LDS Church buys Kirtland temple, other historic buildings, from Community of Christ

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bought the historic Kirtland Temple, the primary LDS temple constructed, together with other historic buildings and artifacts, from the Community of Christ, one other Latter Day Saint denomination, the 2 teams introduced in a joint assertion final week.

“The responsibility and ownership for the Kirtland Temple, several historic buildings in Nauvoo, and various manuscripts and artifacts officially transferred from Community of Christ to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for an agreed-upon amount,” mentioned the March 5 assertion, which was unsigned. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints paid the Community of Christ $192.5 million “without assigning specific values to the properties and items,” mentioned its web site.

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The Kirtland Temple is situated in Kirtland, Ohio. 

Nauvoo, one other metropolis that’s necessary to adherents of the LDS religion, is situated in Illinois. 

“Together, we share an interest in and reverence for these historic sites and items and are committed to preserving them for future generations,” the assertion additionally famous, including that the method behind the sale started again in June 2021. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bought the Kirtland Temple, the primary LDS temple, from the Community of Christ as half of a virtually $200 million sale. (Val Brinkerhoff)

“This exchange of assets is significant for our church,” mentioned Stephen M. Veazey, president of Community of Christ. 

“Through funding from increased endowments, Community of Christ will have greater capacity to pursue our mission priorities around the world, including continuing to fulfill the divinely envisioned purposes for our Temple in Independence, Missouri.” 

The Community of Christ, referred to as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS) till the yr 2001, dates again to Joseph Smith’s creation of the Church of Christ in 1830, its web site signifies. 

Following Smith’s loss of life, the RLDS believed that his eldest son, Joseph Smith III, was to steer the Latter Day Saint motion, slightly than Brigham Young. 

“Community of Christ will have greater capacity to pursue our mission priorities around the world, including continuing to fulfill the divinely envisioned purposes for our Temple in Independence, Missouri.”

There are about 250,000 members of the Community of Christ around the globe, says its web site, making it the second-largest Latter Day Saint denomination. 

“Joseph [Smith] III conveyed Kirtland Temple to us. The Nauvoo properties are the Smith family properties. The paintings came from the Smith family; the New Translation manuscripts came from the Smith family, the Finney Bible came from the Smith family,” mentioned Community of Christ Apostle Lachlan Mackay in a press release supplied to Fox News Digital. 

“So the proceeds from the sale, at some level, are an extraordinarily generous gift from them, that will sustain us [financially] into the future,” mentioned Mackay. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presently operates 188 devoted temples. The Community of Christ, one other Latter Day Saint denomination, operates a temple in Independence, Missouri.  (EVA HAMBACH/AFP by way of Getty Images)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, previously referred to as Mormons, expressed gratitude for the work the Community of Christ did over the past century to keep up the buildings and artifacts. 

“We are deeply honored to assume the stewardship of these sacred places, documents and artifacts,” mentioned Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in a press release. 

 “We thank our friends at Community of Christ for their great care and cooperation in preserving these historical treasures thus far. We are committed to doing the same,” he mentioned. 

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The Kirtland Temple, devoted in 1836, is now open for excursions and is residence to the “Spiritual Formation Center,” says its web site. 

There aren’t any rapid plans to rework the Kirtland Temple right into a modern-day LDS temple, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mentioned on its web site. 

The Book of Mormon is a spiritual textual content utilized by members of varied Latter Day Saint denominations, together with the Community of Christ. (Pascal Deloche/Godong/Universal Images Group by way of Getty Images)

The Kirtland Temple “will remain a historic building” and members of the Community of Christ will proceed to have entry to the constructing “for special meetings and gatherings over the coming years.” 

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints plans to reopen it March 25, 2024, for public tours at no charge,” the group mentioned. 

“Likewise, in Nauvoo, the Smith Family Homestead, the Mansion House, and the Red Brick Store will also reopen on March 25, 2024, for year-round public tours at no charge.” 

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In a press release revealed by itself web site, the Community of Christ mentioned the sale was essential to permit for the church to proceed its ministry. 

“The current and future needs of the church, coupled with discerning God’s continuing call to pursue Christ’s peace in all its dimensions, created a compelling case for decisive action,” mentioned the Community of Christ. 

“The current and future needs of the church, coupled with discerning God’s continuing call to pursue Christ’s peace in all its dimensions, created a compelling case for decisive action.”

“Leaders came to understand that letting go of these physical assets — as painful as it was —would generate financial resources that will make a significant difference in our ability to respond to that future,” the group mentioned. 

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The means to honor the denomination’s historical past “is not dependent on ownership of properties or items,” mentioned the Community of Christ. 

“The Historic Sites Foundation will continue to be a valued partner in telling and sharing the sacred story of Community of Christ. A shared memory of our past and an informed understanding of its meaning prepare us to courageously move into the future.”

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