Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once taught that Heavenly Father placed a bright star in precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration of the Savior’s birth.
In similar fashion, the remarkable revelatory events of the Restoration in Kirtland, Ohio, were also divinely orchestrated, said Karl Ricks Anderson, a historian, author and former leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ohio.
“When one talks about the importance of Kirtland, I think the events of the unfolding of God’s Church from the beginning, all of that was planned out and the date set for the appearance of the Savior, Moses, Elias and Elijah to be on April 3 of 1836,” he said.
“In a sense, Kirtland is a pinnacle in our dispensation, because before they could come, we had to have the Church formed. We had to have the Book of Mormon. We had to have the priesthoods restored, and everything since Kirtland has been implementing those keys that came.”
Anderson reflected on the events and miracles of the Kirtland era in an episode of the Church News podcast.
After earning a graduate degree from the University of Utah in 1966, Anderson’s career led him to Cleveland, Ohio, where he became a key figure in the Church. He served as a stake president, regional representative and patriarch, among other callings, and was instrumental in developing friendships with Community of Christ and reestablishing the Church in Kirtland, including the Historic Kirtland village.
Anderson is sometimes referred to as “Mr. Kirtland” because of his love, research and writing on the Kirtland era of Church history.
Anderson and his wife, Joyce, lived in Ohio for close to 50 years before recently moving to Utah.
“The circumstances that brought us to Kirtland, I think, were divinely led,” he said.
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Karl Ricks Anderson sits in the John and Elsa Johnson Home near Kirtland, Ohio, around the year 2017. Photo provided by Karl Ricks Anderson, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.
Why Kirtland Matters
Kirtland, Ohio, was the first gathering place and headquarters of the Church from 1831 to 1838. During this period, many significant events took place:
All of the priesthood offices found in the Church today were revealed.
About one-half of the revelations recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants were revealed, far more than any other location, and the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants was printed.
The School of the Prophets started as part of an educational period for Latter-day Saint leaders.
Joseph Smith Jr. made his Bible translation and largely translated the Pearl of Great Price.
More heavenly manifestations occurred there than any other place. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared or were seen in vision four times, and the Savior was seen at least six more times by Joseph Smith.
The Church’s first temple was built and heavenly messengers restored significant keys.
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A tour is given of the Kirtland Temple in Kirtland, Ohio, on Monday, March 25, 2024. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2025 Deseret News Publishing Company.
“Joseph Smith said it was a pentecostal period, in other words, spiritual manifestations, and we had most spiritual manifestations in Kirtland than any other period in our Church history,” Anderson said. “More of the Savior’s direct words went to the world from Kirtland more than anywhere in any other period in the history of the world.”
Another miracle of Kirtland were the members, mainly farmers and working-class individuals, but intelligent and devoted to the Lord and His Prophet.
“They gave everything they had to establish the Church,” Anderson said. “They suffered persecution. They knew it was the Savior’s Church and work, or they wouldn’t have gone through all of the persecution. They literally sacrificed everything going from state to state, following Joseph.”
Returning to Kirtland
The Church’s return to Kirtland took years. Anderson shared one memorable experience of waking up one morning with the spiritual prompting that it was time to inquire about the status of the Johnson Inn, a historic property.
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From left, President Gordon B. Hinckley, President Ezra Taft Benson and historian Karl Ricks Anderson on August 25, 1984. Photo provided by Karl Ricks Anderson, courtesy of Church News. All rights reserved.Download Photo
Anderson did so, and his inspired inquiry resulted in acquiring the property. The process repeated itself with other structures and culminated with the dedication of Historic Kirtland Village by President Gordon B. Hinckley in 2003.
“The Lord opened up each step,” he said. “I was blessed to be part of each one of those and see it. ... The key players were all the brethren who were following the inspiration of the Lord.”
Testimony
Anderson will soon be 88 years old. Half a century of life experiences in Kirtland, including the privilege of working with five Church presidents, and Church history study have solidified his testimony.
“I know He lives because I know His voice and I have felt His presence,” he said. “All the experiences reconfirm what I knew as a boy — that it is the Lord’s work, Joseph was a Prophet, and it is a privilege for us to work in helping build the kingdom.”
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