Dr. Michael Wilcox received his PhD from the University of Colorado and taught for many years at the LDS Institute of Religion adjacent to the University of Utah. He has spoken to packed crowds at BYU Education Week and has hosted tours to the Holy Land and to Church history sites. He has served in a variety of callings, including as bishop and counselor in a stake presidency. He has written many articles and books, including House of Glory, Sunset, 10 Great Souls I Want to Meet in Heaven, and Finding Hope. He and his late wife, Laurie, are the…

Glenn Jay Rawson has been the writer and co-producer for the television documentary series entitled “History of the Saints”. He has also written and co-produced the television documentary series called “The Joseph Smith Papers”. These programs are broadcast on many TV and radio stations in the intermountain west, including KSL-TV, and worldwide on BYU-TV. He travels extensively interviewing scholars and researching the original documents that tell the story of the early history of the Latter-Day Saints. The “JSP” and “History of the Saints” seasons 1 and 2 are available on DVD at local bookstores. Many of these are also found…

David Butler's greatest love is people. He had adopted as a life motto: "Stuff no mattah, people mattah." His favorite people are his wife, Jenny, and their six darling children. Some of his other loves include good food, spontaneous adventures, Christmas morning, and the sea. David co-hosts the popular YouTube scripture study channel Don't Miss This with Emily Belle Freeman and is the author of many religious books, including Ites: An Illustrated Guide to the People in the Book of Mormon; The Peter Potential; and Almighty: How the Most Powerful Being in the Universe Is Also Your Loving Father.

For more than a decade, Matt Townsend has been energizing and involving audiences with his unique approach to building and maintaining successful relationships. Known as one of America’s top presenters in the field of Human Relations and Development, Matt blends humor and story telling with interactive, real-life solutions that inspire motivation and immediate results in his audiences. Having dedicated his life to the study of communication and interpersonal relationships, Matt has worked extensively in the areas of results-oriented communication, conflict resolution and time management training. As a lead presenter for industry leader, Franklin Covey, Matt worked with the Family &…

Diane Prince was born in California and raised in California and Utah. She has her degree in Education. She has taught, has been in sales achieving “the million-dollar club” status with her company. She began speaking as a corporate trainer and Motivational Speaker 35 years ago. She has spoken across America to thousands of business professionals on time and stress management, assertiveness skills, self-esteem, human relation skills, family relations, and a myriad of other topics. She has been in high demand as a speaker with her ability to educate and entertain her audiences. She has been a speaker at BYU…

Dr. Lund has led numerous tours to Israel, LDS Church History sites, and to the Lands of the Book of Mormon in Mesoamerica. He speaks fluent Spanish and served as a missionary in Mexico. He is the author of various articles in the New Era, the Ensign, The Encyclopedia of Mormonism, and most recently, in the LDS 2006 Church Almanac. Dr. Lund retired after teaching for thirty-six years in the CES Institute program. He is described as having a unique combination of gospel knowledge, deep spirituality, and has a delightful sense of humor.  

Dr. Richard Netizel Holzapfel completed undergraduate and graduate studies at Brigham Young University (Middle Eastern Studies), Hebrew Union College (Jewish Studies), and the University of California Irvine (Ancient History). He taught at BYU for several decades, including the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, before retiring in 2017. For more than thirty years, Richard hosted tours to the Holy Land (In the Footsteps of Jesus), Turkey, Greece, and Italy (In the Footsteps of Peter and Paul), and Latter-day Saint Church history sites (In the Footsteps of Joseph Smith). The author of more than fifty books and nearly two hundred…

Emily Belle Freeman has taught for many years in the Church Education System.  She has also been a speaker for many other BYU Programs and Conferences as well as addressing groups in Canada, Israel, New Zealand, and Australia.  She is a frequent speaker at TOFW and the Love Your Life Retreat, a contributor to The Small Seed, and a bestselling author at Deseret Book.  She has authored many books including Even This: Getting to the Place Where You Can Trust God With Anything, 21 Days Closer to Christ, and Becoming His.  In recent years she has had the opportunity to direct tours to Mexico…

Brother Christensen was born in Richfield Utah. He became an Eagle Scout. He served a mission in the Alaskan-Canadian mission. He served in the Utah Nation Guard as an Officer in the Artillery Married Rozann Beck from Gunnison, Utah. They have six children and 16 grandchildren. He graduated from Snow College, Weber State College and received his masters and Ph.D. in Marriage and family therapy from Brigham Young University. He was a therapist at Provo Canyon’s Boys School and has treated many adolescents for ADD, ADHD, incorrigible, rebellious, depressed, anxiety and family problems. He has had a private practice in…

Jeff and his wife Marie have guided many tours throughout the world with Fun For Less Tours.  As a former teacher and avid traveler, Jeff will give historical insight throughout your tour.  Jeff and Marie will ensure an educational experience as well as an organized and fun trip!

