Joseph Smith's Kirtland: Eyewitness Accounts

by Karl Ricks Anderson

This book gives us a real flavor of life in Kirtland during the years the Latter-day Saints lived there. The author lets the people of that time speak to us through their personal journals, newspapers, and books. While the author does provide a brief introduction in order to give us context for each vignette, he let's us learn about the events and times directly from those who lived them. Mr. Anderson also provides us with illustrations, tables, and the inside covers have a map of the city from those times. There are also endnotes and a helpful index.

Genres: Religion, History, Nonfiction, Lds, Historical, Mormonism, Church

Paperback

First published August 1, 1989

Reviews

[Grace Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

such an enlightening read! most of the events described i had never heard of. many sacrifices = many blessings. God surely was with the saints.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This helped clear up things from early church history for me. Often I hear a story about Joseph Smith and jump to the conclusion that it happened in Nauvoo but many of these stories happened in Kirtland or the area around Kirtland. I loved the chapter about the Kirtland temple dedication, and also the chapter The Church Returns to Kirtland. Kirtland is a very special place and this book helped me realize the significance of the many revelations and sacrifices that prepared the saints for being leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and what he did still blesses my life today.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In our Sunday School class a few months ago, our teacher mentioned this book. I had never heard of it before and decided in July of this year to buy it. An excellent choice. At first I wondered how interesting it really would be. But I am so glad I bought and read it. So very interesting. I am a big fan of this book.

It tells of the experiences the Saints had while in Kirtland. I have visited this quaint little town and loved the area. Went through the temple and the stake center there. Elder Ballard and some other brethren were just coming out of a conference the day we went. Such a surprise to us. We went up and talked with him. Afterward, we went down to Hiram and took a tour of the John Johnson home and farm. It was all delightful.

So as I was reading this book, I was reminiscing. I learned so much more by reading this book about the area and the happenings going on. Also, the last chapter tells about the growth of the area since I've been there. So fascinating. For those who are interested in learning more about Kirtland and the early Saints here, I would suggest reading this book. And even if you aren't, read the book. I found it more interesting and enlightening than I thought it would be.

[Summer Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed this from a friend. I have always struggled with keeping church history events in order in my head and wanted a bit of a refresher.

Anderson organized his book by sections and ideas rather than time lined events. This would be helpful as a resource guide when teaching Sunday School, so I can see the reason he did it this way, but for me, I was hoping for something more chronological. He did point out some fascinating ideas on the Saints and why they went through the trials they did. By organizing it into different segments like Missionary work, the temple, school of the prophets, etc., he was able to connect different events to ideas. This was wonderful.

I will say there were bits that were a little superficial. He would say things like, "And then the mob dragged so and so to town square to be tarred and feathered. They then gave testimony." and then he wouldn't elaborate or go further in depth. The narrative would move on to something else. I did love the quotes he gave on some of the saints, but it did feel like there was much more to be found beneath the surface.

Again, this would be a brilliant resource guide for a teacher.

[Sandra Strange · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has been most helpful in my study of the LDS Doctrine and Covenants. It's well written, with enough of the details of this interesting, challenging, troubling and inspiring period of LDS history. The author uses eyewitness quotations liberally, but has a good sense of what is interesting, as well as informative. His treatment is definitely LDS in point of view, but still offers a well-researched, factual narrative very useful for we who are interested in our ancestors' challenges and achievements, their suffering and how they endured--or didn't.

[Randy Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

We purchased two books from the author (who autographed our copies) when we were in Kirtland Ohio in September 2016. I enjoyed this book very much. Well researched, a lot of history I was unaware of with an incredible amount of quotes from diaries of persons at the time event were taking place. Very enjoyable.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kirland, Ohio. It is loaded with primary sources and organized to tell the story in both an interesting and comprehensible way. Even though it is history, it engendered much discussion and was very enlightening.

[Cherie Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much. Definately a resource I will use again and again.

[Becky Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as his other book on Kirkland, although lots of quotes from different people

[Jamille Parks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative. I like his style of writing prose.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read if you're interested in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is incredible what these people accomplished with so little resource. I am amazed at their faith to be healed and their faith to walk hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read about the history.

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many interesting stories that I had not heard before. After just visiting Kirtland it was a wonderful read.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Loved the Book” I read this book because I wanted to understand the “Kirtland Period” of the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I was not disappointed as it is clear that the author Karl Anderson had thousands of hours of research involved in the writing of this book. I believe that this book must be the undisputed text for this period in church history.
I learned from the book that the Kirtland Temple was the First and most expensive structure ever built by the church based on the churches ability to pay at the time. Many of the brothers and sisters that sacrificed to build the Kirtland Temple gave everything that they had. It was certainly worth it to them! The year sounding the completion of the Temple was known at the time as the year of Pentecost and it could not have been a more glorious time for the church. During this period nearly one half of the Doctrine and Covenants was received by revelation and there were hundreds of people that witnessed appearances of heavenly persons including the savior himself on several occasions. Things were going so well for the church that many people believed that they could not be tempted and that the second coming was near. Within a couple of years the saints had gone from unimaginable bliss to the forced departure of their beloved homes and temple. The local economy was shattered as the result of the failure of their banking system and the failure of nearly 150 banks in the surrounding area. The area experienced runaway inflation of 800% in some cases. The members of the church fled for their lives during the middle of the winter in front of a vicious mob anxious for their murder and destruction.
The Kirtland temple is now owned by the Church of Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has re-established its presents in the area and has several chapels and a full time missionary effort in the area.

[Lesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the eyewitness accounts to this time period in the church. It helped me to understand the events that unfolded and how the Saints endured their economic problems and severe persecution from mobs inside and out of the church. It deeply saddened me that some church members put a price on their testimony.

Chaper 22:
On August 7, 1979 then serving as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Ezra Taft Benson broke ground for a meetinghouse in Kirtland, the first building of the Church to be built there since the temple was completed in 1836. While in Kirtland, President Benson declared, "The scourge that was placed upon the people in that prophecy (D&C 124;83) is being lifted today."

I visted Kirtland last year and it has been rebuilt. It is a beautiful little town which you know that it is sacred ground that you walk upon.

[goddess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but not a page turner. This book has some tidbits about Kirtland that I've never heard before. Karl Anderson is a known expert on Church history in Kirtland, Ohio, so this is definitely a good source. Anderson includes many first-hand accounts from people who walked and talked with the prophet. So not only do you learn new things about Kirtland but you gain more insight about Joseph Smith. Some of the chapters were more riveting than others; I will admit to skimming through some of the paragraphs in the one about the bank. But if you're a fan of history and want to learn more about the Church's successes and struggles during the Kirtland era, than this book should be added to your list.

[Terry Earley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anderson gives us an intimate glimpse into a pivotal and formative period in early Mormon history. He quotes extensively from first-hand witnesses to help us understand why these people sacrifices so much to built the strong foundation the Church currently enjoys.

There is much detail about the speculative fever which drove the local economy over the edge and about those sweet souls who continued to divide their food with others. Good and bad economic times bring out the best and worst in us all.

An enjoyable and informative read. I will add this one to my home library for reference.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took an entire pregnancy to finish this book because I just took one chapter at a time and really thought about the sacrifices the saints made and what life was like for those who lived here, right where I am now. I learned so much about the saints that isn't well known, or atleast I never knew about. Plus, knowing Karl, who wouldn't like anything he writes?

[Bryan Cottle · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who want a good look into the History of the LDS Church through the personal accounts of the early members of the church- this is the book. It only spans the seven years that the LDS church was located in Kirtland Ohio, but being that that is the least studied yet most eventful period of LDS history it is well worth the read. I have read it more than once!

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because I know Karl Anderson and his family and because I lived many years in the Kirtland, Ohio area. There is a rich history of the church that took place there and you can feel its spirit in the town itself. This is where the revelations flowed to the new church presidency. And where the church was tried.

[Cory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was recommended by a friend has make a career out of the life of Joseph Smith. Altogether about 250 pages and a very easy read. This gives me a whole new perspective on Kirtland and adds context to other sources of history regarding Joseph, Emma and the early church leaders. I rarely read anything that is not recommended and this book was every bit as good as the recommendation.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a few passages in this book that will stick in my memory for their honest glimpses at Joseph Smith's human goodness. It is full of accounts of people who never made it in to the Church History, whose accounts felt all the more valuable to me because they seemed to represent the unknown layperson's view of the Church and Joseph Smith during those dynamic Kirtland years.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars: While the book was full of faith-promoting events that I intend to share with others whom I believe can relate from this period in history, I found the editing/organization distracting...the compilation was jarring rather than flowing, and it took several months to finish since I often found myself unable to commit to more than a few paragraphs at a time.

[Krystine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing!! I had no idea how much happened in Kirtland, and this book did a wonderful job teaching me!!
This book is done so very well. The accounts in this book are all fascinating! The book is easy and clear, not complicated or hard to understand! You do not need to be a gospel scholar to enjoy this book. Any desire to learn about church history this is the book for you!!

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting compilation of eyewitness accounts about Joseph in Kirtland. I am excited to the read the Joesph Smith papers, as it will be a more comprehensive compliation of the writings of Joesph Smitha and will hopefully not have as much conjecture and speculation.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess I forgot to give this a star rating when I read it, so I am guessing. I do remember that I bought it in Kirtland then read it and really enjoyed reviewing and expounding on the Church history I had learned in Kirtland. There is a lot to absorb about that period that I had not remembered.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am on a "Senior Mission" with my husband in Kirtland OH. I enjoyed this book because it helped me understand better all that happened here in Kirtland OH in the 1830. Many great and glorious things took place here as well as the many trials the early Saints went through.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to visit Kirtland in October and got this book there. Having visited the sights the book references I thoroughly loved the stories recorded here. I feel I got a true sense of life here during the early years of LDS church history (1831-1838).

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read for me before going on a tour next October with some friends, visiting Vermont, New York, and Ohio. I enjoyed the book so much I want to read it again. I might want to buy it since the copy I just read was loaned to me.