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Home , Kirtland Safety Society, Kirtland Temple

Kirtland Kirtland, , United States of America

The was the first temple erected in this dispensation and the revelation to build it was given in the spring of 1833. It was constructed through great sacrifice to the Saints. Eliza R. Snow described their arduous efforts as follows:

“With very little capital except brain, bone and sinew, combined with unwavering trust in God, men, women, and even children, worked with their might; while the brethren labored in their departments, the sisters were actively engaged in boarding and clothing workmen not otherwise provided for—all living as abstemiously as pos- sible so that every cent might be appropriated The Kirtland Temple to the grand object, while their energies were Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress stimulated by the prospect of participating in Prints & Photographs Division the blessing of a house built by the direction of the Most High and accepted by him.” 1 including the singing of W. W. Phelps’ hymn, “The Spirit of God,” the performance of the Hosanna The First Presidency of the Church, Jo- Shout, and pentecostal manifestations, and angelic seph Smith, Jr., Fredrick G. Williams, and Sidney visitations. Rigdon, saw the finished temple in vision to help One week after the dedication, the Lord Je- direct plans for this sacred edifice. Fredrick G. Wil- sus Christ appeared to , Jr. and Oliver liams described the experience as follows: Cowdery “standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit,” and accepted the Kirtland Temple.3 After “Joseph received the word of the Lord for him the appearance of the Savior, other heavenly be- to take his two counselors, [Frederick G.] Wil- ings appeared to Joseph & Oliver including Mo- liams and [Sidney] Rigdon, and come before ses, Elias, and , each committing the keys of 4 the Lord and He would show them the plan or their respective dispensation unto them. model of the house to be built. We went upon Two years later, with the collapse of the our knees, called on the Lord, and the build- , Joseph was forced to leave ing appeared within viewing distance. I being Kirtland, and eventually control of the temple was the first to discover it. Then all of us viewed it lost. The Reorganized Church of Christ of together. After we had taken a good look at the Latter-day Saints, now known as the Community exterior, the building seemed to come right over of Christ, obtained ownership of the Temple in us, and the makeup of this hall seemed to coin- 1880, restored it, and currently provides tours of cide with what I there saw to a minutia.” 2 this magnificent building.

The construction of the temple began on SOURCES June 5, 1833, and was dedicated on March 27,1836. 1 Edward W. Tullidge, The Women of Mormondom (New York: Tul- Many significant events occurred at the dedication 2 Kirtland Temple, Kirtland, Ohio, United States of America

lidge & Crandall, 1877), 82. an appeared and sat near President Joseph 2 Smith, Sen., and Frederick G. Williams, so that Truman Angell, Autobiography, Our Pioneer Heritage, Writings of Early Latter-day Saints, 198. they had a fair view of his person. He was a very tall personage, black eyes, white hair, and stoop 3 Doctrine & Covenants 110:2-6. shouldered; his garment was whole, extending to 4 See Doctrine & Covenants 110. near his ankles; on his feet he had sandals. He was sent as a messenger to accept of the dedication... While these things were being attended to the be- loved disciple John was seen in our midst by the Events at the Dedication of the Prophet Joseph, and others.”3 Kirtland Temple George A. Smith “There were great manifestations of power, Joseph Smith, Jr. such as , seeing visions, admin- “Brother George A. Smith arose and began istration of . Many individuals bore testimo- to prophesy, when a noise was heard like the sound ny that they saw angels, and bore of a rushing mighty wind, which filled the Temple, testimony that he saw three angels passing up the and all the congregation simultaneously arose, be- south aisle, and there came a shock on the house ing moved upon by an invisible power; many be- like the sound of a mighty rushing wind, and al- gan to speak in tongues and prophesy; others saw most every man in the house arose, and hundreds of them were speaking in tongues, prophecying or glorious visions; and I beheld the Temple was filled 4 with angels, which fact I declared to the congrega- declaring visions, almost with one voice.” tion. The people of the neighborhood came run- ning together (hearing an unusual sound within, Eliza R. Snow and seeing a bright light like a pillar of fire resting “One striking feature of the ceremonies, upon the Temple), and were astonished at what was the grand shout of hosanna, which was given was taking place.”1 by the whole assembly, in standing position, with uplifted hands. The form of the shout is as follows: Oliver Cowdery ‘Hosanna—hosanna—hosanna—to God and the “Sunday, the 27th attended on the dedica- Lamb—amen—amen, and amen.’ The foregoing tion of the Lord’s house. For the particulars of was deliberately and emphatically pronounced, this great event see my account written by myself, and three times repeated, and with such power as and printed in the March No. of The Messenger seemed almost sufficient to raise the roof from the and Advocate, signed C. In the evening I met with building. the officers of the church in the Lord’s house. The A singular incident in connection with this Spirit was poured out--I saw the glory of God, like shout may be discredited by some, but it is verily a great cloud, come down and rest upon the house, true. A notice had been circulated that children in and fill the same like a mighty rushing wind. I also arms would not be admitted at the dedication of saw cloven tongues, like as of fire rest upon many, the temple. A sister who had come a long distance (for there were 316 present,) while they spake with with her babe, six weeks old, having, on her arrival, other tongues and prophesied.”2 heard of the above requisition, went to the patri- Heber C. Kimball arch Joseph Smith, Sr., in great distress, saying that “During the ceremonies of the dedication, she knew no one with whom she could leave her infant; and to be deprived of the privilege of at- Kirtland Temple, Kirtland, Ohio, United States of America 3 tending the dedication seemed more than she could SOURCES endure. The ever generous and kind-hearted father 1 volunteered to take the responsibility on himself, Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day and told her to take her child, at the same time Saints, 7 vols., introduction and notes by B. H. Roberts (: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, giving the mother a promise that her babe should 1932-1951), 2: 428. make no disturbance; and the promise was veri- 2 fied. But when the congregation shouted hosanna, Leonard J. Arrington, “Oliver Cowdery’s Kirtland Ohio ‘Sketch Book,’” BYU Studies, (Summer 1972). that babe joined in the shout. As marvelous as that 3 incident may appear to many, it is not more so than Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. (London: Latter-day Saints’ Book other occurrences on that occasion Depot, 1854-1886), 9: 376.

The ceremonies of that dedication may be 4 Ibid, 11: 10. rehearsed, but no mortal language can describe the 5 heavenly manifestations of that memorable day. Edward W. Tullidge, The Women of Mormondom (New York: Tul- Angels appeared to some, while a sense of divine lidge & Crandall, 1877), 95. 6 presence was realized by all present, and each heart Benjamin Brown, “Testimony for the Truth,” Gems for the Young was filled with ‘joy inexpressible and full of glo- Folks (Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1881), 65. 5 ry.’” 7 Truman Angell, Autobiography, Our Pioneer Heritage, Writings of Early Latter-day Saints, 198. Benjamin Brown “There the Spirit of the Lord, as on the day of Pentecost, was profusely poured out. Hundreds of Elders spoke in tongues…we had a most glori- Eliza R. Snow’s Description of ous and never-to-be-forgotten time. Angels were the Kirtland Temple1 seen by numbers present… It was also at this time that Elijah the Prophet appeared, and conferred upon Joseph the keys of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children, previous to the re-institu- “The erection of the Kirtland temple was tion of the ordinance of .”6 a leading characteristic of the work of the last dis- pensation. Truman Angell It was commenced in June, 1833, under the “When about midway during the prayer, immediate direction of the Almighty, through his there was a glorious sensation passed through the servant, Joseph Smith, whom he had called in his house [Kirtland Temple]; and we, having our heads boyhood, like Samuel of old, to introduce the full- bowed in prayer, felt a sensation very elevating to ness of the everlasting gospel. the soul. At the close of the prayer, F. [Frederick] At that time the saints were few in num- G. Williams being in the upper east stand- -Joseph ber, and most of them very poor; and, had it not being in the speaking stand next below--rose and been for the assurance that God had spoken, and testified that midway during the prayer an holy an- had commanded that a house should be built to gel came and seated himself in the stand. When his name, of which he not only revealed the form, the afternoon meeting assembled, Joseph, feeling but also designated the dimensions, an attempt to- very much elated, arose the first thing and said the wards building that temple, under the then existing personage who had appeared in the morning was circumstances, would have been, by all concerned, the Angel Peter come to accept the dedication.”7 pronounced preposterous. Although many sections of the world 4 Kirtland Temple, Kirtland, Ohio, United States of America abounded with mosques, churches, synagogues and equal sections—giving to each one-half of one set cathedrals, built professedly for worship, this was of pulpits. the