres. Spencer W. Kimball opened our eyes to “the highest spot on the face of the Earth.”

Keys Revealed - Keys Conferred

Sites of the Day:

The Western Wall Tunnel - Church of St. Anne (Pool of Bethesda) - The BYU Jerusalem Center - Orson Hyde Memorial Garden - The City of David & Hezekiah's Tunnel - The Pool of Siloam

Insights of the Day

• Massive hewn stones which form the foundation for the temple complex built by King Herod still lay witness to the Rock of Salvation.
• A lame man of 38 years, waiting for relief at perceived place of healing, was commanded to "take up thy bed, and walk!".
• The Brigham Young University Center of Near Eastern Studies stands as a beacon of light over the city of Jerusalem.
• Orson Hyde with a clear vision of Jerusalem, capital of a distinct nation, blessed the land to abound with water when possessed by its rightful heirs.
• A blind man sent to receive new sight by living waters was witness of one sent by the Father to be a light to the world.

Keys Revealed - Keys Conferred

Sites of the Day:

The Valley of Ajalon (Joshua, the sun and the moon & battles) - Bet Shemesh (Birth of Sampson) - Ramat Lehi (Sampson's Spring & 1st Temple Period Cave) - Valley of Elah (David & Goliath)

Insights of the Day

• Samson, from Bet Shemesh, a judge in Israel, misused his God-given strength. In crushing the Philistines, he worshiped himself.
• At the High Place of Lehi, the Philistines' jaws drop as Samson finds relief.
• A cavity in the rock is refuge to those escaping the destruction of Jerusalem's 1st temple.
• David's childlike faith in the Lord brought down a giant with a sling and a stone.

The Peaceful Sabbath Day

Sites of the Day:

BYU Jerusalem Center – Sabbath Services with the Jerusalem Branch – Afternoon at Leisure (for rest & worship)

How did the LDS Sabbath come to be on Saturday in Israel?

Insights of the Day

• With the re-establishment of the Jerusalem Branch in the Latter-days, the Brethren established Church approval for Saturday observance of the Sabbath in Israel.
• With respect for the “cultural and religious identity of the people of Israel,” LDS church members are welcome to attend LDS Sabbath Services with the Jerusalem Branch.
• The afternoon is at leisure, perhaps for venturing on one’s own into the Old City & walking atop its walls!

Life, Death, and Resurrection

Sites of the Day:

Oldest Jewish Cemetery in the World (along a Road to Jericho) - Passing a Samaritan’s Inn - Massada - Qumran (the Dead Sea Scrolls) - Dead Sea (Float) - The Jordan River Valley

Did “Good” Samaritan mean “Bad” Jew? Where do Dead Sea Scrolls come alive?

Insights of the Day

• The Savior told a story of a Levite and a Priest, and of a Samaritan (who ended up extending himself past his ethnic identity, saving a life).
• With hope of higher life, the Essenes, consecrating their wealth, migrated to the Dead Sea wilderness.
• Learning of temples where the sacrifice of a lamb symbolizes the sacrifice of One bringing new life.
• Zealots at Masada ultimately sacrificed their lives in vain with real hope of redemption. (Ezekiel 37 was the only full chapter surviving Masada’s ruin. It contains a promise of the hope of redemption.)
• Today, as the land is being redeemed, ethnic identities and border lines are being extended in hope of peace.

Healing Body, Mind, and Spirit

Sites of the Day:

Tel-Dan (Headwaters of the Jordan) - Passing Caesarea Philippi - Capernaum - Sea of Galilee Boat Ride (availability depending on no sudden storms & group size) - Mt. of Beatitudes

What does it take to “walk on water?” More about Jesus in Galilee.

Insights of the Day

• The Savior, at the Headwaters of the Jordan River, asked, “Whom do men say that I am?” . . . here he named Simon “Rocky” (Peter).
• The same water turning the millstones, grinding and producing bread, maintained life.
• The ‘Fountain of Living Waters”, bearing the weight of our millstones, gives us life.
• In Capernaum, where He performed most of his miracles, we learn of Jesus relieving the millstone of death, healing a family as “Talitha” arose.
• The Sea of Galilee, continuing to provide Israel with water, maintains life in the land.
• On the same water, the sinking Peter (Rock), crying “Lord save me,” learns that the “Rock of Salvation” came to save.
• On the Mount of Beatitudes, opening eyes, ears and heart, the Savior taught “Come unto me,” promising the Healing Spirit.

Teach Me To Walk in the Light

Sites of the Day:

Nazareth (The Brow of the Hill) - Haifa (Panorama) - Caesarea - Jaffa - The Judean Hills up to Jerusalem

How to “get stoned?” The real story of Nazareth and Caesarea.

