Kirtland Temple: Religious History Along I-80

Traveling across the United States on Interstate 80 allows one the opportunity to see a great many interesting sites. There are historical sites, natural sites, and even modern attractions. One of the more interesting places to stop is in Kirtland, Ohio. Kirtland is the site of a temple built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) between the years of 1833 and 1836. Also located in Kirtland is a small replica village, designed to look as the area near the temple looked during the time that the Latter-day Saints (although this village is actually located a couple of miles from the temple itself).

Kirtland is situated just to the east of Cleveland, and it is conveniently located right off the Interstate. Additionally, there are several hotels just off the exit, less than five miles from the temple. Cleveland is a good stop on a cross-country trip, and after you are done taking in the more “worldly” things Cleveland has to offer, you can stop and see this testament to dedication and spirituality on your way out of town (if you are traveling west to east).

The Latter-day Saints migrated to Kirtland after experiencing some trouble in the Palmyra, NY area, where the church originated. In Kirtland, they built their temple in order to hold special services and worship God. Great sacrifice went into building the temple. Men donated their time to quarry, shape, and place stone. The women donated upholstery for the temple, and cooked meals and mended clothing. Some of them even smashed valuable china to mix with the plaster so that the outer walls would sparkle in the sunlight. The Saints were relatively poor at this time, and the temple was a huge undertaking, men and women volunteering in shifts and working to support themselves at other times.

Today, the Kirtland temple is owned and operated by the Community of Christ. This group was originally named the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and formed after the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, the founder of the church. The RLDS faith organized itself around one of Smith’s sons instead of following Brigham Young to settle the Salt Lake Valley. In the 1990s the church changed its name. (The replica village is owned by the LDS church.) The Community of Christ offers tours year round, and interested persons can arrange for tours at the visitor center on near the temple. The Community asks a $2.00 preservation fee for tours, which are given by missionaries for the church. Special services and classes are still held in the temple today.

The Kirtland Temple is a recognized National Historic Landmark. Additionally, the structure has been recognized by The Architects Society of Ohio for its unique architectural influences. The building combines Gothic, Georgian, Federalist, and Greek styles to create a very interesting look.