Mark Wright, Ph.D. Candidate, West Jordan, Utah
Wright, an expert scholar on the Maya, is Liahona’s newest lead director for Book of Mormon tours. Mark received his BA in Anthropology at UCLA (graduating Cum Laude) and his MA at UC Riverside where his subfield of specialization was Mesoamerican archaeology. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at UC Riverside in Maya archaeology, completing a thesis on the concept of Maya royalty becoming gods. Wright currently teaches part-time in the Department of Ancient Scripture at BYU. He taught early morning seminary for seven years in Southern California as well as Institute classes at UC Riverside and Long Beach City College. Wright was an associate professor of Anthropology at Mt. San Jacinto College and taught for two years as a Teaching Assistant in the Religious Studies Department at UC Riverside (Intro to the Bible, Religious Myth and Ritual). He has been named a Nibley Fellow for the past four years by FARMS. Mark and his wife Traci currently reside in West Jordan, Utah. Wright is a tremendous director of the absolute highest caliber. A tour with Mark will be difficult to match.

Anthony Rivera Jr., MA, Perris, California
Rivera is Liahona’s premier expert on the Holy Lands. He received a Bachelors Degree from Brigham Young University in Near Eastern Studies and then pursued a Masters degree from Harvard in Ancient Cultures and Religions with a concentration on the Hebrew Scriptures. Rivera completed coursework for a Ph.D. at UCLA on Middle Eastern cultures. He is a recipient of the Hugh Nibley Fellowship for Ancient Studies from the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS) and has worked for FARMS on the Dead Sea Scrolls and other scriptural projects. He has published his biblical research and worked on books on ancient scriptures published by Deseret Book. He has been an Institute of Religion Instructor at Boston University, M.I.T., University of Massachusetts, UCLA, Saddleback College, and Long Beach City College. Anthony served a mission in Hamburg, Germany. He and his wife, Jill, have three daughters and reside in southern California. Anthony is also Chairman of a southern California Native American Tribe. Having learned Hebrew from the world’s top Rabbis, Anthony brings the bible to life with ancient Hebrew translations that often line up with Joseph Smith doctrines. The Holy Land with Rivera is like seeing a big-budget Hollywood blockbuster, with all the costumes and scenery provided, accompanied by explanations given by a true, world-class scholar.

Kim Goldsmith, Ph.D., Teotihuacan, Mexico
Add this one: “Dr. Kim C. Goldsmith received her PhD from the University of California at Riverside in 2000. She has been an archaeologist in Teotihuacan for 25 years, and is the clay figurine specialist for the site.  She has also worked at several other sites throughout Mexico and California.  Besides her archaeological duties, Kim has given tours for the Mexico government to world-famous visitors, including uncountable world diplomats, religious leaders and celebrities. Some of the visitors have included Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, John Ashcroft, the Panchen Lama of Tibet, and our own Elder Uchtdorf of the twelve. Dr. Goldsmith has been featured in numerous documentaries, such as The History Channel’s “Digging for the Truth”, the BBC’s “The Story of God”, The National Geographic Channel’s “Is It Real?”, and other films (including LDS). Kim is a convert to the LDS church and in 2007 was sealed in the Mexico City LDS temple to her husband Alejandro Serabia, the Director of the Teotihuacan Archaeological zone. Kim is a phenomenal, world-class scholar who brings Mesoamerica to life in a way that few can and she takes excellent care of all who tour with her.

Shelby H. Saberon, Ogden, Utah
As a BYU-trained archaeologist, Shelby has worked on numerous archaeological projects in Utah, Mexico and Guatemala, including a study of obsidian knife blades from Teotihuacan and the mapping of ruins in the Guatemala jungle at the Maya ruins of Piedras Negras on the Usumacinta River. More recently, he began research on the pottery manufactured between 600 B.C. – 100 A.D. in the Maya lowlands. Saberon completed a BA in Anthropology at BYU in 1996. Due to his contact with many of the leading archaeologists, he is often privy to discoveries years before they are published for the public. He and his wife Catherine have three active sons. Saberon is the creator and founder of Liahona Guided Tours and is President of the company. On Tour, he conducts his lectures on location and will provide you with cutting-edge archaeology correlated to peoples of the Book of Mormon. As a seasoned lecturer on the archaeology of South America, Saberon also brings the civilizations of Peru to life on our Machu Picchu tour.

Allen Christenson, Ph.D., Orem, Utah
Dr. Christenson received a Ph.D. in American, Native American, and Mesoamerican Culture from the University of Texas. As a missionary in Guatemala, he worked exclusively with the Maya Indians, where, upon learning their Quiche language, culture, and customs, he was made a Shaman. He recently completed translating the Sacred Book of the Maya (the Popol Vuh) into English. Dr. Christenson is not only the top LDS Mayanist, but one of the leading Mayan scholars in the world. What’s more is that he is a phenomenal lecturer. As your tour sites and museums, bring a note-pad. You will be gripped by his lectures and tremendous depth of knowledge. We are truly privileged to have Dr. Christenson as the director of this tour, and consider this tour to be a cut above the rest. Don’t miss this opportunity, it may not come again.

