9 LDS Church history day-trip destinations

Church history sites dot nearly every corner of Nauvoo, Illinois. Upstate New York and Kirtland, Ohio, have their share of historically significant places too. But families living in Utah County don’t need to drive across the country to learn more about the heritage of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Mormon Historic Sites Foundation, which was originally formed in 1992 as the Ensign Peak Foundation, works to identify, preserve and commemorate places of historical importance to the Church. These 9 Utah locations are some of the foundation’s registered historic sites and are all within a few hours’ drive from Utah Valley.

 

1. Cove Fort, Millard County

Distance from Provo: 133 miles

Dedicated: May 9, 1992, by Gordon B. Hinckley

Significant because: Cove Fort is the only fort built during the settling of the Utah Territory that remains standing. It was built in 1867 under the supervision of Ira Nathaniel Hinckley, grandfather of President Gordon B. Hinckley. Ira Hinckley was called to do so by Brigham Young.

The fort served people traveling across Utah by giving them a place to rest during the long journey between settlements. As the need for a fort waned over the years, Cove Fort was owned privately until the Church acquired it in 1988.

Things to see: Tour the fort grounds, including the house, garden, blacksmith shop and more.

 

2. Brigham Young’s Winter Home, St. George

Distance from Provo: 259 miles

Purchased and restored in: The 1970s

Significant because: Brigham Young, the second president of the Church, spent several winters here with members of his family. The warmer climate in St. George helped ease the pain of his rheumatism.

Things to see: Exhibits on display—the home has been restored as a museum.

 

3. Temple Square, Salt Lake City

Distance from Provo: 45 miles

Significant because: Home to the original settlement of Saints in 1847; site of the Salt Lake Temple, Church headquarters and several historic sites

Things to see: Assembly Hall, Beehive House, Salt Lake Tabernacle, Salt Lake Temple, Seagull Monument, Deuel Log Home (in Pioneer Park), Visitors Centers, landscaping on Temple Square in the summer, lights on Temple Square during the Christmas Season.

 

4. Ensign Peak, Salt Lake City

Distance from Provo: 48 miles

Dedicated on: July 26, 1996, by Gordon B. Hinckley

Significant because: President Brigham Young hiked Ensign Peak with eight others shortly after their arrival in Salt Lake City. He said he had seen the peak in vision and was told to “build under the point where the colors fall, and you will prosper and have peace.”

Things to see: 18-foot monument, which is made of stones collected from stakes along the Mormon Trail. Also Ensign Peak Nature Park, Ensign Peak trail and a memorial garden near the base of the peak.

 

5. Icelandic Monument, Spanish Fork

Distance from Provo: 9 miles 

Dedicated on: June 25, 2005, by Gordon B. Hinckley

Significant because: A majority of LDS Icelandic emigrants who came to Salt Lake City settled in Spanish Fork. The Daughters of Utah Pioneers and the Icelandic Association of Utah dedicated a lighthouse monument commemorating the Icelandic settlement in 1938. In 2005, additions including an additional monument, a rock from Iceland and several plaques with historical accounts of Icelandic pioneers etched on them were constructed.  

Things to see: “Wall of Honor” that lists the names of Icelandic pioneers, annual Iceland Days celebration.

 

6. Jacob Hamblin Home, St. George

Distance from Provo: 259 miles

Significant because: Jacob Hamblin was a great missionary to the Native Americans and significant Church figure because of his missionary efforts.

Things to see: Tour the home where Hamblin lived with his large family, including an orchard of fruit trees and the porch where his family dried fruit.

 

7. James G. Willie Rock Home, Mendon

Distance from Provo: 122 miles

Significant because: James G. Willie led the Willie Handcart Company and later helped settle Mendon, Utah. He lived with his family in this home for more than 40 years.

Things to see: Tour the home, which was restored by James’ great-grandson Paul Willie.

 

8. Martin Harris Gravesite, Clarkston

Distance from Provo: 141 miles

Monument dedicated on: July 10, 1925—the 50th anniversary of Martin Harris’ death, by Heber J. Grant

Significant because: Martin Harris was one of the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon. Though he left the Church for a time, he returned to full fellowship later in life. He is buried with a copy of the Book of Mormon in his right hand and a copy of the Doctrine and Covenants in this left.

Things to see: Historical musical play called “Martin Harris: The Man Who Knew,” which is performed in an amphitheater near the gravesite.

 

9. St. George Tabernacle, St. George

Distance from Provo: 259 miles

Dedicated on: May 14, 1876

Significant because: President Lorenzo Snow visited Church members in St. George and, while speaking in the tabernacle, received a revelation that the time had come for all Church members to pay a full tithe.  

Things to see: Community events held in the tabernacle, including regular concerts and Church meetings.