“Let my servant Newel K. Whitney retain his store, or in other words, the store yet for a little season.” — Doctrine and Covenants 63:421
In April 1826, Newel K. Whitney purchased a quarter-acre lot in Kirtland, Ohio, at the corner of Chardon and Chillicothe roads, where he built a two-story, 1,500-square-foot white store. The mercantile store also functioned as the post office for Kirtland Mills and maintained a relatively large inventory for northeastern Ohio, later also supporting Gilbert and Whitney's store in Independence, Missouri.2
In January 1831, Joseph and Emma Smith moved from Fayette, New York, to Kirtland, Ohio, and their first stop was at the Newel K. Whitney Store. Joseph introduced himself to Whitney, whom he had never met before, by name and proclaimed, "You’ve prayed me here; now what do you want of me?"3
The Whitney Store quickly became a central hub for the early Church of Christ. Joseph Smith received revelations there, now published as Doctrine and Covenants as sections 88 and 893 (the latter of which is the Word of Wisdom).4 The upper room in the southeast corner functioned as an administrative and translation site, while the upper room in the northeast corner served as a council room and the location for the School of the Prophets. In addition to dictating revelations in these rooms, Joseph gave preparatory instruction for missionaries and worked on the translation of the Bible. The building also served as the bishop's storehouse.2
