Our unforgettable tour of the Holy Land began after arriving in Tel Aviv, where we stayed
at our hotel overlooking the beautiful coast of the Mediterranean Sea. As the sun set,
and with jet lag setting in, we all tried to get a restful sleep.
The next day, our first official day of the tour, we drove to Jaffa, where we learned
from Brother Don Parry about the events that took place in this historic city. We learned
of the story of Jonah attempting to flee from the Lord. We also learned of when Peter saw
in vision a sheet filled with all manner of unclean animals and was then commanded to
eat of them. A message teaching him that the gospel could now be preached to all the world.
From Jaffa, we traveled up the coast to Caesarea, the Roman capital of Palestine during the
New Testament. While visiting the ancient amphitheater and hippodrome, we read of Paul
boldly testifying before King Agrippa while he was imprisoned here. Nearby we visited
the incredible aqueduct that brought water to the city of Caesarea.
Next we traveled to Mount Carmel, where Elijah called down fire from heaven in his contest
against the priests of Baal. To conclude our day, we stayed in the ancient Roman city of
Tiberias, overlooking the Sea of Galilee.
The next day, Friday, we drove up the winding road to Mt. Tabor, the traditional site of
where Moses and Elijah appeared to the Savior, Peter, James and John. The site is marked
today by a beautiful church with three inner chapels built for the Savior, Moses, and Elijah.
While sitting on this sacred mount, we heard several powerful testimonies from a bishop
and a stake president on priesthood authority.
Next we came to Megiddo where we learned of the great battle which will take place here
in the valley just prior to the Second Coming of the Savior. We also toured the ancient
city of Megiddo, passing the huge city gates built by Solomon, and hiking through the ruins
of the city. Here we saw several examples of ancient stone mangers, similar to what
the Savior was laid in at his birth. We also saw an ancient grain silo and walked through
the city water system which was designed to bring spring waters from outside the fortified
walls to the inner protection of the city.
After lunch we arrived in Nazareth, the city where Jesus lived most of his life, and visited
the Basilica of the Annunciation, the traditional site where Mary was told by the angel Gabriel
that she would be the mother of the Savior. We also visited an old synagogue church and
read the famous words that Jesus read while at a synagogue here in Nazareth, which began
his ministry. As we walked through Nazareth, it was interesting to note how the streets
were empty and bare, because most of the residents being Muslim, close their shops to worship
on this their holy day of Friday.
On Saturday we had the unique experience of celebrating the Sabbath on Saturday, as the
Savior would have done during his mortal life. The LDS church, out of respect for the local
customs of the Jews, honors the Sabbath on Saturday instead of on Sunday. At the hotel,
several of us took the opportunity to ride the Shabbat elevator, which stops at every
floor, so as to allow observant Jews not to have to work on the Sabbath by having to push
the elevator button.
To start off our day on Saturday, we took a boat ride on the breathtaking Sea of Galilee
where we read of the stories of the calling of the apostle fishermen, the calming of the
sea, and Jesus walking on the water. We then cleared the seats, and took to the dance floor
of the boat, dancing the Hava Nagila.
We next had the incredible experience of attending sacrament meeting with the Galilee branch.
It is difficult to describe the spirit that many of us felt as we heard the sacrament
prayers in Hebrew, while overlooking the Sea of Galilee. A member of the branch presidency
remarked that had this branch been around 2000 years ago, this would be the branch the
Savior would have attended.
After church, we all enjoyed a Peter's fish lunch, with the head, tail and all! This is
said to be the type of fish that Peter caught that carried a coin in its mouth. After lunch
we visited the stunning park of Tel Dan with its blue water, lush greenery, and beautiful
flowers. Here we also hiked through the ancient city gates of Dan, dating to the time of Solomon,
and the Israelite pagan temple, established here by the early Northern tribes as they
attempted to compete with the temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. The footprint of the altar,
marked by a metal pole structure, was huge in size, again with the purpose of competing
in grandeur to the Jerusalem altar. Only a short distance from Dan is Caesarea Philippi,
the location where Peter professed the famous words, "Thou art the Christ, the son of the
living God."
On Sunday morning, as the sun was rising, a few of the tour group took the chance to
swim where Jesus walked, or in other words, we swam in the Sea of Galilee.
The tour day began at Mt. Beatitudes, the traditional site of the giving of the Sermon
on the Mount. The hill overlooks the Sea of Galilee and is beautifully landscaped and
marked with an eight-sided church, representing the eight beatitudes given by the Savior.
We next came to the remains of the fishing village of Capernaum, where Jesus likely lived
during much of his mortal ministry. Here he performed numerous healings, called several
of the apostles to come follow him, and taught the bread of life sermon. The synagogue, where
Jesus taught the bread of life sermon, is found under the current remains of a later
fourth century synagogue. The earlier synagogue was built from the local black basalt rock,
and because the building did not perfectly face Jerusalem, the later white stone structure,
was shifted slightly to be more accurate. A very likely site for Peter's home, is marked
by a floating-like church, which is placed over a first century home underneath. The
church floor is made of glass, so as to create a view of the likely ancient home of the chief
apostle.
Upon leaving Capernaum, we drove down towards Jerusalem along the banks of the Jordan river.
On the way we stopped at the stunning Roman city of Beit Shean, where we climbed the ancient
tel, and admired the beautiful mosaic floors, bath houses, and column-lined streets. We
also took the chance to experience an ancient public latrine. Needless to say, we were all
grateful to not have to actually use it!
Towards the southern end of the Jordan river, near the Dead Sea, we stopped at Bethabara,
the traditional site of the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist. Several pilgrims
dressed in all white, came to these sacred waters to commit to God to follow him. Though
different from our own baptisms, the devotion, and longing to follow the Savior, could be
seen and felt.
Our last stop for the day was to take a short hike through the Judean desert. Here Christ
fasted for forty days before beginning his ministry, and here was the setting for the
story of the parable of the Good Samaritan. As we left the dry and barren desert, we drove
into the beautiful city of Jerusalem. The excitement could be felt as the Dome of the
Rock came into view, and as we looked from our hotel balconies over this, the most important
city in the world. Our Galilee journey had ended, but our trip was far from over.