Appendix A: Documented Chronology of the Kirtland Temple

List of abbreviations used in this chronology:

December 28, 1832. Revelation given to Joseph Smith commanding Saints to “establish . . . a house of God.”

D&C 88:119.

January 11, 1833. “The Lord commanded us in Kirtland to build an house of God.”

Joseph Smith Jr. to Phelps, in PWJS, 263.

June 1, 1833. Temple building committee (Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon, and Jared Carter) issues a circular asking members to contribute funds. Revelation specifies the dimensions of the temple and the function of the upper and lower courts and chastises the Church members for “not consider[ing]” the commandment to build a temple. Hyrum, “determined to be the first at the work,” clears the ground.

HC, 1:349–52. D&C 95. Lucy Mack Smith, “History of Lucy Smith,” 189–90.

June 3–4, 1833. Conference held in which construction of temple was discussed. Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams appointed “to obtain a draft or construction of the inner court.”

HC, 1:352.

Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams see temple plan in vision. Later, leading mechanic John Carl, a carriage builder, wants to arrange seats in the temple contrary to Joseph’s proposal. Joseph insists on arranging seating according to the vision.

Angell, “Journal,” 124. Kimball, “Extract of Journal,” 771. “History of Brigham Young,” Millennial Star, 535. Orson Pratt, “Order,” in JD, 14:273–74. JD, 2:31; 13:357; 18:131–32; 19:16. Ohio (Hudson) Observer, August 11, 1836. Angell to Taylor and Council. Coe, “Mormonism,” 4. Belnap, Autobiography, 11–12.

Plan and site for temple construction are selected.

Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith, 230–31.

June 5–6, 1833. George A. Smith hauls first load of stone; Hyrum Smith and Reynolds Cahoon dig a trench for the walls. Conference votes that the building committee should immediately start obtaining the stone, brick, and lumber.

HC, 1:353–54. Lorenzo Young, “Narrative,” 42. George Smith, “Memoirs,” 10.

July 23, 1833. Cornerstones are laid.

HC, 1:400. Brigham Young, “Temple Corner Stones,” 1:133–35. Jenson, Journal History, July 23, 1833, 1–2.

July–August 1833. Joel Hills Johnson begins making bricks for the temple.

Joel Johnson, Autobiography, 5.

Summer 1833. Levi W. Hancock donates $50 to temple fund. Works on temple “when ever I could.”

Hancock, Diary, 76.

1833. Work on temple continues.

William Smith, William Smith on Mormonism. Cahoon, Autobiography.

September 4, 1833. Temple work makes great progress. Joseph Smith hopes to be finished by spring 1834 so “we can have a place to worship where we shall not be molested.” Joseph Smith labors with his own hands.

Joseph Smith Jr. to Jaques, in PWJS, 295–96.

September 1833. William Burgess is one of the chief carpenters. Walls reach four feet above the ground.

William Burgess, Autobiography, 95–96.

September 25, 1833. Members are so poor that “there was not a scraper and hardly a plow that could be found among the Saints” to dig temple foundation.

Benjamin Johnson, Life’s Review, 16. Joel Johnson, Autobiography, 5.

October 10, 1833. Temple construction is discontinued for the winter due to lack of materials. Workers plan to recommence “early in the spring.”

Williams to Saints in Missouri, in HC, 1:418.

Fall–Winter 1833–34. Men stand guard at night to protect temple walls from mob destruction. Walls are still being built.

Hancock, Diary, 77. Joel Johnson, Autobiography, 5. HC, 2:2.

February 20, 1834. Orson Hyde and Orson Pratt are sent east “to obtain . . . means to redeem the farm on which the house of the Lord stands.”

HC, 2:35.

April 1834. The basement walls, which had been covered the previous autumn, are uncovered. Members covenant at April conference to finish the walls that season.

Draper, Autobiography, 2.

April 17, 1834. Sidney Rigdon gives a speech concerning the building of the temple.

Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:30.

May 6, 1834. Sidney Rigdon, Newel K. Whitney, and Oliver Cowdery state their expectations that Pentecostal experiences will occur in the temple.

Rigdon, Whitney, and Cowdery to Boynton, in Karl Anderson, Joseph Smith’s Kirtland, 169–70.

