Kirtland, Ohio
Joseph Smith Jr. home
Sections 102, 103, 104, 106, and 108
February 1834 to December 1835
Scripture
"The high council was appointed by revelation for the purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church or the bishop's council to the satisfaction of the parties."
Doctrine and Covenants 102:2
"Verily I say unto you, my friends, behold, I will give unto you a revelation and commandment, that you may know how to act in the discharge of your duties concerning the salvation and redemption of your brethren, who have been scattered on the land of Zion."
This was the first home owned and occupied by Joseph and Emma in Ohio. They lived here from 1834 to 1837.
Doctrine and Covenants 103:1
"And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.
"But it must needs be done in mine own way; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.
"For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.
"And inasmuch as ye are humble and faithful and call upon my name, behold, I will give you the victory."
Doctrine and Covenants 104:15-17, 82
Key Events
The first Stake and High Council in the Church were organized here.
Egyptian mummies and papyri the Church purchased from Michael Chandler were displayed in the home.
Here Joseph Smith began translation of the Book of Abraham.
Zion's Camp originated in the home. Some felt that the expedition was unsuccessful, but the Lord had a different purpose in mind.
Many Church meetings were held here. The home was also a place of temporary shelter for Saints arriving in Kirtland who did not have a place to stay. Around 1837, the Prophet's parents moved into the home. The center section of the home is believed to have been part of the original residence.
Words of Joseph Smith
"Brethren, some of you are angry with me, because you did not fight in Missouri; but let me tell you, God did not want you to fight. He could not organize his kingdom with twelve men to open the gospel door to the nations of the earth, and with seventy men under their direction to follow in their tracks, unless he took them from a body of men who had offered their lives, and who had made as great a sacrifice as did Abraham. Now the Lord has got his twelve and his seventy, and there will be other quorums of seventy called, who will make the sacrifice, and those who have not made their sacrifices and their offerings now, will make them hereafter." (Comprehensive History of the Church 1:377)
"No man is capable of judging a matter, in council, unless his own heart is pure; and that we are frequently so filled with prejudice, or have a beam in our own eye, that we are not capable of passing right decisions. But to return to the subject of order; in ancient days councils were conducted with such strict propriety, that no one was allowed to whisper, be weary, leave the room, or get uneasy in the least, until the voice of the Lord, by revelation, or the voice of the council by the Spirit, was obtained, which has not been observed in this Church to the present time. It was understood in ancient days, that if one man could stay in council, another could; and if the president could spend his time, the members could also; but in our councils, generally, one will be uneasy, another asleep; one praying another not; one's mind on the business of the council, and another thinking on something else. Our acts are recorded, and at a future day they will be laid before us, and if we should fail to judge right and injure our fellow-beings, they may there, perhaps, condemn us; there they are of great consequence, and to me the consequence appears to be of force, beyond anything which I am able to express. Ask yourselves, brethren, how much you have exercised yourselves in prayer since you heard of this council; and if you are now prepared to sit in council upon the soul of your brother." (History of the Church 2:25-26)
Copyright 2005 Steve Mortensen. All rights reserved.