John Johnson Inn Kirtland, Ohio, United States of America The original John Johnson Inn was built in 1813 by Peter French and was the first brick struc- ture in the Kirtland area. The inn was purchased by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1833. The Inn served as a temporary printing of- fice after the destruction of the press in Indepen- dence, Missouri by a mob in 1833. The Morning and Evening Star was published here between De- cember 1833 and 1834.1 Other significant events occurring at the Inn included displaying the Egyptian mummies Joseph purchased from Michael Chandler, the call- ing of Joseph Smith, Sr. as the first patriarch of the Church, and the giving of the first patriarchal The John Johnson Inn blessings. Photo Courtesy of Alexander L. Baugh Lorenzo Snow described his experience with witnessing Joseph Smith, Sr giving patriarchal blessings: Deseret Book Co., 1989), 122 - 123. 2 Ibid, 148. “I listened with astonishment to him telling the brethren and sisters their parentage, their lin- eage, and other things which I could not help but believe he knew nothing about, save as the Visitor Information Spirit manifested them unto him. After listen- ing to several patriarchal blessings pronounced upon the heads of different individuals with whose history I was acquainted, and of whom Address: I knew the Patriarch was entirely ignorant, I 7800 Chillicothe Road was struck with astonishment to hear the pecu- Kirtland, Ohio 44094 liarities of those persons positively and plainly referred to in their blessings. I was convinced Hours of Operation: that an influence, superior to human prescience, 2 Monday - Saturday: dictated his words.” • 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM In 2003, the John Johnson Inn was reconstruct- Sunday: ed on its original location with the help of The • 11:30 AM to 7:00 PM Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During the winter, closes at 5:00 PM SOURCES Admission: 1 Karl Ricks Anderson, Joseph Smith’s Kirtland (Salt Lake City: Free 2 John Johnson Inn, Kirtland, Ohio, United States of America Further Reading Resources Keith Perkins, “A House Divided: The John John- son Family,” Ensign, (February 1979), 54..