May 7, 1834. The departure of Zion’s Camp leaves “but few men in Kirtland,” including “a few working on the Temple.” Those who remain in Kirtland are required to work on the temple one day of each week.

HC, 2:64. Coe, “Mormonism,” 4.

June 22, 1834. Zion will not yet be redeemed, but Zion’s Camp members are told “the first elders of my church should receive their endowment from on high in my house.”

D&C 105:33.

September 1, 1834. After Zion’s Camp returns, all Church members are working on the temple again. The Stannard and Russell Quarries are used for stone. Joseph Smith acts as foreman in stone quarry and, “when other duties would permit,” labors with his own hands. Every Saturday all teams are used to bring stone from quarry for masons to use during the week to come. Men without teams labor in the quarry. Emma Smith supervises cooking and sewing for workers. Women are constantly sewing and doing other work.

HC, 2:161. Kimball, “Building the Temple,” in JD, 10:165–66. Kimball, “Extracts from H. C. Kimball’s Journal,” 867. Crary, Pioneer and Personal Reminiscences, 32–33.

Description given of the completed temple interior.

Crary, Pioneer and Personal Reminiscences, 32–33.

October 1834. Walls grow quickly. “Great exertions were made to expedite the work of the Lord’s house.” Father Fisher falls from scaffolds and becomes “disabled from manual labor.” Scant food and clothing are available for workers; still, they are cheerful. Sidney Rigdon walks the temple walls day and night, praying and crying for financial aid to complete the temple.

William Burgess Jr., Autobiography, 1–2. HC, 2:167. Draper, Autobiography, 1. Daniel Tyler, “Temples,” 283. Larson, Erastus Snow, 466. Kimball, “Extracts from H. C. Kimball’s Journal,” 867; “House of God,” 147.

January 21, 1835. John Tanner arrives in Kirtland on January 20 in answer to Joseph Smith’s prayer. The next day, Tanner loans Joseph Smith $2,000 to keep the mortgage from foreclosing and later loans $13,000 to the temple committee.

E. Pingree Tanner, “John Tanner,” 2. Nathan Tanner, Autobiography, 25–27.

February 1835. Walls are “up to the square,” and the roof is being put on.

Joseph Young to Harvey, November 16, 1880, 6.

March 7–8, 1835. Blessings are given to 121 men who participated in building.

HC, 2:205–8. Benjamin Johnson, Life’s Review, 22–23. Joel Johnson, Autobiography, 5.

Spring 1835. “Many of the first Elders” in Missouri have been instructed to travel to Kirtland to help with temple construction.

Jackman, “Short Sketch,” 8.

Spring 1835. Roof on temple partly completed. Nancy Tracy attends meeting in unfinished temple.

Tracy, Autobiography, 8.

May–September 1835. The Twelve Apostles travel on a mission to the East “for the express purpose of soliciting donations.”

HC, 2:239, 252, 375.

June 18, 1835. Kirtland members subscribe $950.

HC, 2:234.

June 25, 1835. $6,232.50 is subscribed, including large donations from Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, W. W. Phelps, John Whitmer, and Frederick G. Williams.

HC, 2:234.

July 1835. Roof is completed. Expected features of the finished building are described.

“House of God,” 147.

July 19–20, 1835. Work on steeple underway. Meetings are held in the temple.

W. W. Phelps to Sally Phelps, in Van Orden, “Writing to Zion,” 555.

July 26, 1835. Sabbath meeting held in temple. Sidney Rigdon preaches four hours to one thousand people.

Jackman, “Short Sketch,” 17.

August 1835. Sarah Leavitt hears Joseph Smith preach in temple, “which proved to be a very good house.” She tours upper rooms and sees mummies and papyrus.

Leavitt, “History,” 7.

August 25, 1835. Truman Coe, not a member of the Church, describes the temple. Women have been instructed “to part with even the necessities of life” for the temple. The Saints expect Christ’s return following the completion of the temple. Saints very zealous in building the temple. Coe is full of awe, especially when seeing the “imposing splendor of the pulpits.” Estimates $40,000 as total cost.

Coe, “Mormonism,” 4.

