Kirtland Temple, Ohio

Positioned on a bluff overlooking the Chagrin Valley of northeastern Ohio, the Kirtland Temple continues to be a peaceful, beautiful, building drawing visitors interested in history and religion. In the 1830s, nearly 2,000 followers of Joseph Smith, Jr. lived in the Kirkland area. They were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints, commonly known as Mormons. Although, many of them lived in poverty, the members banded together to build the temple from 1833-1836 at a cost of $40,000. Today, The Kirtland Temple is a National Historic Landmark owned and operated by the Community of Christ, formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The temple is open for tours. An entrance fee is charged and no photos are allowed in the Visitors Center or Temple. Outside photos are OK. A small gift shop sells old fashioned candy, books, T-shirts, etc. A 20 minute film explains the building of the temple and the significance of its various features. The temple was built for worship services, instruction in church doctrine and for academic studies for both children and adults. Joseph Smith’s office was on the third floor.

The Mormons relocated to Far West, Missouri in 1838 and then later to Nauvoo, IL. After Joseph Smith was murdered in 1844, the church split into different factions. Most of the members went west to Salt Lake City under the leadership of Brigham Young forming the main body of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Many of the other members banded together as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with Joseph Smith III eventually becoming their leader. In 2001, they became known as the Community of Christ. For information: www.kirtlandtemple.org

Historic Kirtland and surrounding sites are maintained by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT. There is no charge for guided tours which includes the Newel K. Whitney Store and home, a sawmill, the ashery (where potash was made) temple sandstone quarry, Isaac Morley Farm and John Johnson Farm Home. All of these sites were important locations in early church history.

Historic Kirtland is interesting from a historical as well as religious outlook. The buildings are restored to the 1830s style. The Newel K. Whitney Store is stocked as a general store. The ashery that produced potash to raise funds for the Church is believed to be the only ashery of its kind left in the United States. For information: www.visithistorickirtland.com