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Preserving & Sharing Church Heritage

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Explore Community of Christ History With Us


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April 6 Program: History of the Church Seal
Join us this April 6th for the 193rd anniversary of the founding of Community of Christ. Our online program will feature a fascinating presentation by Andrew Bolton exploring the nearly 150 year history behind the Community of Christ's beloved peace seal. A highlight of the program will be the visual exhibition of diverse art, color, and design variations through the lens of history and today's global community. The title of Andrew Bolton's presentation is the "History of the Church Seal: War, Peace, and Visual Theology." The online program will take place on Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 pm (Central). For additional details and to register, click the blue button below. 
click here to Register for the April 6th Program

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An Evening with the Historians
Join us this February as we host three historians and hear the stories behind their books. The 2023 winter book series will explore two new books, Method Infinite: Freemasonry and the Mormon Restoration, and Your Sister in the Gospel: The Life of Jane Manning James, A Nineteenth-Century Black Mormon. The evening lectures will take place on Thursday evenings this February 16 and 23. Click the button below to learn more about this exciting winter series and to register for the two online programs.
click here to learn more about the Winter Series

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Image features a group of women in Onset, Massachusetts. Courtesy of Community of Christ Archives
A New Church History Tour for the New Year!
Join Barb Walden and Peter Smith as they take to the road on an 11-day tour exploring the historic places and stories behind the remarkable women in Community of Christ history. Experience the past through the eyes of those who once lived in Kirtland, Nauvoo, Plano, and Lamoni. This exciting journey will also include the diverse stories of women throughout United States history as we trace the historic steps of Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Mother Ann Lee, Ellen G. White, and more. For more information about the October 2023 historic sites tour and pricing details, click the box below to reserve your seat today!
click here to learn more about the 2023 tour

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Preservation in action at Community of Christ historic sites (clockwise from top left) Kirtland Temple, Mansion House, Plano Stone Church, and Liberty Hall.
Double Your Donation this Giving Tuesday
The First $8,000 in gifts received on Giving Tuesday will be DOUBLED by our board of directors!
Make a difference this Giving Tuesday (November 29) with a gift to the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation. Give on November 29 and make twice the impact in preserving the past and inspiring the future. Your generous donation will help fund the preservation and maintenance efforts at Community of Christ Historic Sites, support young adult internships, and continue endless educational programs focused on sharing Community of Christ history. Click the "Double My Donation" button below to make your online donation nd truly make a difference today! 
Double My Donation!
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Elvira Eliza Field dressed as Charley Douglass (image courtesy of Clarke Historical Library)

​Lecture Postponed to Spring 2023
"Charley's a Gal": James Jesse Strang's First Plural Wife Elvira Eliza Field with Amy DeRogatis
We regret that the November 3 lecture with Dr. Amy DeRogatis is postponed due to COVID. We wish those impacted by this virus plenty of rest and time to heal over the coming weeks. We look forward to welcoming Amy DeRogatis and hearing all about Elvira Eliza Field (and Charley Douglass) next spring.   

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Click Here to view the Lecture

"The Story of Gadfield Elm Chapel" 

Join our friends from The British Isles Latter Day Saint History Association as they welcome Bernard Haw as he presents, "Gadfield Elms, Worcestershire: The Oldest Chapel in Latter Day Saintism." Located deep in the countryside of Worcestershire, Gadfield Elms is a lovely historic Latter Day Saint chapel. It was originally owned by the United Brethren, a group that came from the Primitive Methodists and had a membership of about 600 members. Nearly all were baptized in the 1840s by Apostle Wilford Woodruff and other early Latter Day Saint missionaries. Hear more of this story of early mission and the oldest chapel in all of Latter Day Saintism in this fascinating lecture with Brian Haw. The live lecture was recorded on Friday 28 October 2022.

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New Series: "Stories of the Scattered Saints"

Join us this October13 - November 17 as we explore the stories behind the "Scattered Saints." Hear the fascinating tale of Elvira Eliza Field, enjoy the artistic talents of Sutcliffe Maudsley, learn about what attracted converts to James Strang's Beaver Island, and understand what made William Bickerton start his own Latter Day Saint denomination after following Brigham Young and Sidney Rigdon. The "Stories of the Scattered Saints" online lecture series is free, but you must register. Click the button below to learn more about this exciting series and to register for the weekly lectures. 
Click Here for more details about the online lecture series

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View the 2022 Joseph Smith III Peace Lecture

The video recording from Gwendolyn Hawks-Blue's 2022 lecture, "Black Americans in Community of Christ: A Journey of Hope," is now available. The 2022 annual peace lecture took place online on Sunday, September 18. We encourage you to take the time to view the video and learn more about this important piece of Community of Christ history. Individuals featured in the photo collage to the left include (clockwise from top left): Amy Robbins, William T. Blue, George Graves, Pauline Frisby, William Fuller, and Richard Hawks. Be sure to view the video lecture to learn more about these six significant individuals.
Click Here to view the 2022 Joseph Smith III Peace Lecture

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Summer Series Extended to August 3!