September 16, 1835. Many of the elders from Missouri are at work on the temple. It is being finished slowly.

Phelps to Phelps, in Van Orden, “Writing to Zion,” 565.

September 23, 1835. Noah Packard loans one thousand dollars for temple construction.

Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:39, 41.

Uncertain date. Eliza R. Snow donates cash to temple. In exchange, leaders give her “a note of hand for the amount,” which they redeem by deeding her a valuable city lot.

Snow, “Sketch of My Life,” 7.

Fall 1835. Truman O. Angell moves to Kirtland. Sunday meeting is held in temple, on the loose floor, with members seated on work benches; temple is two-thirds filled with people. Roof is supported by four trusses. Angell “had supervision of finishing the second, or middle Hall of the temple, including the stands, etc.”

Angell, “Journal,” 121, 123.

October 1835. Reminder issued to those who have subscribed: they need to pay.

“House of the Lord,” 207.

November 2, 1835. Exterior stuccoing and hard-finishing work begins.

HC, 2:363.

November 9, 1835. Interior plastering begun by Jacob Bump (cost: $1,500) on November 9. Artemus Millett and Lorenzo Young engaged in exterior plastering and finishing (cost: $1,000). They endure extreme cold weather, and Young contracts consumption.

Lorenzo Young, “Narrative,” 43.

November 12, 1835. Temple must be prepared so that members can experience “the ordinance of washing of feet.” Joseph Smith writes about that ordinance.

Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:75–77.

November 19, 1835. Finishing coat of plaster is being applied to temple interior.

Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:86–87.

Newspaper article mentions the “Heathen Temple”: “a stone building, 58 feet by 78 feet, with dormer windows.”

Noah, New York Evening Star, in HC, 2:351.

December 10 and 13, 1835. The kiln that prepares wood for the temple catches fire on these days; considerable lumber is lost.

Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:101, 104. Phelps to Phelps, in Van Orden, “Writing to Zion,” 570.

December 31, 1835. Joseph Smith gives directions concerning the temple’s upper rooms, especially the translating room.

Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:124.

January 1836. Preparation for washings and anointings is underway. Fifty men (carpenters, joiners, masons, mortar masons) at work on temple. The exterior finishing is half complete, and the scaffolds are taken halfway down. Plastering on the lower part of the inner court is nearly complete. Great effort is being made to procure a bell for the temple.

Phelps to Phelps, in Van Orden, “Writing to Zion,” 577.

January 4, 1836. Hebrew School held in west upper room for the first time. Room consecrated by Joseph Smith Sr. Parley Pratt describes some of the ordinances performed during priesthood meetings. A meeting is also held in the temple to start a “Singing School.”

Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:128–29. Pratt, Autobiography, 108. Luke Johnson, Autobiography, 5.

January 8, 1836. Work on the temple continues. Exterior plastering and hard-finishing work completed.

HC, 2:363. Caroline Crosby, Memoirs and Diary. Jonathan Crosby, Autobiography.

Artemus Millett and Lorenzo Young complete the exterior plastering and hard-finishing. Young recalls that they finished the work in the early part of December. January date is perhaps an error in History of the Church as the paragraph contains another date misattribution.

HC, 2:363. Lorenzo Young, “Narrative,” 43. Artemus Millett, Biography, in Karl Anderson, Joseph Smith’s Kirtland, 163.

Artemus Millett records that old crockery and glass are mixed into the cement he had invented.

Artemus Millett, Biography, in Karl Anderson, Joseph Smith’s Kirtland, 163.

January 14–15, 1836. Rules and regulations of the temple are drafted by Joseph Smith and accepted by priesthood holders. Temple doorkeepers are selected. Temple keys are assigned to Kirtland High Council presidency and the bishopric of the Aaronic Priesthood. John Corrill is “appointed to take charge” of the temple.

Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:136–43. Kirtland High Council Minutes, January 15, 1836.

January 18, 1836. The Elders’ School moves into a third-floor room of the temple.

Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:149.

January 21–22, 1836. The ordinance of anointing is administered in upper (attic) west room. Revelations, ministering of angels, and visions, including one of the face of Christ, occur. Joseph Smith receives a vision of the celestial kingdom (D&C 137).

Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:156–60. Partridge, Diaries. Detailed description of these meetings in Arrington, “Cowdery’s ‘Sketch Book,’” 410–26. JD, 19:16, 19, contrasts Kirtland and Nauvoo ordinances.

January 28, 1836. Visions are seen during the sealing of anointings.

Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:163–64. Harrison Burgess, Autobiography, in Backman, Heavens Resound, 292. Kimball, Autobiography, 35. Post, Diary. Record of the First Quorum of Elders, January 25, 28, 1836. High Priest Minutes.

February 6, 1836. Priesthood meeting is held in the temple; some participants see visions.

Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 169–71.

February 22–24, 1836. Lower room ready for painting. Brigham Young had to leave Hebrew class to “superintend the painting of the lower room until finished.” Sisters make veil. Joseph Smith states that “the sisters now are the first to work on the inside of the temple.” In meeting of priesthood holders, the Prophet pronounces a blessing upon the sisters “for their liberality in giving their services” in making the veil. Another meeting held in the upper west room determines priesthood ordination for various individuals. Similar meeting is held on March 17, 1836.

HC, 2:399. Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:178–79. Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 12.

February 29, 1836. Two visitors, not members of the Church, come to see the temple and are asked to remove their hats when entering. Elder Morey is the “keeper of the house.”

Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:181.

March 16, 1836. Choir performs for Joseph Smith in the temple.

Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:189.

Exterior and interior are described. “Peculiar” inner court instills viewers, both those who are members of the Church and those who are not, with awe.

Snow, “Kirtland Temple,” 56–57. Belnap, Autobiography, 11–12.

The two windows in the gable end of the attic story are intended to give light to the Prophet’s room.

Angell, Autobiography.

Temple is described. Total cost of the temple is $40,000. Church is $13,000–14,000 in debt at time of its completion. The second story is entirely for instruction; thus, it contains tables instead of slips.

Corrill, Brief History, 21–22.

March 26, 1836. Oliver Cowdery, Joseph Smith, Rigdon, W. A. Cowdery, and W. Parrish meet to write the prayer for the temple dedication.

Arrington, “Cowdery’s ‘Sketch Book,’” 426.

March 27, 1836. Temple is dedicated. Ira Ames, who had previously organized the confused financial records for the temple, is the chorister for dedication service. Some members struggle with Joseph Smith’s reading the dedication prayer instead of simply pronouncing it. Evening priesthood meeting is held in temple. Several people see visions, prophesy, and speak in tongues. Angels are seen hovering around the temple exterior. A mighty, rushing wind is heard. Some women are “right huffy” about the washings taking place in the temple.

HC, 2:410–28. Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:191–203. JD, 2:10, 214–15; 9:376; 11:10; 18:132. Arrington, “Cowdery’s ‘Sketch Book,’” 426. “Kirtland, Ohio, March 27, 1836,” 274–81. Angell, “Journal,” 124–25. Partridge, Diaries. Kimball, Autobiography, 66. Hale, Autobiography, 4–5. Tracy, Autobiography, 8–9. Hyde, Autobiography, 7. Elliott, Reminiscences, 44. Ames, Autobiography and Journal, 193. Post, Diary. Brown, Testimonies, 10–11. Jackman, “Short Sketch,” 17. Snow, “Sketch of My Life,” 6–7. Snow, “Kirtland Temple,” 57–62. Knight, Scraps of Biography, 94–95. Hyde, Journal. Caroline Crosby, Memoirs and Diary, 49. Webb, “Autobiography,” 289. Joel Johnson, Autobiography, 5. Robinson, “Items of Personal History,” 89–90.

Claims about the total cost of the temple range from $40,000 to $250,000.

“Anniversary of the Church,” 488. Corrill, Brief History, 21. JD, 2:214; 24:15–17.

Later, after becoming alienated from the Church, Winchester claimed that the dedication ended in a drunken revel.

Winchester, “Primitive Mormonism,” 2.

March 29–30, 1836. All-day, all-night fast meetings are held. Ordinance of washing of feet performed for over three hundred. Some see the Savior; others ministered to by angels.

Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:203–7. Partridge, Diaries.

Spring 1836. Duncan mentions that he received his washing in the “cellar of the temple.”

