Hello again, everyone! Huge news from the Church just now has just been shared by the Newsroom and the Church News: a multi-year cooperative effort between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Community of Christ has led to the transfer of ownership for the Kirtland Ohio Temple and other historic sites in Ohio and Nauvoo from the Community of Christ to our Church.
Among the acquisitions is the original Kirtland Ohio Temple, which will remain as a tourist and historic site. Other papers and sites are included in the deal. I will have a more in-depth analysis on this development later today, as I have other obligations to take care of first. For now, I will let the announcements speak for themselves and extend my thanks once again to you all.
(Added at around 3:00 PM) Hello again, everyone! Here's the additional analysis I promised about today's announcement. The Church and the Community of Christ leaders published an official statement and answers to Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs). The FAQ section shares the transfer of the following items from the Community of Christ to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
"The most significant properties are the Kirtland Temple, the Smith Family Homestead, the Mansion House, the Nauvoo House, and the Red Brick Store. Significant documents and artifacts include manuscripts and the Bible used in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, seven letters from Joseph Smith to his wife Emma, John Whitmer’s history of the Church, original portraits of Joseph and Emma Smith, the cornerstone of the Nauvoo House, the original door of Liberty Jail, and a document with the title of “Caractors,” which may contain a sample of inscriptions from the gold plates. (See the appendix for a more detailed list of items transferred.) (bold and italitc emphasis is mine).
I would just add a point of clarification here: In my report on the "Aging Church Leadership", I mentioned that the appointment of the first female prophet-president of the Community of Christ would not occur until next year, leaving that faith without a top leader in the interim. It appears that, at least at the time these items were transferred, current prophet-president Steven M. Veasey is still actively serving in that capacity as his health permits. So my point about the Community of Christ not having a top leader until next year was incorrect, and that part of my analysis was in error. I apologize for that oversight.
It is also worth noting that the Community of Christ will continue to coordinate with the Church for access to the temple and historic sites that were transferred to the Church today. The appendix to the FAQ shows a complete list of items purchased by the Church from the Community of Christ. This was a massive undertaking. The Community of Christ expressed gratitude to the Church, as this will free up many resources for the Community of Christ. And it appears that the sheer volume of what was transferred was the only reason it has taken so long.
I never thought I'd see this day come. But now that it has, I foresee a time when some portions of a future General Conference of the Church could originate from the Kirtland Temple or other historic sites in that area. The Church did hold portions of the April 1980 General Conference in the Palmyra New York area for the Church's sesquicentennial, which is why I say that. But that is no more and no less than my own theory, so unless and until the Church confirms that will happen at any point in the future, take it with the proverbial grain of salt.
I continue to monitor any and all Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples updates and will be sure to pass word of those along to you all as they cross my radar. In the meantime, that does it for now. All comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated on any post at any time, as long as the offered feedback is made per the established guidelines.
I hope any of you who would like to share anything will take your opportunity to “sound off” in the comments below. Please subscribe if you liked what you read here and would like to be informed of newly added posts and comments. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.
I'm trying to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming then I looked at the calendar to make sure that I didn't lose a month and it wasn't April fools this is exciting
ReplyDeleteChris, I was a little surprised as well. But it's comforting to me to know that the Church has never shared an official news release as an April Fool's Day joke. It is very exciting. Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts.
DeleteI first saw the announcement on Facebook, and had to double take my look before I saw the Facebook post came directly from "The Church News."
DeleteThat makes sense. Thanks for that additional context, Chris! I appreciate you!
DeleteOne thing I noticed is that the Smith Family Cemetery remains under the CoC's ownership. I'm sure that there is something within the contract requiring the Church to maintain the Kirtland Temple as an historic site for a minimum amount of time. The Temple does have some quite noticeable blemishes from the exterior, so I'm sure the Church will make plans in the future as an effort to restore and fortify the structure. I would imagine that his purchase opens the possibility of the Temple becoming a functioning one at some point in the future, but certainly not in the foreseeable one with the Cleveland Ohio Temple announced and the current statement saying the Temple will remain an historic site.