first instance, for the lapse of many centuries, From the day the ground was broken for of God having given a pattern, from the heavens, laying the foundation for the temple, until its dedi- and manifested by direct revelation how the edifice cation on the 27th of March, 1836, the work was should be constructed, in order that he might ac- vigorously prosecuted. cept and acknowledge it as his own. With very little capital except brain, bone This knowledge inspired the saints to al- and sinew, combined with unwavering trust in God, most superhuman efforts, while through faith and men, women, and even children, worked with their union they acquired strength. In comparison with might; while the brethren labored in their depart- eastern churches and cathedrals, this temple is not ments, the sisters were actively engaged in board- large, but in view of the amount of available means ing and clothing workmen not otherwise provided possessed, a calculation of the cost, at the lowest for—all living as abstemiously as possible so that possible figures, would have staggered the faith of every cent might be appropriated to the grand ob- any but Latter-day saints; and it now stands as a ject, while their energies were stimulated by the monumental pillar. prospect of participating in the blessing of a house Its dimensions are eighty by fifty-nine feet; built by the direction of the Most High and ac- the walls fifty feet high, and the tower one hundred cepted by him. and ten feet. The two main halls are fifty-five by The dedication was looked forward to with sixty-five feet, in the inner court. The building has intense interest; and when the day arrived (Sunday, four vestries in front, and five rooms in the attic, March 27th, 1836), a dense multitude assembled— which were devoted to literature, and for meetings the temple was filled to its utmost, and when the of the various quorums of the . ushers were compelled to close the doors, the out- There was a peculiarity in the arrangement side congregation was nearly if not quite as large as of the inner court which made it more than or- that within. dinarily impressive—so much so that a sense of Four hundred and sixteen elders, including sacred awe seemed to rest upon all who entered; prophets and apostles, with the first great proph- not only the saints, but strangers also manifested ets of the last dispensation at their head, were a high degree of reverential feeling. Four pulpits present—men who had been ‘called of God as stood, one above another, in the centre of the was Aaron,’ and clothed with the holy priesthood; building, from north to south, both on the east and many of them having just returned from missions, west ends; those on the west for the presiding of- on which they had gone forth like the ancient dis- ficers of the Melchisidec priesthood, and those on ciples, ‘without purse or scrip,’ now to feast for a the east for the Aaronic; and each of these pulpits little season on the sweet spirit of love and union, was separated by curtains of white painted canvas, in the midst of those who had ‘tasted of the pow- which were let down and drawn up at pleasure. In ers of the world to come.’ front of each of these two rows of pulpits, was At the hour appointed, the assembly was a sacrament table, for the administration of that seated, the Melchisidec and Aaronic priesthoods sacred ordinance. being arranged as follows: West end of the house, In each corner of the court was an elevated Presidents Frederick G. Williams, Joseph Smith, pew for the singers—the choir being distributed Sr., and William W. Phelps, occupied the first pulpit into four compartments. In addition to the pulpit for the Melchisidec priesthood; Presidents Joseph curtains, were others, intersecting at right angles, Smith, Jr., and , the which divided the main ground-floor hall into four second; Presidents David Whitmer, Oliver Cowdry Kirtland Temple, Kirtland, Ohio, United States of America 5 and , the third; the fourth pulpit was a prophesy, when the foundation was laid, that the occupied by the president of the high-priest’s quo- walls should never be erected. rum and his councilors, and two choristers. In reference to his main subject, the speak- The twelve apostles were on the right, in er assumed that in the days of the Saviour there the highest three seats; the president of the elders, were synagogues where the Jews worshipped God; his two councilors and clerk in the seat directly and in addition to those, the splendid temple in Je- below the twelve. The High Council of Kirtland, rusalem; yet when, on a certain occasion, one pro- consisting of twelve, were on the left, on the first posed to follow him, withersoever he went, though three seats. The fourth seat, and next below the heir of all things, he cried out in bitterness of soul, High Council, was occupied by Warren A. Cowdry ‘The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have and , who officiated as scribes. holes, and the birds of the air have ‘nests, but the In the east end of the house, the Bishop of Son of Man hath not where to lay his head.’ Kirtland—Newel K. Whitney—and his councilors From this the speaker drew the conclusion occupied the first pulpit for the Aaronic priesthood; that the Most High did not put his name there, nei- the Bishop of Zion—Edward Partridge—and his ther did he accept the worship of those who paid councilors, the second; the President of the priests their vows and adorations there. This was evident and his councilors, the third; the President of the from the fact that they did not receive the Saviour, teachers, and his councilors, and one chorister, the but thrust him from them, saying, ‘Away with him! fourth; the High Council of Zion, consisting of Crucify him! Crucify him!’ It was therefore evident twelve councilors, on the right; the President of that his spirit did not dwell in them. They were the the deacons, and his councilors, in the next seat degenerate sons of noble sires, but they had long below them, and the seven presidents of the sev- since slain the prophets and seers, through whom enties, on the left. the Lord had revealed himself to the children of At nine o’clock, President Sidney Rigdon men. They were not led by revelation. commenced the services of that great and memo- This, said the speaker, was the grand dif- rable day, by reading the ninety-sixth and twenty- ficulty—their unbelief in present revelation. He fourth Psalms; “Ere long the vail will be rent in then clearly demonstrated the fact that diversity of, twain,” etc., was sung by the choir, and after Presi- and contradictory opinions did, and would prevail dent Rigdon had addressed the throne of grace in among people not led by present revelation; which fervent prayer, “O happy souls who pray,” etc., was forcibly applies to the various religious sects of our sung. President Rigdon then read the eighteenth, own day; and inasmuch as they manifest the same nineteenth, and twentieth verses of the eighteenth spirit, they must be under the same condemnation chapter of Matthew, and spoke more particular- with those who were coeval with the Saviour. ly from the last-named verse, continuing his elo- He admitted there were many houses— quent, logical and sublime discourse for two and a many sufficiently large, built for the worship of half hours. God, but not one, except this, on the face of the At one point, as he reviewed the toils and whole earth, that was built by divine revelation; privations of those who had labored in rearing the and were it not for this, the dear Redeemer might, walls of that sacred edifice, he drew tears from in this day of science, intelligence and religion, say many eyes, saying, there were those who had wet to those who would follow him, “The foxes have those walls with their tears, when, in the silent holes, the birds of the”air have nests, but the Son shades of the night, they were praying to the God of Man hath not where ‘to lay his head.’ of heaven to protect them, and stay the unhal- After the close of his discourse, President lowed hands of ruthless spoilers, who had uttered Rigdon presented for an expression of their faith 6 Kirtland Temple, Kirtland, Ohio, United States of America and confidence, Joseph Smith, Jr., as prophet, seer sion and of the ministration of angels, and, after and revelator, to the various quorums, and the testimonials and exhortations by other elders, he whole congregation of saints, and a simultaneous blest the congregation in the name of the Lord. rising up followed, in token of unanimous con- Thus ended the ceremonies of the dedica- fidence, and covenant to uphold him as such, by tion of the first temple built by special command their faith and prayers. of the Most High, in this dispensation.” The morning services were concluded by the choir singing, ‘Now let us rejoice in the day of SOURCES salvation,’ etc. During an intermission of twenty 1 minutes, the congregation remained seated, and Edward W. Tullidge, The Women of Mormondom (New York: Tul- lidge & Crandall, 1877), 80-95. the afternoon services opened by singing, ‘This earth was once a garden place,’ etc. President Jo- seph Smith, Jr., addressed the assembly for a few moments, and then presented the first presidency Heber C. Kimball’s Description of of the church as prophets, seers, and revelators, Building the Kirtland Temple1 and called upon all who felt to acknowledge them as such, to manifest it by rising up. All arose. He then presented the twelve apostles who were present, as prophets, seers, and revelators, “Our women were engaged in knitting and and special witnesses to all the earth, holding the spinning, in order to clothe those who were labor- keys of the kingdom of God, to unlock it, or cause ing at the building; and the Lord only knows the it to be done among them; to which all assented scenes of poverty, tribulation and distress which by rising to their feet. He then presented the other we passed through to accomplish it. My wife had quorums in their order, and the vote was unani- toiled all summer in lending her aid towards its mous in every