Kirtland — City of Faith
By Becky Cardon Smith
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In 1811, a former Revolutionary War soldier named Christopher Crary, along with his wife Estella and nine children, became Kirtland’s first permanent settlers. Among other early settlers to the area was a man named Isaac Morley. By the early 1820s, a township had been created and buildings were erected.  These included a sawmill, gristmill, and a schoolhouse. Another early settler, Newel K. Whitney, opened Kirtland’s first general store in 1823. Several years later, Newel also became the local postmaster.

This sawmill was one of the first structures in the new town of Kirtland.

By 1827, Kirtland had its first hotel — the Peter French Inn. About this time, a young man from New York named Parley P. Pratt settled in Amherst, just 45 miles west of Kirtland. He became good friends with and accepted the teachings of a Reformed Baptist minister named Sidney Rigdon.  Impressed that he should share his newfound beliefs, Parley sold his farm in Amherst and returned to New York with his wife, only to hear about and discover a new book of scripture called the Book of Mormon. While reading it, wanting little food or sleep, Parley soon felt an assurance of its truthfulness. Hungry for more knowledge, he went to Palmyra.  There he met Joseph Smith’s brother, Hyrum, and was soon baptized.

The Whitney Store was the site of many revelations and was home to the first Bishop’s Storehouse.

In October 1830, Parley P. Pratt was one of the four missionaries called in New York to go west and teach the gospel to the Lamanites (D&C 32:1-3). They taught as they traveled to the western Missouri region. Parley stopped in the Kirtland area to share the gospel with his friend, Sidney Rigdon. Sidney was skeptical, but allowed Parley and the other missionaries to preach to his congregation. In a few short weeks, the four missionaries succeeded in converting and baptizing 127 individuals before continuing on their journey. Some of these new converts included Sidney Rigdon, Isaac Morley, Lyman Wight, Newel K. Whitney, Frederick G. Williams, John Murdock, and Philo Dibble. Edward Partridge was also taught by these early missionaries and was later baptized after visiting the Prophet in Palmyra.   

Today the Sidney Rigdon home shows the inroads of modern life.

While the Church was growing in the Kirtland area, the Saints in Palmyra were facing persecution. In December 1830, and again in January 1831, Joseph was directed by the Lord: “… go to the Ohio …” (D&C 37:3, D&C 38:32). In February 1831, the Prophet and his family arrived in Kirtland, thus establishing it as the headquarters of the Church. In the next few months, many of the Saints in New York sold their farms, often at a loss, and joined the Prophet in Kirtland.

 
The Morely Farm as seen today looks similar to the way the land must have looked in Joseph Smith’s time.

During the next seven years, from 1831 to 1838, Church membership in the area grew to about 2,000. But of even greater importance were the many significant spiritual events that occurred in and around Kirtland during this important period in Church history. 

Significant Events in Kirtland

It is difficult to describe even briefly all of the significant events that occurred during the Kirtland Period from 1831 to 1838. Among these are the following: almost one-half of the revelations recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants were received here, the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants was published, the organization of the Church headed by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve was established, the first stake was organized, the School of the Prophets was started, Joseph Smith’s inspired revision of the Bible was completed, the first temple in this dispensation was built, and many marvelous spiritual manifestations were experienced.

The School of the Prophets was held in an upper room of the Whitney Store.

Visiting the sites mentioned in this article, reading the brief synopses, taking the tours of the homes, and reading further from some of the suggested sources will help you to more fully understand the significance of the Kirtland period in the history of the Church.

(Next week:  Kirtland Temple — House of Spiritual Manifestations)

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