Insights of the Day

• The Savior, “passing through the midst of them”, taught us to walk in his light.
• A modern city rising on a dew-endowed Mount Carmel, becomes the resting place of Mormons and Bahais. Learn how the feelings of brotherhood can replace persecution.
• Almost” was not enough as Paul, teaching Herod Agrippa in Caesarea, challenges listeners to become like “I Am.”
• Jonah, avoiding the call to teach Gentiles, by escaping to Jaffa, sinks to new heights as the Lord brings him up from the depths of the sea.
• Terraces, olive trees and unfinished watchtowers used to maintain peace, remind us that all roads lead “Up to Jerusalem,” beckoning us to gather to the Mountain of the Lord to find “Shalom” - peace.

Symbols of the Past, Pattern the Future

Sites of the Day:

The Temple Mount (Dome of the Rock & Al-Aksa) - The Model City & Shrine of the Book (Israel Museum & the Dead Sea Scrolls) - Bet Shemesh (Sampson & Delilah) - Valley of Elah (David & Goliath)

Was it "Temple Square" or a building? Moslem claims to the Temple Mount?

Insights of the Day

• The Savior’s House, located on the Temple Mount (where Moslem worship patterns are witnessed today), causes one to ask, “Will He suddenly return home to the same place?”
• In the Israel Museum, ancient temple artifacts reflect the timeless eternity of worship practices.
• The Essenes’ Dead Sea Scrolls reveal a redesigned temple that includes the entire city of Jerusalem. Although they had an understanding of the signs of the seasons, they failed to recognize the Lord and the signs of his times.
• A view of a miniature city of 2000-years ago, revealing Jerusalem’s major impact on the world, also reminds us that from the City of Peace (Shalom) came His peace.
• Samson, from Bet Shemesh, a judge in Israel, misused his God-given strength. In crushing the Philistines, he worshiped himself.
• David’s childlike faith in the Lord brought down a giant with a sling and a stone.
• Israel, the diamond capital of the world, reveals its knowhow and “brilliant” skills. (Precious gem stones, including a diamond, were used in the ancient Temple.)

Rebuilding and Restoring

Sites of the Day:

The Old City & Cardo (“Holy” Sepulcher & Jewish Quarter) - The Western (Wailing) Wall - Temple Mount Archeological Park - Bethlehem (Manger Square & Church)

How would it feel to "Walk Today Where Jesus Walked?"

Insights of the Day

• The Savior’s atonement (obscured by arguments over ownership of a Sepulcher) manifests itself in the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
• Destroyed by fire in the first century, the preserved and rebuilt ruins of the Holy City remind us of promised redemption.
• One discovers temple-like clothing and ritual celebration at the Western (Wailing) Wall.
• Ancient money changers, who assisted people with temple worship, are remembered as one steps where Jesus walked.

I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked

Sites of the Day:

The Hillsides of Bethlehem - An Upper Room - Mt. of Olives (account of Gethsemane) - Caiaphas’ Palace & Antonia Fortress (accounts of trial before Caiaphas & Pilate) - Place of a Skull (Golgotha) - The Garden Tomb (Death, Burial & Resurrection)

Where are the "Three Days and Three Nights" in the scriptures?

Insights of the Day

• Bethlehem hillsides with sheep and shepherds overshadow churches’ disputations of ownership of Jesus’ traditional birthplace. The loneliness, obscurity and difficulty of His birth are sweetly replaced with songs of Herald Angels.
• The Savior brought Lazarus out of a grave, causing a Bethany family to be reunited, helping us understand that families can be together forever!
• The symbolism of Passover rituals set the stage for understanding the Last Supper and the sacrament.
• The Mount of Olives, place of the Red heifer sacrifices, is where the Savior’s blood-stained atoning sacrifice occurred. He will return to this mount in red clothing.
• Walking ancient steps to Caiphas’ and Pontius Pilate’s palaces, reminds us of the mocking trials He endured.
• Remembering the reason He came, visualizing along the roadway, a visible place of execution. Close by, a Jewish Garden Tomb of the first century is empty, quietly reminding us that He lives. He suffered, died, and came alive again, preparing the way for us to be together with Him and our Father in Heaven.

Depart Israel

Today we say SHALOM (the traditional 'hello' and 'goodbye' in Israel means PEACE). "May peace be with you," and your family & friends always, as your Holy Land experience continues giving you eternal memories of the land, the people and the scriptures. For most, your airport shuttle transfers you to the Tel-Aviv airport for your scheduled Flight.

Optional Additional Programs, transfer to a Jordan River Crossing.