Kirtland, Ohio
Printing Office Site
Sections 107 and 134
March 1835 and August 1835
Scripture
"The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the church in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things.
"The power and authority of the lesser, or Aaronic Priesthood, is to hold the keys of the ministering of angels, and to administer in outward ordinances, the letter of the gospel, the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, agreeable to the covenants and commandments.
The printing office was established behind the Kirtland Temple in late 1834.
"Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.
"He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even so. Amen."
Doctrine and Covenants 107:8, 20, 99-100
"We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society."
Doctrine and Covenants 134:1
Key Events
The first Twelve Apostles of this dispensation were called and ordained by the Three Witnesses.
First Quorum of the Seventy called and ordained.
The School of the Prophets was held here in 1834-1835.
The Lectures on Faith were first taught at the School of the Elders, which also met here in 1834-1835.
The second edition of the Book of Mormon, the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, and the first hymnbook were all printed here.
Several Church newspapers were also printed here, including the Evening and Morning Star, Messenger and Advocate, and Northern Times.
A two level building housed a schoolhouse, printing office, and the offices of the First Presidency. The building was destroyed by fire in early 1838, scorching the back of the temple.
Words of Joseph Smith
"Faith [is] the first principle in revealed religion, and the foundation of all righteousness . . . faith is the assurance which men have of the existence of things which they have not seen, and the principle of action in all intelligent beings . . . faith is the moving cause of all action in temporal concerns, so it is in spiritual . . . As we receive by faith all temporal blessings that we do receive, so we in like manner receive by faith all spiritual blessings that we do receive. But faith is not only the principle of action, but of power also, in all intelligent beings, whether in heaven or on earth . . . the principle of power which existed in the bosom of God, by which the worlds were framed, was faith; and that it is by reason of this principle of power existing in the Deity, that all created things exist; so that all things in heaven, on earth, or under the earth exist by reason of faith as it existed in Him." (Lectures on Faith, Lecture 1:1, 9, 12-13, 15)
Copyright 2005 Steve Mortensen. All rights reserved.