Church History Locations
Joseph and Emma Smith Home
The Joseph and Emma Smith Home was the residence of the Smith family for just over four years. As you step inside, you’ll gain a glimpse into the daily life of the young prophet and his wife. It was in this very home that five revelations now included in the Doctrine and Covenants were received, and where the translation of the Book of Abraham took place. Additionally, the home was the site of the organization of the Church’s first High Priesthood quorum.
The home underwent careful restoration and was dedicated by Elder David A. Bednar in 2023.
A guided tour of the home takes approximately 30 minutes and is fully wheelchair accessible. The home is located half a mile uphill from Historic Kirtland and just 100 yards downhill from the Kirtland Temple.
Winter Hours (October 1st - April 30th):
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Summer Hours (May 1st – September 30th):
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Reservations are not required. For larger groups, we recommend calling ahead to make arrangements.
The Joseph and Emma Smith home is located at 8980 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland, Ohio 44094
Historic Johnson Home in Hiram, Ohio
After living with the Morley’s, Joseph and Emma Smith moved to Hiram, Ohio, where they stayed with John and Elsa Johnson. The Johnson home became a significant place of conversion, revelation, Church administration, and unwavering devotion amid adversity. This historic home has been thoughtfully restored to reflect the period when Joseph and Emma resided there.
Located southeast of Historic Kirtland, the Johnson home is about a 45-minute drive away. A full tour typically takes 30 minutes to an hour, but if you're pressed for time, missionaries are happy to tailor the tour to suit your schedule.
Winter Hours (October 1st - April 30th):
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Summer Hours (May 1st – September 30th):
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Reservations are not required. For larger groups, we recommend calling ahead to make arrangements.
The John & Elsa Johnson home is located at 6203 Pioneer Trail, Hiram Ohio, 44234
Kirtland Temple
The Kirtland Temple, built in the late 1830s, served as a sacred space for worship, learning, and community for Latter-day Saints in Kirtland. This 15,000-square-foot building, dedicated on March 27, 1836, has been meticulously preserved by the Community of Christ. In March 2024, the care and stewardship of the temple were transferred to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Kirtland Temple is open for guided tours, which begin at the Kirtland Temple Visitors Center, located just south of the temple. Tours are offered every half hour.
Winter Hours (October 1st - April 30th):
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Summer Hours (May 1st – September 30th):
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Reservations are not required, though tour groups are limited to 26 people. For larger groups, we recommend calling ahead to make arrangements.
The tour takes visitors up 3 floors (88 steps) and is not wheelchair accessible. Historic Kirtland missionaries do offer an alternative tour for those who might have difficulty climbing steps.
Tours last 40 minutes, most visitors spend one to two hours visiting the Kirtland Temple. The Temple is located at 9020 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland, Ohio 44094
Historic Kirtland
Your visit to Historic Kirtland begins at the Visitors’ Center, where friendly missionaries will welcome you. Start your experience by watching a 24-minute film about the early Latter-day Saints in Kirtland, followed by a guided tour of the area’s historic buildings.
If you choose the full tour, you will explore key sites, including Newel K. Whitney’s store, the Whitney family home, a sawmill, an ashery, and the Johnson Inn. These locations are significant not only for their historical value but also as places where Joseph Smith received revelations and where the early Saints came together to build the temple.
A typical tour lasts approximately 1½ hours, but if you're short on time, the missionaries are happy to customize the experience to fit your schedule.
Winter Hours (October 1st - April 30th):
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Summer Hours (May 1st – September 30th):
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Reservations are not required. For larger groups, we recommend calling ahead to make arrangements.
The Historic Kirtland Village is located at 7800 Kirtland Chardon Road, Kirtland, Ohio 44094
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