Church historians reflect on the spiritual significance of the historic Kirtland Temple, other sites, artifacts

<p>The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2024/03/05/church-purchases-kirtland-temple-historic-buildings-artifacts-community-of-christ/">purchased the Kirtland Temple</a> — the first temple built in this dispensation — from Community of Christ, leaders of both faiths <a href="https://media.deseret.com/media/misc/pdf/church-news/general/2024-03-05-Joint-Statement.pdf">announced Tuesday, March 5, 2024</a>. This episode of the Church News podcast features <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/8/12/23294170/church-historian-and-recorder-elder-kyle-s-mckay-church-history-strengthen-faith-questions/">Elder Kyle S. McKay</a><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/kyle-s-mckay?lang=eng">,</a> General Authority Seventy and <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2022/8/12/23294170/church-historian-and-recorder-elder-kyle-s-mckay-church-history-strengthen-faith-questions/">Church historian and recorder</a>, and <a href="https://rsc.byu.edu/author/grow-matthew-j#:~:text=Grow-,Matthew%20J.,Papers%20when%20this%20was%20written">historian Matt Grow</a>, <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/7/5/23218849/episode-91-pioneer-day-managing-director-church-history-department-matt-grow-importance-of-celebrati/">managing director</a> of the<a href="https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng"> Church History Department</a>, discussing the historic purchase, which also included landmark buildings and other artifacts. Of the purchase, <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2018/1/16/23213417/getting-to-know-president-russell-m-nelson-of-the-first-presidency">President Russell M. Nelson</a> declared, “We are deeply honored to assume the stewardship of these sacred places, documents and artifacts.” </p> <p>The Kirtland Temple will remain a historic building and will not be converted into an operating Latter-day Saint temple, according to the <a href="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/frequently-asked-questions-clarify-the-transfer-of-sacred-sites-and-historic-documents">question-and-answer statement</a> released by the Church. The Kirtland Temple, as well as the other historic buildings — all in Nauvoo — closed March 5 to facilitate the transfer of ownership and will reopen to the public on March 25. “We are deeply grateful for what [Community of Christ] has done over the decades, for well over a century, to care for the <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/kirtland-temple?lang=eng">Kirtland Temple</a>, to care for the properties in Nauvoo, to care for these manuscripts and artifacts,” said Grow.</p> <p><a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/podcast">The Church News Podcast</a> is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a> across the globe. Host <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/author/sarahdeseretnews-com">Sarah Jane Weaver</a>, reporter and executive editor for <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/">The Church News</a> for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by <a href="https://kellieannhalvo.com/">KellieAnn Halvorsen</a>.</p>