We spent four incredible days at the Mission Presidents Seminar in Kirtland, Ohio from October 27-30.
We were hosted by a knowledgeable tour guide who lives near Kirtland, Brother Karl Anderson. His insight was enlightening and we felt we had walked back in time to when Joseph lived there.
The Kirtland period in Latter-day Saint history is from 1830 to 1838. This is the place where Joseph Smith Jr. lived longer than any other one spot. Many, many significant things happened in Kirtland and nearby areas. It was time of organizing, schooling, revelations, pentecostal experiences and an increase in church membership.
The Kirtland temple was more impressive than I imagined. Although the Community of Christ own the temple, they have done a wonderful job in maintaining it and with extra efforts of Saints in the area have developed a close relationship with several Latter-day Saint members including our guide Brother Anderson. They have mutual respect.
Brother Anderson made arrangements for us to hold a Sacrament Meeting in the temple. We were restricted in taking photos inside the building, but we sat in the very benches and looked upon the breastplate where the Savior appeared and accepted His temple. It was an incredible experience.
In D&C 137 we learn of the vision of God the Father and Christ at the Kirtland temple. Diaries of early Saints tell us of multiple pentecostal experiences. In 1836 we know Moses, Elias and Elijah appeared in the temple and restored keys. Angels appeared to many and heavenly singing was heard. People spoke in tongues and a bright light sown on the roof.
Yet with all the miraculous events, many fell away when times were hard. In fact, many turned against the Prophet and joined mobs that threatened the Prophet and Saints. Kirtland became a dangerous place and Joseph and the Church were forced to flee to Missouri.
Newel K. Whitney and his wife were faithful early Saints. He owned and operated a general store. When Brother Joseph arrived for the first time at his store, he greeting Brother Whitney by name. Brother Whitney said I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage since I'm not familiar with you. Brother Joseph replied, I'm Joseph Smith, the Prophet. You have prayed me here not what will you do with me.
The Whitney's took the Prophet and Emma under their wing in Ohio and let them live with them. If I recall my history, Emma was pregnant with twins at the time.
Here's a photo of Emma's favorite china. This photo was taken in the kitchen in the Whitney store/home.
The Whitney store was a bustling center of commerce. Brother Whitney was also called to be the second Bishop in the Ohio area. Edward Partridge was the first. The Whitney store also served as the first Bishops' Storehouse. I found that truly interesting since we worked with the Bishops' Storehouses in Utah on our second mission. The above picture is what it looks like when you first walk in. The bottom picture is the storehouse that's located in the back of the building.
A short climb up the stairs and we were seated in a meeting room or study area. Here is where Joseph worked on the translation of the Bible and other revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants. Almost half of the revelations found in the Doctrine and Covenants were received in Kirtland. We were told the desk in an original. Joseph would have sat at this very table.
The following picture is the room where the School of the Prophets was held. It was very small. To enter, the brethren had to go through a ritual similar to the temple ceremony. We were told most of the men but two were heavy smokers. They would light up their corn cob pipes and many times Joseph would be teaching in a cloud of smoke. After the Word of Wisdom revelation was given, all took their pipes and threw them into the fireplace.
The Saints were industrious and operated a lumber mill and ashery. The picture below is at the ashery. The saints would bring their ashes from their fireplaces and put them into the large bin in the back. They would cook the ash until it made potash, which they sold. Some potash was processed even more into a produce that fine china was made from.
The lumber mill saw was powered by a stream of water. Here is where they made the alters for the temple. We were told the Lord knew of a man in Canada who He needed to help them with the temple. Missionaries were sent to Canada just to convert him and bring him to Ohio. He constructed the sawmill and with his expertise, temple construction was sped up significantly.
The Whitney store, Whitney home, ashery, sawmill, school house and wonderful visitors' center are all located close by on the same parcel of land.
Many firsts happened in Kirtland: First headquarters of the Church, First Presidency formed, first Quorum of Twelve, first Quorum of the Seventy, first Patriarch called ( Joseph Smith Sr.), first Bishop called, first High Priests ordained, first Stake formed, first High Council organized, first Bishops' Storehouse, first Missionary Training Center, first Temple and ordinances.
I believe this is a picture of the Whitney Inn. Joseph and Emma stayed here also and had a bit more privacy. One piece of trivia--the home was painted yellow,which is a real luxury. Most homes were either white or red because that were the least expensive paints. The Whitney's were a bit more affluent and could afford yellow paint.
This is a picture of the nursery in the Whitney Inn. Notice the colorful. oil cloth rug. The silver thing in the cradle that looks like a rattle is actually a baby bottle.
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