Elder McKay Explains Why the Church Purchased the Kirtland Temple

[@jhonnymark1]

What a turn of events, no?! This historical building is back in the hands of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! This is truly a historical event!!

[@Gwen-x6d]

The C of C still had the Temple when I was there. Happy to hear of the sale.

[@loudogg73]

I have no problem whatsoever with the purchase of this building and other artifacts. Humanitarian work is wonderful and is certainly something that Christ wants us all to engage in. However, the church is far more than a charity. The church's primary mission is to bring people unto Christ. 😊

[@CarolsCurrentObsession]

Well said!

[@llamalinguist3250]

☝️ THIS! ☝️

[@JewelAnderson-br6jy]

❤

[@MrElmoCA]

Our history is necessary to keep and share. Well worth the cost. God will prevail.

[@GreatRemembrance]

I have zero concerns about the cost of this temple. Our history is priceless and faithful members with a testimony of tithing know why some things have a high worldly cost. It was more than worth it to have our temple back.

[@pensadorcebr]

We must buy every place related to the restauration. It is our history and faith. We must preserve that places and teach new generations from where we came from. I am a member of the church from Brazil!

[@IntoAllTruth.]

Just contemplating the Savior's appearance in Kirtland stirs the most sublime feelings in my soul and the Spirit whispers to me: It is true.❤

[@MyFireVideos]

Thank you for being forthright about the dollar amount spent on this purchase and the reason. I am a happy tithe payer.

[@MrDJS444]

Whether one believes the Church's claims regarding the events of April 3, 1836 or not (I most certainly do), I think one must acknowledge that, for the Church and its members who believe that the claimed events did in fact happen, the Kirtland Temple is a most sacred and holy place. And, therefore, priceless.

[@VaLynne1]

I would have added a heart to your comment if possible. It is beautifully said. And I too believe 100% that what Joseph, Oliver, and other members of the Church witnessed both on the day of dedication, March 27, 1836 and the day of Passover, April 3, 1836 when Elijah the Prophet, The Savior, and others restored keys of sealing power and other ordinances, that had been prophesied, did in actuality occur as the Saints proclaimed.

[@matthewdelafuente6933]

I am so grateful for the priesthood keys that were restored in this temple!

[@amynazza]

So glad these sacred spaces are being preserved. 🥰

[@kevinfrancis4255]

So amazing! I had the honor of serving my mission in the area back in 1990. There is spirit that prevails there that is undeniable.

[@njohnson3331]

I had the good fortune of seeing the Kirtland Temple recently. It was an unforgettable experience for me.

[@BradKandyCroftFamily]

How wonderful that we get to keep this shared legacy alive after the Community of Christ. I hope we all can come together in this shared part of our histories and that the blessings of these buildings continued upkeep can be felt by all.

[@jlglover4592]

How could we not buy it? I'm just glad the funds were available through faithful members paying tithes and offerings. The cost is nothing in comparison to the knowledge and keys received that day.

[@alaskanmohican5674]

Here in Alaska many of the Native peoples are trying to recover their history, much of which has been lost for a variety of reasons, but regaining a historical artifact or location helps to restore their culture, part of their identity. The Kirtland Temple and other items are a part of our history, and our culture as members of the Church. The temple is where the Savior stood, I believe we have a responsibility of stewardship over these sites, both to preserve the history and our culture, and also to provide a living reminder of the divine event that took place there.

[@aashtonk]

I was so excited when I read about it! When my kids are a bit older I can’t wait to take them to Kirkland and see what the church has done with these sites. This is exactly why I pay tithing so the Lord can build temples and in this case preserve them.

[@regularjoep]

I'm grateful that the church spent the funds to acquire this historic temple were many sacred events happened.

[@blainerobertson9532]

Thank you. I agree. While the church does what it can to help those in need physically, its mission is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and the message of the ongoing restoration. This very much includes the visitation of the Savior and ancient prophets to restore key elements of the gospel to bring salvation to all of God's children.

[@anlomalachieastman7825]

Spiritual values are eternal,It worth it,Am excited about this temple going back to Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

[@zionmama150]

The money they paid Community of Christ will go to humanitarian aid… why would people get so upset about that? It helped another church!

