By GABRIELLE SHIOZAWA
Moapa Valley Progress
What happens when you load 48 Moapa Valley residents on a bus in the Midwest? You get the Leavitt Tours Church History Trip, a nine-day spiritual adventure across seven states. This year’s trip, which took place from June 3-11, instilled beliefs in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the hearts of its attendees.
The church history trip has been a valley tradition for graduating high schoolers since the 1970s, when it was first organized by the late Lynn Bowler. Locals Nick and Launa Leavitt rebranded it as Leavitt Tours in the 1990s. Their son, Brandon, and his wife, Mandi, took over the operation in 2015.
Mandi Leavitt said her favorite aspect of the trip is getting to watch the youth connect the stories of early Church pioneers to their own lives.
“As we go to different sites, you see the wheels turn in their brains,” Leavitt said. “They find lessons that will hopefully sustain them through life and will strengthen their faith.”
The trip began with a flight to Kansas City, Missouri and ended about 1,000 miles later in Palmyra, New York. Highlights included performing baptisms for the dead in the Nauvoo Temple, sharing testimonies in the Sacred Grove in Palmyra and visiting Carthage Jail, where the Church’s founding prophet Joseph Smith was martyred by an angry mob.
“One of my favorite parts was the Nauvoo temple,” said participant Jesse Robison. “It made me [recognize that] God is in every temple…The work that is done there is so important. Actually being in all of these places testified to me that they really did happen.”
Reanna Lyon’s favorite stop was the Morley Farm in Ohio where Joseph Smith resided for a time.
“It was so peaceful; the spirit there was undeniable,” Lyon said. “I love how Heavenly Father constantly answers our prayers in ways, and places, we don’t expect.”
Walking in the early pioneers’ footsteps strengthened many beliefs.
“Listening to the stories of the sacrifices the saints and Joseph Smith made for The Book of Mormon humbled me,” Sierra Staheli said. “They gave up their homes, families and lives for this book and for the gospel. It made me realize how much I take those things for granted.”
Luke Bennett added, “I believe [Joseph Smith] wouldn’t have put his life out on the line if none of it was true. That’s been a big testimony builder for me.”
Attendees also had the chance to earn the “Praise to the Man” award during the trip, which entailed readings, journaling and memorizations.
“The award gives the youth incentive to dive into their scriptures and do the things that would help enhance their spiritual experiences on this trip,” explained chaperone Becky Kelly.
Over half of the students qualified for the award.
Along with spiritual experiences, there were plenty of laughs and good times. These include a stop in Amish Country, a talent show during a long bus ride and visiting Niagara Falls in Canada.
“I feel like this year there has been a lot of joy and laughter, more so than other years,” Leavitt said. “It reminded me so much of Joseph Smith, how he approached life, that there was always a reason to laugh and have fun.”
For more information on future Leavitt Tours trips, visit www.facebook.com/LeavittTours/.
