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Newel K. Whitney Store Kirtland, Ohio, United States of America Newel K. Whitney Store Kirtland, Ohio, United States of America The Newel K. Whitney Store served as the home of Joseph and Emma Smith between Sep- tember 1832 and February 1834. Joseph Smith III was born here on November 6, 1832. The store served as the headquarters of The Church of Je- sus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the time that the Smith family lived here. Many significant events occurred here in- cluding the organization of the School of the Prophets, the First Presidency receiving the keys of the kingdom, and receiving of the Word of Wisdom, Doctrine and Covenants Section 89. During one of the meetings of the School The Newel K. Whitney Store of the Prophets, God the Father and Jesus Christ Photo courtesy of Alexander L. Baugh appeared to members of the school. Zebedee Col- trin, a member of the school related the following experience: the Historic Preservation Award for restoring the Newel K. Whitney Store in 1984.3 “I saw a person passing through the room as plainly as I see you now. Joseph asked us if SOURCES we knew who it was and answered himself, 1 ‘That is Jesus our Elder Brother, the Son of Larry C. Porter and Susan Easton Black, eds., The Prophet Joseph: God!’ After the vision closed, Joseph then told Essays on the Life and Mission of Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City: those present to resume their former position of Deseret Book Co., 1988), 110 - 111. 2 prayer. Again I saw passing through the same Karl Ricks Anderson, Joseph Smith’s Kirtland (Salt Lake City: room, a personage whose glory and brightness Deseret Book Co., 1989), 249. was so great, that I can liken it to nothing 3 “Whitney Store Given Prestigious Award,” LDS Church News, but the burning bush that Moses saw, and its (November 19, 1988). power was so great that had it continued much longer I believe it would have consumed us. After this personage had disappeared from the room, Joseph announced that the men had seen Appearance of God the Father the father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Zebedee Coltrin concluded his testimony by saying, ‘I and Jesus Christ saw him.’” 1 1 In the late 1970s, The Church of Jesus Zebedee Coltrin Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased the store “I saw a person passing through the room from Wilford C. Wood and restored it. The store as plainly as I see you now. Joseph asked us if we was dedicated by President Ezra Taft Benson on knew who it was and answered himself, ‘That is August 25, 1984.2 On November 18, 1988, Presi- Jesus our Elder Brother, the Son of God!’ After dent Ronald Reagan presented the Church with the vision closed, Joseph then told those present 2 Newel K. Whitney Store, Kirtland, Ohio, United States of America to resume their former position of prayer. ‘Again The Word of Wisdom I saw passing through the same room, a person- age whose glory and brightness was so great, that I can liken it to nothing but the burning bush that “When the school of the prophets was Moses saw, and its power was so great that had inaugurated one of the first revelations given by it continued much longer I believe it would have the Lord to His servant Joseph was the Word of consumed us.’ After this personage had disap- Wisdom. The members of that school were but a peared from the room, Joseph announced that the few at first, and the prophet commenced to teach men had seen the father of the Lord Jesus Christ. them in doctrine to prepare them to go out into Zebedee Coltrin concluded his testimony by say- the world to preach the gospel unto all people, ing, ‘I saw him.’” and gather the elect from the four quarters of the earth, as the prophets anciently have spoken. 2 John Murdock While this instruction prepared the Elders “In one of these meetings the prophet told to administer in word and doctrine, it did not sup- us if we could humble ourselves before God, and ply the teachings necessary to govern their pri- exercise strong faith, we should see the face of the vate or temporal lives; it did not say whether they Lord. And about midday the visions of my mind should be merchants, farmers, mechanics, or mon- were opened, and the eyes of my understanding ey changers. The prophet began to instruct them were enlightened, and I saw the form of a man, how to live that they might be the better prepared most lovely, the visage of his face was sound and to perform the great work they were called to ac- fair as the sun. His hair a bright silver grey, curled complish. I think I am as well acquainted with the in most majestic form, His eyes a keen penetrat- circumstances which led to the giving of the Word ing blue, and the skin of his neck a most beautiful of Wisdom as any man in the Church, although I white and he was covered from the neck to the was not present at the time to witness them. feet with a loose garment, pure white, whiter than The first school of the prophets was held any garment I have ever before seen. His counte- in a small room situated over the Prophet Joseph’s nance was most penetrating, and yet most lovely. kitchen, in a house which belonged to Bishop And while I was endeavoring to comprehend the Whitney, and which was attached to his store, which whole personage from head to feet it slipped from store probably might be about fifteen feet square. me, and the vision was closed up. But it left on my In the rear of this building was a kitchen, prob- mind the impression of love, for months, that I ably ten by fourteen feet, containing rooms and never felt before to that degree.” pantries. Over this kitchen was situated the room in which the Prophet received revelations and in which he instructed his brethren. The brethren SOURCES came to that place for hundreds of miles to at- 1 tend school in a little room probably no larger than Larry C. Porter and Susan Easton Black, eds., The Prophet Joseph: Essays on the Life and Mission of Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City: eleven by fourteen. Deseret Book Co., 1988), 110 - 111. When they assembled together in this room 2 after breakfast, the first they did was to light their “House of Revelation,” Ensign, (January 1993), 31. pipes, and, while smoking, talk about the great things of the kingdom and spit all over the room, and as soon as the pipe was out of their mouths a large chew of tobacco would then be taken. Of- ten when the Prophet entered the room to give Newel K. Whitney Store, Kirtland, Ohio, United States of America 3 the school instructions he would find himself in a D. Michael Quinn, “The Newel K. Whitney Fam- cloud of tobacco smoke. ily,” Ensign, (December 1978), 42. This, and the complaints of his wife at having to clean so filthy a floor, made the Proph- et think upon the matter, and he inquired of the Lord relating to the conduct of the Elders in using tobacco, and the revelation known as the Word of Wisdom was the result of his inquiry. You know what it is, and can read it at your leisure.” SOURCES 1 Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. (London: Latter-day Saints’ Book Depot, 1854-1886), 12:157-158. Visitor Information Address: 7800 Chillicothe Road Kirtland, Ohio 44094 Hours of Operation: Monday through Saturday • 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Sunday • 11:30 AM to 7:00 PM Note: During the winter, closes at 5:00 PM Admission: • Free Further Reading Resources “Whitney Store Wins Major U.S. Preservation Award,” Ensign, (January 1989), 76. Keith W. Perkins, “Whitney Store,” Encyclopedia of Mormonism, ed. Daniel H. Ludlow et al., 1992..
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