[@VaLynne1]

Besides The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has spent over 1 billion dollars a year the last few years on humanitarian aid. And that is not to mention the millions of dollars spent to help people get an education through the Pathway World program that people would not be able to get without that program. I also know (because my husband and I served a mission as Education Specialists in a third world country) that there are programs to help children be education grades kindergarten through grade 12 in countries where the government cannot afford to educate the youth there like our children get here in the USA. I do not understand why people feel the Church needs to spend more on humanity when other than the Catholic Church there really isn't any other Church that spends as much as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does on humanitarian efforts across the world.

[@Musashi-ry3tg]

This fact truly has touched by the spirit and teared my eyes 🙏🥲❤️😊

[@skipandersen]

Let God prevail!!!!!! I love His church!!!!

[@thekolobsociety]

We love you, Elder McKay! Tell Chris and Jen hi for me --Elder Carroll

[@canadianmormarchist]

Its the history of the restoration and of the church thats justification enough for me

[@robertjohnstevens]

Priceless

[@lawrenceokon4960]

So humbling 😊

[@michaelcrowley9008]

Thanks for sharing 😊

[@BaBumz]

I can't wait to go there someday

[@davidsradioroom9678]

It was worth every penny.

[@i2rtw]

Worth every penny.

[@blancasofoifa2250]

I can’t wait to go and see!!! Money it’s only that money

[@mattctr]

Glad to have it back. Now, let's get Joseph back to lead the redemption of Zion, reveal the sealed portion, lay out inheritances in New Jerusalem, etc.

[@VaLynne1]

That will all happen as the Saints become worthy to receive those blessings.

[@barbaraneville9056]

Wow! I vote for that!

[@21halvie]

Can’t wait to see it

[@vidaeamorsonetados9440]

Excellent!

[@jakedyrland5443]

Good morning everyone!!!🩷

[@Kimberlinakay]

Thanks for fixing the title!

[@davidtop8989]

Why would the church pay such an amount to purchase this building? Because it is not just a building to them, but a temple. They also believe everything that occurred with Jesus and his disciples on the mount of Transfiguration also occurred in the Kirkland Temple. And while we do not have a complete record of all that happened on the mount of transfiguration, we do have a complete record of events in the Kirkland Temple. More significant than Easter Sunday, it was recorded that these events also occurred on the day of the Jewish Passover (Pesach). April 3rd, 1836 is one of the few moments where Pesach and Easter Sunday overlapped. On the day of Passover, those in the Jewish community set a table for the prophet Elijah's return. In the book of Malachi 4:5-6, in reads: "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." The Latter-Day Saints believe this promise was at least partially fulfilled with the appearance of Elijah in the Kirkland Temple to bestow the Keys of authority needed to the work of redemption for those who have passed from this earth without a knowledge of Jesus Christ's Gospel in the temples today. (I say "partially" because I believe that either Elijah or the Lord himself will come to the Jews directly one day to present this gift). When the rest of Christianity says, "I don't know what happens to non-believers after death," or the "non-believers go to hell," the LDS point to what happened at Kirkland and to what is happening in their temples today testifying that everyone will the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Savior. The temples are a standing testament to a Heavenly Fathers eternal love for all his children on earth, whether they know him or not. Also, this was the edifice where they believe Moses appeared to bestow the keys of authority necessary for the spiritual and physical gathering of Israel (missionary work). Is it any wonder that one of these missionaries, Parley P. Pratt was sent to the Holy Land to dedicate it for the physical gathering of the Jewish people? To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, this building is a big deal.

[@MegWasHere2011]

Marvelous

[@laynekoyle9272]

Do you know who the artists are who did the paintings at the 1:23 mark and the 2:00 min mark?

[@stevenleslie8557]

Walter Rane is the artist of the first. Gary E Smith is the artist of the second You should be able to find links online to find their works

[@lovetoflylovetofly3843]

Love it!

[@bheer98]

Love it. Also, you might want to check the title of the video.

[@Anspen34]

Great reason

[@MatuaIeremia]

True church on the earth.

[@franzfleischer3476]

Glorious! Can anyone explain what the letters, P.M.H., on the pulpits mean? Thanks.