ReplyDeleteNoah, the FAQs on this announcement categorically state that the Church will not repurpose this as a functioning temple, and that the Community of Christ will still have access to all of the historic sites upon request. So that would make it impossible to have it as a functioning temple at any point. But I do believe the Church will make repairs and restorations to the temple as scheduling and resources allow. Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts. The Church specifically mentioned that the Cleveland Temple will function to serve Saints in the Kirtland area. So I think if the Church were to ever have a functioning temple in Kirtland, it would be a separate edifice from the historic one. Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts. I always appreciate hearing from you.
DeleteI am aware of the current plans not to repurpose the Kirtland Temple, but if plans were to be amended say 20-30 or so years from now, I'd imagine the first floor of the Temple would remain open to tourists and function as a small meetinghouse, while the upper floors and basement could be repurposed with careful renovations. It's definitely a bit of a stretch, but I don't think it is 100% impossible. It is certainly far more likely that the Far West Temple would be built than for the Kirtland Temple to be repurposed at some point. I do think we are at least 10 years off from seeing such announcement for Far West, but I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest to see it earlier with the way temples have been announced for the past several years.
DeleteMy understanding of the agreement between the Community of Christ and our Church as a condition of the sale is that no part or portion of the current edifice will every operate as a functioning temple for the Church. If I misread that in the release, joint statement, or the FAQ, please let me know. In the interim, I would say we're further than 10 years out on a Far West temple, but I'm the one that didn't see temple announcements for Russia, india, the PRC, and the Middle East as soon as they happend, so I could easily be wrong in my assessment about Far West. We'll have to see. Thanks again, Noah!
DeleteThe FAQs page on the CoC websites mentions a contractual agreement that spans 15 years. I wonder if that means we can possibly renovate to a functioning temple after that. But it also seems hint at keeping it open beyond the 15 years. https://cofchrist.org/faithfully-funding-our-future-frequently-asked-questions/
DeleteThanks, Chris! I linked to the Church Newsroom FAQs when updating this post, and those FAQs categorically state that there are no plans to use this as an operating temple of the Church. Thanks for sharing the information from the Community of Christ website. I appreciate that.
DeleteFrom the looks of it, the Smith Family Cemetery in Nauvoo and the Flournoy House in Independence are the last major historic sites owned by the Community of Christ.
ReplyDeleteAnother great observation, Noah! Thanks for pointing that out and for taking time to share your thoughts. I always appreciate hearing from you.
DeleteIn connection with today's historic announcement, the Church News has reviewed Church history timelines in Kirtland Ohio and Nauvoo Illinois. The Church News shares how to prepare for the upcoming April 2024 General Conference y reading a talk a day. The Church News podcast this week featured the Relief Society General Presidency in advance of the March 17 anniversray of the organizations founding and the devotional for all women in the Church. And two female General Officers recently ministered in the Caribean. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteOpen house reservations are now available for the Taylorsville Utah Temple, and Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke at today's BYU-Provo devotional. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAnd an upate has been noted on the Antofgasta Chile Temple. My thanks once again to you all.
Deletehttps://cofchrist.org/faithfully-funding-our-future-frequently-asked-questions/. CoC FAQs page
ReplyDeleteA more complete list of the items transferred in the sale: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/frequently-asked-questions-clarify-the-transfer-of-sacred-sites-and-historic-documents
ReplyDeleteChris, when I updated my post above, I was able to include links to the supplementary material from the Newsroom. I believe that included the FAQs, but either way, thanks for ensuring that everyone knew where to find that. You're awesome and I appreciate you!
DeleteI'm surprised at how extensive the list actually is. There are a lot of both historic and non historic properties.
ReplyDeleteHey, Chris! The list is quite extensive. But I am glad that the Church has acquired it all, especially since this acquisition will by extension bless the Community of Christ as well. I can definitely see the hand of the Lord in this, and I'm grateful I found out about it not long after it was reported. Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I always appreciate hearing from you.