Duncan, Autobiography, 6–7.

March 31, 1836. Another dedicatory ceremony is held for those who, due to space constraints in the temple, were unable to attend the first dedication.

Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:207–8. Partridge, Diaries.

Law of common consent practiced in Kirtland Temple. Each quorum stands, in turn, to vote. Then all, including women, stand to vote.

Orson Pratt, Journal, October 5, 1877. JD, 19:199–20.

April 3, 1836. Appearance of Christ, Moses, Elias, and Elijah restoring keys to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.

Joseph Smith Jr., Ohio Journal, in PJS, 2:209–10.

April 5–6, 1836. Priesthood holders gather for ordinance of anointing (April 5) and washing of feet (April 6). They experience speaking in tongues, visions of angels, and the Spirit of the Lord filling the temple.

Draper, Autobiography, 2–3. Hale, Autobiography. Kimball, Autobiography (enlarged), 37.

April 16, 1836. Ordinance of washing of feet performed.

Burkett, Diary, 6.

May 1, 1836. Ordinances of anointing and washing of feet performed in temple. Some receive gift of prophecy; some see angels.

Robinson, “Items of Personal History,” 90–91.

1836–1837. Temple overflowing with communicants. Services are held on Sunday morning, afternoon, and occasionally evenings. Choir practice is held on other evenings. Various priesthood quorums assigned weeknights to meet in upper west room. Prayer meeting for all members is held on Thursday evenings. The first Thursday of each month is fast and testimony meeting from ten o’clock in the morning to four o’clock in the afternoon. Beginning in November, Kirtland High School meets in attic story during daytime. Numerous descriptions of Pentecostal experiences.

HC, 2:474–75. Ames, Autobiography, 1836. Duncan, Autobiography, 3. Tanner, Autobiography, 1836. Andrus, Autobiography, 5. Joel Johnson, Autobiography, 2. Snow, Autobiography, 7. Fielding to Thompson, in Godfrey, Godfrey, and Derr, Women’s Voices, 60–61. Snow, “Kirtland Temple,” 63–64. Snow, Biography and Family Record, 11–13. Benjamin Johnson, Life’s Review, 23, 28. “Our Village,” 444. Luke Johnson, Autobiography, 834–46. “Minutes of a Conference,” 51. Pratt, Autobiography, 130. Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 12. JD, 9:375–76; 14:273; 25:158. Prescindia Huntington, Reminiscences, 207–9. Corrill, Brief History, 23.

Fall 1836. George Albert Smith attends school in temple for four months.

George Smith, “Sketch,” 440.

October 1836. Temple policy is established that when the Saints are not using the building it is available, except on Sunday, to preachers of other sects or to other people “of respectability.”

“Judge after Hearing,” 395–96.

November 25, 1836. Wilford Woodruff tours temple and sees papyrus and four mummies in upper rooms.

Jessee, “Kirtland Diary of Wilford Woodruff,” 371. Woodruff, Journal, 1:106–7.

November 27, 1836. Wilford Woodruff attends Sunday services in temple.

Upon this Lords day Elder Smoot & myself accompanied Elder Parrish to the house of the Lord for the first time to behold the Congregation of the Saints assembled Within its Walls for the Purpose of worshiping God. It was truly an interesting scene. It brought a lengthy Catalogue of transactions Contemplations & experience of my youth to my mind & the experiance of this day fulfilled many things of a spiritual nature which I had looked [for] for a number of years which I viewed as Promises of God.

After I entered the house & was seated I cast my eyes upon the Pulpits aranged in order for the High Priest. I beheld the Patriarch Joseph Smith sen. Standing in the upper Pulpet, & President Joseph Smith, jr. & Elder Carter in the Second one & in the third Elders Parley and & Orson Pratt & W Parrish was seated. Soon Elder Carter arose & opened meeting by Prayer & then Preched the gospel unto us & was followed by President Joseph Smith, jr. when meeting was dissmissed & after an intermishion of an hour we again met in the house of the Lord & I was called into the stand in company with Elder Smoot & requested to Preach to the People. I opened by Prayer & read the LVI Chapter of Isaiah & made some brief remarks upon the same & gave a sketch of my travels in the South. I was then followed by Elder Smoot. After he closed I was blessed with the priviledge of communing with a multitude of Saints in the house of the Lord assembled together from the east, west, north & South many with whom I had been intimately acquainted. (Woodruff, Journal, 1:108–9)

