The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bought the historic Kirtland Temple, the primary LDS temple constructed, together with different historic buildings and artifacts, from the Group of Christ, one other Latter Day Saint denomination, the 2 teams introduced in a joint assertion final week.
“The duty and possession for the Kirtland Temple, a number of historic buildings in Nauvoo, and varied manuscripts and artifacts formally transferred from Group of Christ to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for an agreed-upon quantity,” stated the March 5 assertion, which was unsigned.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints paid the Group of Christ $192.5 million “with out assigning particular values to the properties and objects,” stated its web site.
LDS CHURCH COMES OUT IN SUPPORT OF FEDERAL LAW PROTECTING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
The Kirtland Temple is positioned in Kirtland, Ohio.
Nauvoo, one other metropolis that’s essential to adherents of the LDS religion, is positioned in Illinois.
“Collectively, we share an curiosity in and reverence for these historic websites and objects and are dedicated to preserving them for future generations,” the assertion additionally famous, including that the method behind the sale started again in June 2021.
![kirtland temple picture](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/03/1200/675/04-Kirtland-Temple-Val-Brinkerhoff.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bought the Kirtland Temple, the primary LDS temple, from the Group of Christ as a part of a virtually $200 million sale. (Val Brinkerhoff)
“This alternate of property is critical for our church,” stated Stephen M. Veazey, president of Group of Christ.
“By way of funding from elevated endowments, Group of Christ may have larger capability to pursue our mission priorities around the globe, together with persevering with to satisfy the divinely envisioned functions for our Temple in Independence, Missouri.”
The Group of Christ, referred to as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS) till the yr 2001, dates again to Joseph Smith’s creation of the Church of Christ in 1830, its web site signifies.
Following Smith’s demise, the RLDS believed that his eldest son, Joseph Smith III, was to steer the Latter Day Saint motion, slightly than Brigham Younger.
“Group of Christ may have larger capability to pursue our mission priorities around the globe, together with persevering with to satisfy the divinely envisioned functions for our Temple in Independence, Missouri.”
There are about 250,000 members of the Group of Christ around the globe, says its web site, making it the second-largest Latter Day Saint denomination.
“Joseph [Smith] III conveyed Kirtland Temple to us. The Nauvoo properties are the Smith household properties. The work got here from the Smith household; the New Translation manuscripts got here from the Smith household, the Finney Bible got here from the Smith household,” stated Group of Christ Apostle Lachlan Mackay in a press release offered to Fox Information Digital.
“So the proceeds from the sale, at some stage, are an awfully beneficiant reward from them, that can maintain us [financially] into the longer term,” stated Mackay.
![Washington DC Temple](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/05/1200/675/GettyImages-1240078815.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presently operates 188 devoted temples. The Group of Christ, one other Latter Day Saint denomination, operates a temple in Independence, Missouri. (EVA HAMBACH/AFP through Getty Photos)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, previously referred to as Mormons, expressed gratitude for the work the Group of Christ did during the last century to take care of the buildings and artifacts.
“We’re deeply honored to imagine the stewardship of those sacred locations, paperwork and artifacts,” stated Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in a press release.
“We thank our associates at Group of Christ for his or her nice care and cooperation in preserving these historic treasures to date. We’re dedicated to doing the identical,” he stated.
AI WILL BE THE POLITICAL LEFT’S ‘SINGLE GREATEST WEAPON’ AGAINST RELIGIOUS FAITH AND TRUTH, SAYS EXPERT
The Kirtland Temple, devoted in 1836, is now open for excursions and is dwelling to the “Non secular Formation Heart,” says its web site.
There are not any quick plans to remodel the Kirtland Temple right into a modern-day LDS temple, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stated on its web site.
![Book of Mormon](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/06/1200/675/GettyImages-1487491953-e1685807061232.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
The E-book of Mormon is a non secular textual content utilized by members of varied Latter Day Saint denominations, together with the Group of Christ. (Pascal Deloche/Godong/Common Photos Group through Getty Photos)
The Kirtland Temple “will stay a historic constructing” and members of the Group of Christ will proceed to have entry to the constructing “for particular conferences and gatherings over the approaching years.”
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints plans to reopen it March 25, 2024, for public excursions at no cost,” the group stated.
“Likewise, in Nauvoo, the Smith Household Homestead, the Mansion Home, and the Crimson Brick Retailer can even reopen on March 25, 2024, for year-round public excursions at no cost.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
In a press release revealed by itself web site, the Group of Christ stated the sale was vital to permit for the church to proceed its ministry.
“The present and future wants of the church, coupled with discerning God’s persevering with name to pursue Christ’s peace in all its dimensions, created a compelling case for decisive motion,” stated the Group of Christ.
“The present and future wants of the church, coupled with discerning God’s persevering with name to pursue Christ’s peace in all its dimensions, created a compelling case for decisive motion.”
“Leaders got here to grasp that letting go of those bodily property — as painful because it was —would generate monetary assets that can make a big distinction in our potential to reply to that future,” the group stated.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The power to honor the denomination’s historical past “will not be depending on possession of properties or objects,” stated the Group of Christ.
“The Historic Websites Basis will proceed to be a valued companion in telling and sharing the sacred story of Group of Christ. A shared reminiscence of our previous and an knowledgeable understanding of its that means put together us to courageously transfer into the longer term.”
For extra Life-style articles, go to www.foxnews.com/way of life.