Kirtland, Ohio
The Temple at Kirtland, Ohio, was the first temple the followers of Joseph Smith built. It stands today as it has for nearly 170 years. It was remodeled inside at an early date, but is essentially the same now as it has been for many, many years. It has never been used for anything but religious purposes, although nowadays it is not used regularly except as a monument to the early Mormons.
Photography is not allowed inside, of course, so I cannot show you that. However, I will say that it is plain, with only one room on each floor, with a dias at each end; each floor can be divided into four nearly identical rooms with curtains. When it was used regularly for religious purposes, those purposes were mainly educational, not ceremonial. The meanings of some of the inscriptions on the walls have been lost.
I thought it was interesting that the name of the organization was "Church of the Latter Day Saints" as none of today's Mormon organizations is named exactly that. But then, organizations do change their names, and it has been a long time.
The followers of Joseph Smith have always built well -- "We build for permanence" a guide once told me. Many of the early Mormons were highly skilled craftsmen.
Photos and text
©D.L. Mark 2002
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