“I will not that my servant Frederick G. Williams should sell his farm, for I, the Lord, will to retain a strong hold in the land of Kirtland, for the space of five years, in the which I will not overthrow the wicked, that thereby I may save some.” — Doctrine and Covenants 64:211
Kirtland was established in northeastern Ohio in 18112 and was named after Judge Turnhand Kirtland (sometimes seen as "Turhand").3 Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, and Ziba Peterson first preached there in November 1830 on their way to Missouri.4
In December 1830, the Lord instructed Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to gather the Saints in Kirtland. Despite concerns about leaving prosperous farms in New York, a revelation promised greater riches and spiritual blessings in Ohio.5 The Saints, led by Joseph’s family, Newel Knight, and others, began preparations for the journey, sacrificing to ensure even the poorer Saints could travel.6
Kirtland saw rapid growth as the Saints arrived, with the population of Latter-day Saints increasing from 55 in 1830 to about 2,000 by 1838.2 The gathering in Kirtland laid the groundwork for the Church’s development, including receiving God’s law and the construction of the first temple. It acted as one of the Church’s gathering places until 1838.2