Dr. John M. Madsen is a former associate professor of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University. He has participated in 9 tours to the Holy Land before being called as a General Authority. Dr. Madsen has led many tours to Israel since being granted Emeritus status. We don’t just send a name, with no experience, we send the best in Educators and those with the most experience! Dr. Madsen is an emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He has been a general authority of the LDS…

David K. Douglas is a fun, adventurous, family-man who loves to travel and make history come to life. His full time employment has been for the Church Education System for the last 22 years, in Seminaries and Institutes. Dave’s bachelors degree is in Psychology & his masters degree in Recreation Management and Youth Leadership both from BYU. He has a PhD in Parks Recreation and Tourism from the University of Utah. As part of his research into living history, he performed at ‘This is the Place Heritage Park’ playing Orrin Porter Rockwell the infamous lawman and bodyguard. His own children…

"MAGNIFICENT!" is only one of the superlatives used by audience members and critics alike, to describe this "not to be missed" Branson sensation, GEORGE DYER. Bringing his world-class, award-winning tenor voice and showmanship to the Branson stage, George wows his audiences with an array of hits from Broadway (Phantom of the Opera), Power Ballads (Time To Say Goodbye, Hallelujah), Opera (Nessun Dorma), Love Songs, Gospel, Disney (Moana, Beauty & the Beast) and classic standards, latest hits, as well as contemporary favorites (Greatest Showman). Spotlighting his gifted wife and son throughout, George takes you on a mesmerizing musical journey that is…

John and Linda Peterson are from Kaysville, Utah.  They have five children and eleven grandchildren.  Linda teaches First Grade in Farmington.  John has recently retired from a 38-year career as an Instructor for the Church Education System of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Twenty-seven of those years he was an Instructor at the Institute of Religion adjacent to the University of Utah where he often taught LDS History and Christian History.  He has also worked as an archivist and acquisitions specialist for the Church History Department in Salt Lake City, and currently works as a writer-researcher with…

Tammy is an author as well as host of the Deseret Bookshelf plus/LDS Living podcast: Sunday on Monday. She received both her bachelor's and master's Degrees from BYU. She’s a former seminary and institute teacher and has been a speaker at Education Week, BYU Women’s Conference, and her favorite: girl's camps. She and her husband, Jim, are the parents of four fabulous daughters, and they reside in Utah.   Tammy loves all things scripture and is a lifelong student of the Hebrew language. A good flash mob makes her cry, and she believes that cheese is God’s way of saying,…

As a native of Johannesburg, South Africa, Diederik is a professional safari guide with over 20 years experience of leading tours and safaris in Southern Africa. He has taken clients on everything from walking safaris to coach tours to camping safaris. He is a qualified National Guide in South Africa and has qualified as a guide for Swaziland. In addition, Diederik is registered as a Level 3 Safari Guide with the Field Guide Association of South Africa. Born in Johannesburg Went to school in Johannesburg and Pretoria Did 2 years of military service in the Infantry Studied at The University…

Ben Wilcox has been a religious educator in the church Seminaries and Institutes program and popular EFY speaker for the last 20 years. He has a deep and abiding love for the scriptures, church history, and the teachings of the living prophets. More recently he has shared his knowledge and enthusiasm for the scriptures with thousands through his YouTube channel “Teaching with Power”. He received his bachelor’s degree in English literature from Brigham Young University, and a master’s degree also in English literature from Northern Arizona University.  He and his wife Allesha currently live in Riverton, Utah with their four…

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, Kerry began performing as a magician and musician at an early age. After graduating from high school, and while serving a mission for his church in Australia, he added ventriloquism to his magical and musical performing skills. After college, he married, and with his wife, Carla, joined a USO tour, performing his variety act all over the world. Featuring a dummy who did celebrity impressions that included Elvis, an agent remarked on how much Kerry's voice sounded like Elvis' and suggested he do an Elvis act. Kerry shaved his beard and dyed…

David A Christensen is a popular motivational speaker throughout the United States. David received his bachelor's degree in Speech and Dramatic Arts at Brigham Young University. He received his master’s degree and his Doctorate of Education at the same university. He has been a successful instructor and professor for both high schools and universities recently serving as a program director at the University of Utah for 20 years. He is currently a faculty member of the Brigham Young University Continuing Education Department. He spent the first part of his career establishing educational systems throughout Brazil. He has traveled extensively as…

Glenn J. Kimber was born and raised in northern Utah. After graduating from High School he attended Weber State College. In 1965 he married Julianne Skousen and shortly thereafter he joined the Air Force where he served for 4 years, including one tour of duty to Vietnam. Upon returning from Vietnam, Dr. Kimber continued his university studies graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree from Brigham Young University. He then joined with W. Cleon Skousen in establishing an educational foundation called the Freemen Institute, which was organized for the purpose of teaching American History and Constitutional studies. During the next number of…

Frank Okoren has been an educator for the past 32 years. He also has been a guest speaker and lecturer at EFY and numerous church and community functions in Colorado. His other passion is music, he is a professional jazz musician with recordings playing throughout the US and Canada.  Along with his wife Nanette, they have five children and five grandchildren, which they have instilled a love of learning and music. They even had a family band while raising their children. Frank and Nanette add a lot of fun to enhance our tours.

Studied at Beijing Institute of Tourism. Former Tour Manager at Uniworld. Cruise Manager, Program Director & Tour Escort, at Viking.