instance. accomplishment. She took a hundred pounds of He then prophesied to all, that inasmuch wool to spin on shares, which, with the assistance as they would uphold these men in their several of a girl, she spun, in order to furnish clothing for stations (alluding to the different quorums in the those engaged in building the temple; and although church), the Lord would bless them, ‘yea, in the she had the privilege of keeping half the quantity name of Christ, the blessings of heaven shall be of wool for herself, as a recompense for her labor, yours; and when the Lord’s anointed shall go forth she did not reserve even so much as would make to proclaim the word, bearing testimony to this a pair of stockings, but gave it for those who were generation, if they receive it they shall be blest; laboring at . She spun and but if not, the judgments of God will follow close wove, and got the cloth dressed and cut and made upon them, until that city or that house which re- up into garments, and gave them to the laborers jects them, shall be left desolate.’ on the temple. Almost all the sisters in Kirtland The hymn commencing with “How pleased labored in knitting, sewing, spinning, etc., for the and blest was I,” was sung, and the following same purpose; while we went up to to en- dedicatory prayer offered by the prophet, Joseph deavor to reinstate our brethren on the lands from Smith... which they had been driven. The choir then sang, “The spirit of God like Elder Rigdon, when addressing the brethren a fire is burning,” etc., after which the Lord’s sup- upon the importance of building this house, spake per was administered to the whole assembly. Then to this effect: That we should use every effort to President Joseph Smith bore testimony of his mis- accomplish this building by the time appointed; if Kirtland Temple, Kirtland, Ohio, United States of America 7 we did the Lord would accept it at our hands; and • Sunday on it depends the salvation of the Church, and also • 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM of the world. Looking at the sufferings and pov- erty of the Church, he frequently went upon the November - December walls of the building, both by night and day, and • Monday through Saturday wept, crying aloud to the Almighty to send means • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM whereby we might accomplish the building. • Sunday After we returned from our journey to the • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM West, the whole Church united in this great under- taking, and every man lent a helping hand. Those January - February who had not teams went to work in the stone Only open on Saturday and Sunday quarry and prepared the stones for drawing to the • Saturday house. • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM The Prophet, being our foreman, would put • Sunday on his tow frock and tow pantaloons and go into • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM the quarry. The Presidency, High Priests and Elders all alike assisting. Those who had teams assisted in Admission: drawing the stone to the house. These all labor- $2.00 ing one day in the week, brought as many stones to the house as supplied the masons through the whole week. We continued in this manner until the Further Readings Resources walls of the house were reared. The committee who were appointed by revelation to superintend the building were Hyrum Smith, and Jared Carter. They used every exertion in their Karl Ricks Anderson, Joseph Smith’s Kirtland: Eye- power to forward the work.” witness Accounts, 1989. Milton V. Backman, Jr., “Establish a House of SOURCES Prayer, a House of God: The Kirtland Temple,” 1 The Prophet Joseph, ed. Larry C. Porter and Susan Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball (Salt Lake City: Kimball Family, 1888), 68 - 69. Easton Black, 1988. A. F. Bennett, “The Kirtland Temple,” Utah Ge- neological and Historical Magazine, 1936. Visitor Information Janet Brigham, “Kirtland Today: History with a Future,” Ensign, (Feb. 1979), 50. Lyndon W. Cook, “The Apostle Peter and the Kirtland Temple,” BYU Studies, 1975. Address: Richard O. Cowan, “The House of the Lord 9020 Chillicothe Road in Kirtland: A ‘Preliminary Temple’”, Regional Kirtland, Ohio 44094 Studies in Latter-day Saint Church History: Ohio, ed. Milton V. Backman, Jr., 1990. Hours of Operation: B. Fillmore, “Story of the Church: Kirtland, A March - October Temple Erected,” Improvement Era, 1964. • Monday through Saturday M. P. S. Hitchcock, “Joseph Smith and the • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 8 Kirtland Temple, Kirtland, Ohio, United States of America

Kirtland Temple,” Lake County Historical Society Quarterly, 1965. Keith W. Perkins, “Kirtland Temple,” Encyclopedia of , ed. Daniel H. Ludlow et al., 1992. Lauritz G. Peterson, “The Kirtland Temple,” BYU Studies, 1972. Stephen D. Ricks, “The Appearance of Elijah and in the Kirtland Temple at the Jewish Passover,” BYU Studies, 1983. Albert L. Zobell, Jr., “The Lord’s House at Kirt- land,” Improvement Era, 1961.