December 1, 1836. Joseph Smith Sr. gives patriarchal blessings in temple. Wilford Woodruff notes:

Repaired to the house of the Lord whare Father Smith met a number of Saints to Pronounce upon them a Patriarchal Blessing. This was the first meeting of the kind that I ever attended & I found it to be highly edefying & interesting as their was great & glorious things pronounced upon their heads by the spirit of Prophesy & Revelation. (Woodruff, Journal, 1:110)

December 11, 1836. Wilford Woodruff goes “up to the house of God to worship & O what a meeting. May it be Printed upon my heart as a memorial forever.”

Woodruff, Journal, 1:111.

December 18, 1836. Wilford Woodruff goes to the temple. William Smith delivers a sermon. Joseph Young administers the sacrament. “President Joseph Smith jr. Solumnized the rights of matrimony.”

Woodruff, Journal, 1:111.

December 20, 1836. Wilford Woodruff meets with the “quorum of the Seventies” in the temple.

Woodruff, Journal, 1:112.

January 1837. Parties of pleasure drive to Kirtland to view the temple. One woman, not a member of the Church, is appalled by the temple’s extravagance; she could not bear to see the temple adorned and beautiful.

“Our Village,” 444. Brigham Young, “Speech,” 956.

January 3, 1837. Wilford Woodruff reports, “At early Candle light I repaired to the house of the Lord in company with Elder Milton Holmes for the purpose of meeting with the quorum of the Seventies.”

Woodruff, Journal, 1:118.

March 1837. Members of other faiths praise the temple. Parley P. Pratt allows them to preach in it.

Davis, “Kirtland—Mormonism,” 490–91.

March 23, 1837. Saints attend meetings and experience spiritual gifts in temple.

I repaired to the house of the Lord at an early hour in the morning to spend the day in prayer and fasting With the saints in Kirtland, as this was a day set apart for that purpose. Immediately after entering the house in company with several other Elders, I went within the veil and we bowed down before the Lord in the Aronic stand & offer’d a morning sacrifice, & the Spirit of God rested upon us with joy to our Souls.

I was Called upon, by the Patriarch JOSEPH to read a Chapter in the book of Mormon. I then read the third Chapter of the Book of Jacob, which contains the parable of the tame olive tree likend unto the house of Israel as was spake by the Prophet Zenos. The same God that touched Isaiah’s lips with hallowed fire, gave Zenos great wisdom in setting forth this parable.

After I had made some brief remarks upon the subject the congregation took their seats, for the sevices of the day, in the following order: The house being divided into four parts by veils, the females occupied two parts & the males the others. Some of the Presidency presided in each appartment.

The time was taken up during the day in each appartment in singing, exortation, & prayer. Some had a tongue, others an interpetation, & all was in order. The power of GOD rested upon the people. The gifts were poured out upon us. Some had the administering of angles & the image of GOD sat upon the countenances of the Saints.

At 4 oclock PM the Veils were all rolled up together which brought the whole Congregation in full view of each other and while the presence of the LORD filled the house the congregation of the Saints fell upon their knees & all as one man, vocally poured forth rejoicing, supplication & Prayer, before the God of Israel which Closed the services of the day, after contributing for the support of the poor. (Woodruff, Journal, 1:126–27)

April 2, 1837. Wilford Woodruff “attended worship in the Lords house upon this Sabbath day.”

Woodruff, Journal, 1:127.

April 6, 1837. Solemn assembly convenes “for the purpose of washing, anointing, washing of feet, receiving instructions, and the further organization of the ministry.” Unliquidated debt on temple is $13,000. Members are encouraged to contribute to discharge the Church’s various debts. Joseph Smith conducts a testimony meeting; gifts of tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy are present.

HC, 2:475–80. Jessee, “Kirtland Diary of Wilford Woodruff,” 389–92. Warren Cowdery, “Anniversary of the Church,” 488.