European Bio
Dr. Christenson received a Ph.D from the University of Texas at Austin with a dual focus on European and Mesoamerican art history and culture. He has taught extensively on Greek, Roman, and Middle Eastern cultures. A world-class lecturer, Dr. Christenson brings Greek civilizations to life in a fascinating way that people of all interest levels can enjoy. This year, he is Co-Director of the BYU Study Abroad in Europe program, based in London. Upon finishing, he joins us for a trip of a lifetime to Greece. Whether you are a serious scholar or newly introduced, Dr. Christenson will open your eyes to the ancient wonders of Greece. As you tour sites and museums, bring a note-pad. You will be gripped by his lectures and tremendous depth of knowledge. We are truly privileged to have Dr. Christenson as the director of this tour. With him, your Greece experience will be unparalleled by any other Greece experience. Don?t miss this opportunity, it may not come again.

Chris Allison, Rexburg, Idaho
Chris Allison has been a religious educator his entire professional career. He is currently an instructor at BYU-Idaho, and previously taught institute, trained seminary teachers and helped develop videos for the seminary program. Allison has directed numerous tours to Central America and Alaska. He recently retired from the military where he served in the Special Forces and was a paratrooper. Chris states that “I love to travel and introduce others to the cultures and artifacts of current and past civilizations! The results of such travels are profound and leave indelible impressions on the soul.” He is married to Rochelle and has three daughters and directs Book of Mormon tours, as well as a tour to Peru and Ecuador, where he served an LDS mission.

Dr. Bernell Christensen, Draper, Utah
Dr. Christensen has been a religion educator & director for more than 12 years and currently runs a marriage & family therapy practice. He has tremendous insights & has directed numerous tours to Israel, Egypt, Mexico & Central America. This year Bernell conducts a Book of Mormon cruise with seminars at sea. Dr. Christensen has been a religious educator and director in several states, including Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. For more than 12 years he conducted numerous tours with BYU Travel Study in Israel and Egypt, making him a seasoned director of tour groups. He has published several tapes and speaks regularly to religious groups. Dr. Christensen currently runs a marriage and family therapy practice

Dr. Robert J. Norman
Dr. Norman has been a religious educator since 1967 and has lectured on the Know Your Religion circuit for over 20 years. He is a seasoned tour director, having led numerous groups to Church History locations, Egypt, Israel, and Mesoamerica (Book of Mormon candidate lands). Dr. Norman is a true scholar with an extensive background in the scriptures. His lecturing talent and love of the scriptures will bring them to life for you in new ways. He and his wife have served as temple workers in the Jordan River Temple, and together they have six children and 22 grandchildren.

Greg Palmer, Rexburg, Idaho
Palmer is a graduate of Ricks College, Brigham Young University, and the Thunderbird School of Global Management. He has been a religion educator for over 25 years.  Greg is a member of the full-time Religion Faculty at BYUI since 2000 and was recognized with the BYU-Idaho Distinguished Faculty Award in 2007.  Greg’s teaching of courses in ancient scripture lends to his passion for bringing the Book of Mormon to life–and into people’s hearts. He has conducted & traveled on over 35 trips to Mexico & Central America. This vast travel experience, coupled with many years of teaching the scriptures, makes Palmer a cutting-edge director.

Scott Pearce, Kaysville, Utah
Scott has been a religious instructor for 21 years. He loves adventure and travel and has explored Asia, latter-Day church history sites, Mexico, and Central America. Scott is an energetic and enthusiastic tour guide and will take you on the adventure of a lifetime. As an exceptional teacher of the scriptures, he will make the stories and doctrines of the Standard Works come alive as you visit breathtaking and exotic sites. He has directed our student tours for the past three years. Pearce’s fun-loving style & gregarious personality makes him a favorite director, with many returning tour guests.

Alan Thacker, Ogden, Utah
With a Masters Degree in American Indian Studies (University of Arizona), Thacker is an expert on the ancient Americas. He has also been a religion instructor & director for over 20 years in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. He has extensive experience in exploring the prime candidate lands of the Book of Mormon including numerous visits to Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. Brother Thacker’s greatest love in teaching has been bringing the Book of Mormon to life for his students. He has done this with great effectiveness in any setting, but especially enjoys “feasting” upon this sacred scripture on location! He is married to the former Wendy Biesinger who co-hosts the tour and makes her own marvelous contributions with her avid thirst for knowledge and her contagious enthusiasm! They have three children and two grandchildren.Combined, Alan is a broad-based director that delivers the richest experience to Mexico, Central America & the Holy Lands.

Patricia Thomas, Salt Lake City, Utah
Pat teaches Institute at the Salt Lake Community College and at the University of Utah as well as adult CES courses in Park City and Salt Lake. She has spoken at BYU's Women's Conference and is regularly asked to speak to the youth and young adults of the Church. She is a returned missionary from Guatemala having served exclusively in the highlands (1983-84). She has a deep and profound love for the people of Meso-America. Pat has a particular love for symbols and patterns in the scriptures and in our lives. Pat returns to the lands of her missionary service on a 10-day Book of Mormon Tour. Pat is the mother of four children, two in college and two still home.