DeleteOn this Wednesday, the Church News has shared 2 new reports related to RootsTech 2024. Young Men General President Steven J. Lund spoke to Provo MTC missionaries. And Elder D. Todd Christofferson ministered to 6 European nations in 12 days. Elder Christofferson met with the Mayor of Óbuda-Békásmegyer for the purpose of discussing the temple the Church will be building in Budapest. Hopefully that meeting will facilitate a speedy start to that temple's construction now that an exterior rendering has been released. And two international ambassadors recently visited Church headquarters. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteOn this Thursday, the number of new temple leaders announced in 2024 has doubled, with 16 couples' biographies shared today. Among those leaders are the first presidents and matrons for both the San Pedro Sula Honduras and Antofagasta Chile Temples. My list tracking new temple leaders now shows the 32 temples for which new leaders have been called; the Helsinki Finland Temple (new leaders for that one were called last year, but they have not yet been featured in the Church News); 12 new temples which are anticipated to be dedicated in the next 21 months or sooner; and now 41 currenty-operating temples. Of those 41 temples, 6 currently-serving couples had, have, or will have their service disrupted by renovations of their respective temples.
DeleteAs I've mentioned every time I share information about new temple or mission leaders, each couple has served individually or together in a wide range of callings in the Church. But the following particular notes may be of interest to some of you. Among the 16 incoming presidents, 1 is a current area seventy (Anthony M. Kaku); 1 is a temple presidency counselor and former area seventy (Ricardo Valladares); 1 is a temple sealer and former area seventy (M. Dirk Driscoll); 1 is an area auditor and former mission president; 1 is a former stake president; 1 is an institute teacher, patriarch, and temple sealer; 1 is a temple ordinance worker who formerly served in a misson presidency; 1 is a temple sealer and patriarch who formerly served in a temple presidency; 1 is a patriarch and former stake president; 1 is a stake high councilor and temple sealer who formerly served in a temple presidency; 1 is a branch presidency counselor and temple sealer who formerly served in a temple presidency; 1 is a temple sealer, teachers quorum specialist, and stake mission preparation leader; 1 is a temple sealer, self-reliance group facilitator, and a former mission president; 1 is a deacon's quorum adviser and temple ordinance worker; 1 is a temple ordinance worker, assistant temple recorder, and institute teacher; and 1 is a ward primary teacher and temple ordinance worker.
A new Church News report shares how preserving the Kirtland Ohio Temple points people to God. Community empowerment and water security is taking individuals in Central America from scarcity to abundance. An expanded temple garment factory in Paraguay has been dedicated by Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, with the president of Paraguay also in attendance.
From the Newsroom, Elder Roland J. Bäck, an area seventy and Second Counselor in the Middle East/Africa North Area, recently participated in an Georgia Senate for 95 years of "Music & the Spoken Word" and the Choir's recent collaboration with Morehouse and Spelman Colleges' Glee Clubs. My thanks once again to you all.
The Newsroom also reported on Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson celebrating international Women's Day, which is today. In addition, the Church News shared a summary of the Newsroom article about the Georgia Senate honoring the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and a new family history video. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Friday, the Church News has shared a couple new reports. 8 new mission leader couples have been called. They have served, individually and together, in a wide range of Church assignments. Among the 8 incoming presidents, 1 is a bishop and former area seventy (Adonay S. Obando); 1 is an Elders' Quorum service coordinator and temple worker, who formerly served as an area seventy (Kenneth J. Firmage); 1 is a temple ordinance worker and former stake president; 1 is a young men adviser and former stake president; 2 are former stake presidency counselors (1 of whom is a Sunday School teacher);1 is an Elders' Quorum presidency counselor and institute teacher; and 1 (along with his wife) is a Church service missionary at BYU.
ReplyDeleteA Friend-to-Friend event for Primary children will be held in March, and the Church News has shared how to watch it. The event will feature the Primary General Presidency (President Susan H. Porter and Sisters Amy A. Wright and Tracy Y. Browning) and President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency. The Newsroom reported on the International Congress on Families in Mexico. And the Church of Jesus Christ Temples site has reported that construction is officially underway for the Kaohsiung Taiwan Temple. My thanks once again to you all.
The First Presidency has announced the parameters for the April 2024 General Conference: 5 general sessions for all members.The Church News also shared an article about how Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson marked International Women's Day, and has shared the latest edition of "This Week on Social".