April 7, 1837. Night meeting is held, in which gift of prophecy is present. Holy Ghost “immersed our bodies like a consuming fire.”

Jessee, “Kirtland Diary of Wilford Woodruff,” 392–93. JD, 13:332–33.

April 20, 1837. During temple service, members receive gift of tongues and interpretation of tongues.

Jessee, “Kirtland Diary of Wilford Woodruff,” 396.

May 13, 1837. Temple rooms and the mummies and papyri in the attic are seen.

Foote, Autobiography, 5–6. Holden, “Recollections,” 153.

June 1837. Heber C. Kimball prays daily in attic of temple in preparation for his mission to England.

“History of Brigham Young,” Deseret News, 385.

Summer 1837. Many prominent priesthood leaders meet in upper room to discuss replacing Joseph Smith with David Whitmer as President. Other leaders strongly oppose this idea. Meeting ends without agreement.

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 15–16.

August–September 1837. Boynton, Parrish, and others disrupt Sunday service with guns and knives, attempting to seize the temple. Apostates ousted by police and members. Soon after, dissidents begin holding Thursday meetings in the temple for their “pure church.”

Snow, Biography and Family Record, 20–21. Oliver Huntington, Diary, 28–29. Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith, 241, 243.

September 18, 1837. Before leaving Kirtland, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon hold a farewell meeting in the temple.

Fielding to Thompson and Thompson, in Godfrey, Godfrey, and Derr, Women’s Voices, 68. Joseph Smith Jr., Elders’ Journal, 28.

January 16, 1838. Temple scorched when arsonist sets fire to nearby printing office. Dissidents have temple keys and plan a Sunday meeting in the temple.

Richards to Willard Richards, in Godfrey, Godfrey, and Derr, Women’s Voices, 71. Barnes, Journal.

March 1838. Vision is seen of steamboat full of people passing over the temple to the West. Saints are encouraged; they feel the Lord has not forgotten them.

John Pulsipher, Autobiography, 2. Zerah Pulsipher, Autobiography, 9.

Pulsipher prays in attic story for God to deliver Kirtland Saints.

Zerah Pulsipher, Autobiography, 8–9.

May 1838. Attempt is made to burn temple by throwing flaming straw through a window.

Joseph Smith Jr., Kirtland Revelations Book, 222. Zerah Pulsipher, Autobiography, 9–10. Shurtliff, Autobiography, 30–31.

1838. Nelson Slater starts a school in the temple—the Western Reserve Teachers’ Seminary. He uses temple for a year until thick, damp walls, high ceiling, long flights of stairs, and the difficulty of heating the building make it unsuitable. There is “much complaint of sickness,” and one woman’s death is blamed on cold caught in the temple.

Crary, Pioneer and Personal Reminiscences, 35.

Spring 1839. Crosby visits unoccupied temple. Fixtures, curtains, and seats seen “with astonishment, being so different from anything we had before seen.”

Jesse Crosby, Autobiography, 5–6.

November 10 and 17, 1839. Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and John Taylor preach at the temple and administer ordinances of anointing and washing of feet. On the evening of November 17, these ordinances are administered to John Taylor and Theodore Turley in the attic story of the temple.

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 57–58.

July 1840. Joseph Smith hopes that Oliver Granger will be able to free temple from financial “incumbrances.”

Joseph Smith Jr. to Granger, in PWJS, 490–91.

January 26, 1841. Joseph Smith is gratified to hear of Oliver Granger’s success in redeeming the temple and securing the keys. Advises him to hold those keys until Joseph himself arrives.

Joseph Smith Jr. to Granger, in PWJS, 475.

May 4, 1841. Joseph Smith writes concerning the temple mortgage and instructs Oliver Granger to maintain possession of the temple keys.

Joseph Smith Jr. to Granger, in PWJS, 494–95.

October 1841. Temple prepared for a bell.

Jenson, Journal History, October 19, 1841, 1–2.

June 9, 1844. Brigham Young preaches in the temple to unreceptive Saints.

Watson, Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 169.

July 1845. Sidney Rigdon preaches in the temple, attempting to win over the former followers of Joseph Smith and gain control of the building.

McBride to Young, 1–2.

September 1845. Apostates led by Jacob Bump break into temple and take possession of it.