[@fransmith8360]

Presiding Melchizedek High Priesthood

[@wilmarmalapitan9872]

❤

[@jaybravo2199]

I wish The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had kept in the old tour guides. They replaced them with volunteer missionaries who know little more than the bulleted facts on a guide card. The previous guides employed by the Church of Christ knew so much about the building, its history and beyond.

[@markfisher9094]

That's only partially accurate. I was there 6 years ago. The COC does not acknowledge or mention the most important events that happened in this temple and that was Christ returning and the other key prophets of old that followed Him with administering their keys on to Joseph. The "old guard" would be useless at this point.

[@VaLynne1]

You are misguided in your understanding of what the Missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are telling of the history of Kirtland Temple. I am not sure why you said they tell little more than the bulleted facts on a guide card, because I am sure you have never seen a missionary at the Kirtland Temple use a card since they don't use them. First off the Community of Christ, who did do a wonderful job of telling the physical part of the history, that part of the tour truly has not changed, we still hear ALL the physical history of the building told very beautifully. But then the Community of Christ was unable to get anyone to tell even the physical history because they could not pay the guides. I have been to the Kirtland Temple many times while under the direction of the Community of Christ, they did do a good job of telling the physical part of the building and of course always let those who came to see the Temple sing the hymn, "The Spirit of God." I have been 4 times since COVID. The first time I went after COVID when everything in Kirtland and across the USA was again open to the public. I was saddened that we were unable to go into the Kirtland temple because they had no one who was willing to be guides, since the Community of Christ could no longer pay anyone to give tours. I have been three times since that first time after COVID. Twice I was able to go on tour in the Temple because volunteer Return Senior Missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (they had served missions and were finished with their mission) were the guides. They of course did have to sign wavers that they would only tell the partial history the paid Community of Christ guides had told and not the full history of that Temple, but they did not use guide cards even when under the direction of the Community of Christ! We did of course still pay the fee, but the guides were volunteer so Community of Christ was able to continue maintenance and upkeep of the Temple grounds and building. The last time I was there was 2 weeks ago, on June 4, 2024. (I live over 1600 miles from Kirtland in Wyoming so can't go as often as I would like) We not only heard ALL of the physical history as told by the Community of Christ guides, as well as The Church of Jesus Christ volunteer guides, who had served there under restrictions, that I had always heard, we also got to hear and see where events happened that the Community of Christ never mentioned. Of course the tour is now free of charge, and it is longer because the history is more complete. It was never going to be "bulleted facts." That would have been too cold in a house as sacred as the Kirtland Temple.

[@CatchTheBuzz1]

​@@VaLynne1 Thank you very much for taking so much time to share these experiences and this knowledge and clarification

[@leonorbanez56]

If we truly believe that Jesus appeared in this temple, (which I do) it is definitely a holy place. This is a very important part of the history of our church, even a very important part of the entire history of Christianity. The Catholics would memorialize places where Mary appeared. Would it not be right and necessary for us to memorialize this place as well where the Savior appeared? I support the decision of the church leaders to purchase this property and be brought back under the care of The Church of Jesus Christ of LDS.

[@haroldtakahashi8875]

💛...

[@rodneyjohnson4056]

I say it's money well spent. Praise god

[@timchecketts6454]

Missing the word "church" in the title.

[@amh9641]

👏🏻

[@sidhayes6168]

Who owned and sold it ?

[@Avalikia]

It was owned by the Community of Christ, which is the church that separated itself from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints back when Joseph Smith was martyred. Most of the members of the church at the time recognized Brigham Young as the church's new leader and followed him west to Utah, while some of those who did not instead believed that Joseph Smith's son (Joseph Smith III) was the correct successor for his father. Because they never went west they were able to hang onto and/or obtain several historical sites and artifacts that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints did not. It's my understanding that they've recently been facing some financial strains, but the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has not. And they knew that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has always wanted it, would take excellent care of it, and some agreements were made about making sure that they'd still have access to the building, so the sale works out to be a win/win for all sides.

[@waynemcaurthur8026]

priceless!

[@marioferrari8374]

❤

[@lanceleavitt7472]

As it should be. -- Money is becoming less and less valuable. --

[@BromanWes]

One of the earliest sites of Joseph's BS. I can understand why it's worth so much.

[@shantel4960]

❤