DeleteIn the newest installment in that ongoing series, the following Church leaders had content featured: Acting President Jeffrey R. Holland and Elders Dieter F. Uchtdorf, D. Todd Christofferson, and Neil L. Andersen (with 2 posts from Elder Uchtdorf), all of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; the entire Relief Society General Presidency (President Camille N. Johnson and Sisters J. Anette Dennis and Kristin M. Yee, via a joint post on "Relief Society Worldwide"); Sister Tamara W. Runia, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency (via "Young Women Worldwide"); Sisters Amy A. Wright and Tracy Y. Browning, the respective First and Second Counselors in the Primary General Presidency; and Young Men General President Steven J. Lund. My thanks once again to you all.
One additional report has been shared by the Church News. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAnd the Newsroom has shared one new report as well. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Saturday, it is almost 12:30 PM in San Luis Potosi Mexico, so I assume that the groundbreaking of the temple in that city took place as scheduled this morning. In the interim, the Church News has shared a few new reports thus far today. Church News editor Sister Sarah Jane Weaver shares a lesson she learned from Relief Society sisters in Belgium. Another article provides more information about next Sunday's Relief Society devotional. 3 Muslim BYU basketball players are preparing to observe the month of Ramadan.And the Friend-to-Friend event for children (which featured President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, and the Primary General Presidency) also went live this morning. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Mexico Area's temple page has the video of the San Luis Potosi Mexico Temple groundbreaking, so I can confirm that has taken place. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteStatus updates have been noted today on the Phnom Penh Cambodia, Pago Pago American Samoa, and Kaohsiung Taiwan Temples. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News has shared two new reports. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAnd status updates have additionally been shared for the Grand Junction Colorado and Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAnd here's another report from the Church News. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAn update has been reported on the Anchorage Alaska Temple. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Sabbath Day, the Church News has shared a few new updates: The U.S. Army's Chief of Chaplains recently met with Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and GA Seventies Elders Ahmad S. Corbitt and Matthew L. Carpenter. 17 stake presidencies have recently been reorganized. Elder Kyle S. McKay, a General Authority Seventy serving as Church Historian and Recorder, shard aditional context into the Church's purchase of the Kirtland Temple from the Community of Christ.
ReplyDeleteThe top 9 developments of this last week (including the purchase of the Kirtland Temple but excluding the other temple news announced Monday) were summarized in the latest edition of "In Case You Missed It: Week in Review". This week's "Come Follow Me" study focuses on 2 Nephi 26-30. See what Church leaders have taught about those chapters. And the recently-concluded RootsTech included a Q&A session with General Authority Seventies serving in the Family History Department, including Executive Director Elder Kevin S. Hamilton and his Assistant Executive Directors, Elders K. Brett Nattress, Jorge M. Alvarado, and Randall K. Bennett.
Elder Kearon also took to social media to share his greetings for Ramadan with Muslims around the world. My thanks once again to you all.
And updates have been noted today on the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Grand Junction Colorado Temples. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Monday, the media day is being held for the Manti Utah Temple, with VIP tours following the next couple of days, and the formal open house beginning on Thursday. A couple of observations on this reported development: the presiding apostle for the April 14 rededication has still not been identified. Also, I do not believe this update will be the major temple construction update for the day, so updates on other temples may be announced during the 2:00 PM hour MDT today. I have a generic version of a post covering that update set to publish at the top of that hour, and will update it with details as that announcement is made. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteThe Church News has shared one additional report. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteI wanted to add a comment: Since the Church hasn't said who will preside at the Manti Utah Temple rededication yet, it occurs to me that perhaps President Nelson is planning to do that one himself. If so, that could explain why a single evening rededicatory session has been set. To be clear, that is just a theory, and it very well could be wrong. So unless and until that is officially confirmed, corrected, or clarified, take it with a grain of salt. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAlso, I was reminded that the media day for the Urdaneta Philippines Temple will occur tomorrow. But I still anticipate a major temple construction announcement unrelated to Manti or Urdaneta during the 2:00 PM hour today. My thanks once again to you all.
Delete