Kirtland, Ohio

September 13, 2012

Kirtland Temple

A powerful spirit is evident in these historical sites. We first visited the Kirtland Temple which is owned by the “Community of Christ Church”, formally the Reorganized Church. I have taught about Kirtland to young seminary students and to Gospel Doctrine adults, but being there brought it all to life. To stand where I know that Moses, Elijah, Jesus Christ and others revealed precious truths to Joseph Smith and to Oliver Cowdery, was a very special time for me. Sadly, the tour guide didn’t mention these events, but I know they happened there and I am so glad to be able to visit the Kirtland Temple.

At the Whitney Store

We also visited the Whitney Store where in the upper room the School of the Prophets was held. The sister missionary guiding the tour called it the first MTC. Gave me cause to ponder. Downstairs, where the store looks the same as it must have looked in Joseph’s time there, we found a copy of the ledger of those who shopped there so many years ago. There on several pages was the name of Bill’s great grandfather, Nathan Cram Tenney. Fun things to experience in Kirtland. 

Morley Farm

A little ways out of town, we visited the Isaac Morley Farm. There we climbed a hill to the spot where Isaac constructed a school house for his and neighboring children. In that schoolhouse were held more meetings and on that property Joseph and Emma lived for a time and much work was accomplished there. We gathered a couple of “gratitude rocks” from the hill where the schoolhouse used to sit. I am grateful for Isaac Morley and for his constant charity to everyone he met. It was Isaac Morley who befriended my “gold seeking” great grandfather, William Black, as he landed in Salt Lake City in 1849 on his way to the Gold Rush in California. Because of Isaac Morley, William Black stayed in Salt Lake, never went on to California and joined the Church. He became like a son to Isaac Morley and took his name to become William Morley Black. I am forever indebted to Isaac Morley and the spirit on his farm says it all. It is Sacred Ground, indeed.

At the schoolhouse site, Morley Farm