The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased the historic Kirtland Temple, the first LDS temple built, along with other historic buildings and artifacts from the Community of Christ, another Latter-day Saint denomination. , both organizations announced in a joint statement. last week.
“Responsibility and ownership of the Kirtland Temple, several historic buildings in Nauvoo, and various manuscripts and artifacts have been officially transferred from the Community of Christ to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for an agreed upon amount. ” was announced on March 5th. Unsigned statement.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints paid $192.5 million to the Christian community “without assigning any specific value to the property or items,” the church’s website says.
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The Kirtland Temple is located in Kirtland, Ohio.
Another city of importance to adherents of the LDS faith, Nauvoo, is located in Illinois.
“Together, we share an interest in and respect for these historic sites and objects and are committed to preserving them for future generations,” the statement said, adding that the process behind the sale was announced in June 2021. He added that it has started.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has purchased the Kirtland Temple, the first LDS temple, from the Community of Christ as part of a nearly $200 million sale. (Val Brinkerhoff)
“This asset exchange is important to our church,” said Community of Christ President Stephen M. Veasey.
“Through funding from increased endowments, the Community of Christ will strengthen our ability to pursue our mission priorities around the world, including continuing to fulfill the God-designed purpose of the Independence Missouri Temple. We can make it even better.”
The Community of Christ, known until 2001 as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (RLDS), dates back to Joseph Smith’s founding of the Church of Christ in 1830, according to its website.
After Smith’s death, the RLDS believed that his eldest son, Joseph Smith III, rather than Brigham Young, would lead the Latter-day Saint movement.
“The Community of Christ will further enhance our ability to pursue our mission priorities around the world, including continuing to fulfill the divinely envisioned purpose of the Independence Missouri Temple.”
There are approximately 250,000 members of the Community of Christ worldwide, making it the second largest Latter-day Saint denomination, according to the group’s website.
“Joseph [Smith] III passed down to us the Kirtland Temple. The Nauvoo property is the property of the Smith family. The painting was from the Smith family. The New Bible came from the Smith family, and the Finney Bible also came from the Smith family,” Community of Christ Apostle Lachlan McKay said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
“So the proceeds from the sale are, in a sense, a very generous gift from them that will support us.” [financially] into the future,” McKay said.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints currently operates 188 dedicated temples. Another Latter-day Saint sect, the Community of Christ, operates a temple in Independence, Missouri. (Eva Hanbach/AFP via Getty Images)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, formerly known as the Mormon Church, expressed gratitude for the work the Christian community has done to maintain buildings and artifacts over the past century.
“We are honored to assume the stewardship of these sacred sites, documents, and artifacts,” President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in a statement.
“We would like to thank our friends at the Community of Christ for their great care and cooperation in preserving these historic treasures, and we intend to do the same.” he said.
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The Kirtland Temple, dedicated in 1836, is currently open for tours and is home to a “spiritual formation center,” according to its website.
There are no immediate plans to convert the Kirtland Temple into a modern-day The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said on its website.
The Book of Mormon is a religious document used by members of various Latter-day Saint denominations, including the Community of Christ. (Pascal Desroches/Godon/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The Kirtland Temple “remains a historic landmark,” and members of the Christian community will continue to have access to the building “for special meetings and gatherings for years to come.”
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints plans to reopen the church on March 25, 2024 and make it available for free public tours,” the group said.
“Similarly, in Nauvoo, the Smith Family Homestead, Mansion House, and Red Brick Store will also reopen on March 25, 2024, and offer free public tours throughout the year.”
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The Christian community said in a statement on its website that the sale was necessary to allow the church to continue its mission.
“The current and future needs of the church, combined with God’s continuing call to pursue the peace of Christ in all its aspects, create a compelling case for decisive action,” the Christian community said. Ta.
“The present and future needs of the Church, combined with God’s continuing call to pursue the peace of Christ in all things, create a compelling case for decisive action.”
“Leaders have come to understand that giving up these physical assets, while painful, will generate financial resources and will make a huge difference in their ability to cope with the future,” the group said. It became,” he said.
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The denomination’s ability to honor its history “does not depend on the ownership of property or objects,” the Community of Christ said.
“The Historic Sites Foundation continues to be a valued partner in telling and sharing the sacred stories of the Christian community. The shared memory of our past and an informed understanding of its meaning is the foundation of our courage. It will prepare you for the future.”
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