Jenson, Church Chronology. Jenson, Journal History, October 22, 1845, 1.

December 1846. William E. McLellin’s Church of Christ holds services in temple.

Ensign of Liberty 1 (1847): 1, 14. Backman, Heavens Resound, 443.

1846–1848. Brigham Young decides to sell the temple in order to save it from vandalism and attack. Almon Babbitt is unable to carry out this assignment, probably because of Bump’s control over the building. A title to the temple is filed in the names of several trustees-in-trust for the Church and recorded in Painesville, Ohio.

Jenson, Journal History, April 27, 1846, 1; October 7, 1846, 1; January 7, 1847, 7; April 5, 1847, 1; January 12, 1848, 1.

June 1847. William E. McLellin has keys to temple. Lyman Omer Littlefield goes out on temple roof to see the view.

Littlefield, Reminiscences of Latter-day Saints, 192.

About 1850. Temple is used as a community hall. Patience Simonds Cowdery attends lectures in it.

Patience Cowdery, Diary.

Summer 1850. James Ryder, a traveling photographer, sets up studio in upper court.

Patience Cowdery, Diary.

1860. New roof is installed, the exterior woodwork is repainted, and a small RLDS congregation begins meeting in the temple.

“Kirtland Affairs,” November 22, 1860, 3. Edwards, History of the Reorganized Church 4:425.

1862. Russell Huntley buys the temple for $150.

Launius, Kirtland Temple, 104–5.

1866. By this date, much of the interior woodwork and ornamentation has been broken up and stripped by curiosity hunters.

Vida Smith, Young People’s History, 2:129.

1869. Martin Harris is “daily bearing testimony of the Book of Mormon to many who visited the Temple.” Temple keys are held by a Mr. Bond.

Gunnell, “Martin Harris,” 273.

August 1870. Temple in “dilapidated” condition when Martin Harris, who has been custodian, leaves Kirtland.

Pilkington, “Testimony,” 3–4.

1873. Huntley sells temple to Joseph Smith III and Mark Forscutt for $150.

Launius, “Joseph Smith III,” 112.

September 1874. Civic meeting held in the lower court and banquet in the upper court.

“Reunion in Kirtland,” 3.

1875. Joseph Smith III arrives in Kirtland to sell the temple to the township for use as a school and town hall. He is unable to sell it because there is no clear title.

Launius, “Joseph Smith III,” 112.

1880. RLDS Church obtains clear title to temple in court action.

Joseph Smith III, Autobiography.

1880s. Temple is too cold for winter services; the RLDS Church uses other facilities for its meetings during the winter months.

Prusha, History of Kirtland, 81. Launius, Kirtland Temple, 120.

1880s. Extensive restoration work performed by the RLDS Church.

Heman Smith, “Kirtland Temple,” 427. Kelley, “Report of Committee,” 560–61, 563; Kelley, “To the Saints,” 351–52. “Kirtland,” Painesville Telegraph, February 10, 1887, 3.

1899. Gas lights installed.

Edwards, History of the Reorganized Church, 5:472.

August 13, 1904. Lightning strikes the temple tower, damaging the belfry and roof.

Painesville Telegraph, August 18, 1904, 2.

1940s. RLDS Church makes changes to the tower, installs fire protection, and replaces the hanging lamps with fluorescent tube lighting.

“Kirtland Temple: Recent Architectural Changes,” 2. Ross to Curry.

1955. New cement finish applied to exterior walls.

Wellington, “Kirtland Temple Gets Face Lifting,” 687.

1959. Oil-burning furnace installed.

Yarrington, “Kirtland Temple Is Closed for Repairs,” 194; “Kirtland Temple Repairs Completed,” 698.

1977. Temple designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Park Service.

Certificate on file at Kirtland Temple Visitor’s Center.

March 5, 2024. Temple ownership purchased by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the Comunity of Christ along with other properties, manuscripts, and artifacts.

Joint statement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Community of Christ, March 5, 2024, https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/multimedia/file/Joint-Statement---Responsibility-and-Ownership-of-Sacred-Sites-and-Historic-Documents-Transfer-to-Church-of-Jesus-Christ.pdf.