Church History

Turhand Kirtland, stockholder and land agent for the Connecticut Land Company, arrives in what will later become Kirtland Township — the place name that will define early Church history.

Trumbull County is the first county organized in the Western Reserve of northeastern Ohio. Geauga County (which includes Kirtland) is formed from it in 1805.

Joseph Smith Jr. is born in Sharon, Windsor County, Vermont, to Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith. He will become the founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Kirtland Township is formally organized in the Western Reserve of northeastern Ohio — the land that will soon become the headquarters of the restored Church of Jesus Christ.

In a grove near Palmyra, New York, Joseph Smith Jr. prays and is visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ. He is told his sins are forgiven and that the true church is not yet on the earth. This is the opening event of the Restoration of the gospel.

Joseph Smith Jr. and Emma Hale are married at South Bainbridge, New York. Emma becomes a central figure in the early Restoration — scribe, hymnist, and first president of the Relief Society.

Joseph Smith Jr. organizes the "Church of Christ" at Fayette Township, New York, in the log cabin of Peter Whitmer Sr. He is sustained as the first elder. The offices of Apostle, elder, priest, teacher, and deacon are established.

The first general conference of the restored Church is held at Fayette, New York.

Oliver Cowdery and other missionaries travel westward to preach to the Lamanites (Native Americans). On their way west they establish a branch of the Church at Kirtland, Ohio.

Sidney Rigdon, his congregation, and Newel K. Whitney are baptized into the LDS Church in the Kirtland area — adding hundreds of converts at once and transforming the Kirtland region.

The Latter-day Saints are instructed through revelation to gather to Ohio. Kirtland becomes LDS Church headquarters during the period 1831 to 1838.

After leaving Fayette, New York, Joseph Smith Jr. and Emma arrive in Kirtland and meet Newel K. Whitney at his general store. Kirtland is established as Church headquarters. Ohio becomes the fastest-growing area in the Church.

Joseph Smith receives revelations at Kirtland including the call of Edward Partridge as the Church's first bishop.

The fourth general conference of the Church is held at Kirtland. The first high priests are ordained into the Church. Elders are called and sent to Jackson County, Missouri, for settlement.

Joseph Smith receives a revelation that Jackson County, Missouri is the location of the New Jerusalem — the center place of Zion.

Joseph Smith Jr. is taken by a mob from the John Johnson home in Hiram, Ohio, and tarred and feathered. He recovers and continues his ministry.

Brigham Young is baptized into the LDS Church in New York. He will later become the second prophet of the Church and lead the Saints to the Salt Lake Valley.

Joseph Smith Jr. receives the revelation commanding the Saints to build a house of the Lord in Kirtland, Ohio — the first temple of the Restoration.

The School of the Prophets is organized in the Newel K. Whitney Store, Kirtland. It is an educational and spiritual training institution for Church leaders. Later meetings are held in the Kirtland Temple and eventually in Utah.

Joseph Smith Jr. receives the Word of Wisdom at Kirtland — a revelation establishing the health code of the Latter-day Saints. It advises against tobacco and alcohol, and encourages wholesome food.

The First Presidency is organized at Kirtland with Joseph Smith Jr. as President. Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams are called as counselors.

Construction of the Kirtland Temple begins. About 150 Latter-day Saints reside in Kirtland at this time. Men, women, and children all contribute to the construction under severe financial hardship.

The cornerstones of the Kirtland Temple are laid in a solemn ceremony.

Joseph Smith Sr. (father of the Prophet) is appointed Patriarch to the Church at Kirtland.

The first stake in the Church is organized at Kirtland, with Joseph Smith Jr. as stake president. The First Presidency serves as the Kirtland Stake presidency. The first high council in the Church is created.

Latter-day Saints begin a march from Ohio to western Missouri to assist the Saints who had been driven from Jackson County. About 200 men march over 900 miles. Though Zion is not redeemed, many of these men will later become the Quorum of the Twelve.

Oliver Cowdery is appointed as an assistant (or associate) president in the Church at Kirtland.

Joseph Smith prepares the Lectures on Faith for publication — seven theological lectures on the nature of faith, originally delivered at the School of the Prophets.

The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is organized at Kirtland — largely from men who had served in Zion's Camp. This governing body will lead the Church after Joseph's death.

The First Quorum of the Seventy is organized at Kirtland — a quorum of traveling ministers patterned after the seventy sent out by Christ in Luke 10.

A comprehensive revelation regarding the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods, the keys of the kingdom, and the quorums of the Church is received at Kirtland.

The revelations of Joseph Smith Jr. are to be published in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants — the first official canonization of these revelations.

The Kirtland Temple is dedicated by Joseph Smith Jr. Some 900 to 1,000 people attend the dedicatory services. Approximately 2,000 Latter-day Saints have settled in and near Kirtland. The dedicatory prayer is recorded as D&C 109.

On Easter Sunday, Joseph Smith Jr. and Oliver Cowdery receive visions of heavenly messengers in the Kirtland Temple. Jesus Christ accepts the temple. Moses restores the keys of the gathering. Elias commits the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham. Elijah restores the sealing keys, fulfilling Malachi's prophecy.

The Kirtland Safety Society Anti-Banking Company fails amid the nationwide Panic of 1837. Many banks across the U.S. collapse. This financial crisis triggers apostasy and opposition against Joseph Smith within Kirtland.

Joseph and Emma Smith flee Kirtland due to religious persecution, financial strains, and apostasy within the community. They travel to Far West, Missouri, where Church headquarters is relocated.

The official name of the Church is established as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by revelation.

Under the direction of the First Council of the Seventy, over 500 Latter-day Saints begin leaving Kirtland for western Missouri in a group known as Kirtland Camp.

Joseph Smith Jr. resides in Far West, Missouri, and establishes the headquarters of the Church. Missouri becomes the new gathering place — until the Saints are again driven out.

Joseph Smith Jr. begins compiling the History of the Church — a monumental record of the early Restoration. It eventually fills seven volumes.

Joseph Smith receives a revelation at Nauvoo, Illinois: "I, the Lord, will build up Kirtland" (D&C 124:83). Hyrum Smith also writes that Kirtland will be "polished and refined." This prophecy is still awaiting fulfillment.

Joseph Smith Jr. and his brother Hyrum are killed by a mob at the Carthage Jail in Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois. Joseph is 38 years old. The martyrdom seals his testimony with his blood.

The westward migration of the Latter-day Saints from Nauvoo, Illinois begins under the leadership of Brigham Young, who becomes the prophet and president of the LDS Church. Thousands cross the frozen Mississippi River.