August 3: Hidden Things Shall Come to Light: The Visual Image of Joseph Smith Jr
Join Ron Romig and Lachlan Mackay as they explore the history behind an 1840s daguerreotype tucked away inside a locket that was passed down through the women of the Smith family. Ron and Lach will uncover the story behind the historic artifact and the evidence leading to their conclusion that the image inside the locket is that of Joseph Smith, Jr. ​
click here to view the lecture video from August 3, 2022

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Summer Series: July 7-28

The story of the Community of Christ continues to be shared every day at our church historic sites, however, not everyone can travel to the historic sites to experience church history in person. Fortunately, you don't have to travel long distances to take a tour. Our Summer Series will take you on a virtual adventure exploring a new historic site each week including: Kirtland Temple, Joseph Smith Historic Site, Plano stone church, and Liberty Hall. Join Lachlan Mackay and Barb Walden this summer as they share the fascinating stories, architectural details, historic people, and powerful lessons behind Community of Christ historic sites. The weekly programs take place every Thursday evening in July beginning at 7:00 pm (Central Time). Summer series is free, but you must register. Click the button below to learn more about this exciting series and to register for the weekly virtual tours. 
Click Here to register for the Summer Series

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Baptism for the Dead and Community of Christ History

Join Lachlan Mackay and Carla Long as they explore Community of Christ's historic connections to baptism for the dead. Learn about the individuals who helped shape the early church views on proxy baptism, the influencers in the Reorganization who moved the faith community away from the practice, and the pivotal role Community of Christ members in Zaire played in the late 20th century that continues to impact Community of Christ today. 
Click Here to view the program

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Join Us for the Spring Lecture Series

Join us this spring as we explore art, story, and identity found in Community of Christ history. From the diverse art featured in the historic RLDS preaching charts to the stories behind the women who founded the Lamoni Mite Society and the theological construction of RLDS identity, this online series has it all! For additional details about the lectures and to register for any and/or all eight lectures, click the button below. 
Click Here to Learn more about the Spring Lecture Series

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Church History in the Making: Ukraine Service

Join our friends from Community Connections as they gather in worship, prayer, and discussion centered on current events in Ukraine. The online gathering features Andrii Ivaniienko, from Ukraine, sharing his journey and other Community of Christ members' experiences in the midst of war in Ukraine. Apostle Richard James shares the wider context of the war including the history of Community of Christ in Ukraine. Kerstin Jeske shares in the opening prayer in German and English from Oslo. Kerstin shared in the first baptisms in Ukraine in the 1980s. The program ends with a Q&A session.
Click Here to view the Program

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Click Here to view the Lecture

"The Art and Story of Sutcliffe Maudsley" 

Join our friends from the British Isles Latter Day Saint History Association as they explore the life and story of the 19th century painter, Sutcliffe Maudsley. Maudsley began working in a Lancashire cotton mill at the age of 6. Later, using his artistic talents, he became a calico pattern maker and designer. He joined the church, was ordained a priest and served in the Tottington Branch, north of Manchester. With wife Elizabeth and children, he emigrated to Nauvoo in February 1842. There he used his artistic talents to do profile portraits of leading families in Nauvoo, including Joseph and Emma Smith. After Nauvoo, Maudsley joined Community of Christ. His moving story belongs to all of us either side of the Atlantic and to all Latter Day Saints. 

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Church History Winter Book Series

Join us this winter season as we read and discuss two books that explore the unique people and stories behind Kirtland and Nauvoo. Joining us for the discussion are the two historians behind the books: Scott Esplin and Mark Staker. Our online discussions will take place on Thursday evenings this February 17 and March 17 beginning at 7:00 p.m. (Central Standard Time). Click the button below o learn more about this exciting winter series and to register for both online discussions. 
Click Here for Winter Series Details and Registration

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History Webinar: Sacred Spaces

Sacred space is a BIG idea in Latter Day Saints, and common ground between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Community of Christ. Both have temple traditions and extend the idea of sacred space to include other places, including historic sites. Join Katherine Hill, Peter Trebilcock, and Sue Norton as they explore two places: Dunfield House Retreat Centre and the Preston Temple. This online program was hosted by our friends at the British Isles Latter Day Saint History Association on January 28, 2022. Click the blue button below to view the lecture.  
Click Here to View the Lecture

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The Turning Point: From RLDS to Community of Christ

If you love a good story, be sure to join Richard Howard (Community of Christ historian emeritus) and Carla Long as they discuss three pivotal moments in Community of Christ history. In the history of any organization, there are turning points that set the course of its future. Listen to Richard and Carla as they take us on a journey to surprising moments that continue to shape Community of Christ's present and future. 
Click Here to View "The Turning Point"

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Christmas Day Connections in Church History (Online Lecture)

Join Andrew Bolton and Peter Fagg as they share about Christmas Day connections in church history. Hear stories of the first British conference of the church held at the Cockpit in Preston on Christmas Day in 1837. Learn about the first conference held by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Denmark in 1851. Finally, you will hear the story of the first conference of the Reorganization, held on Boxing Day, in Merthyr Tydfil in 1863. It's a holiday history program you don't want to miss!
Click Here to view the Dec. 10 Program

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"Church History Without Boundaries" Online Lecture Series

The popular lecture series from 2020 is back for another exciting exploration of Community of Christ's global history. The new series will feature church history from Australia, France, Japan, Germany, England, and Wales. The storytellers featured in the series are not only great speakers, many of the special guests reside in the regions featured in their lecture. The weekly online programs will take place every Thursday from October 7 - November 18. Lecture times vary to accommodate the guest speakers' time zone.
Click Here to Learn More and Register for the Online Lectures

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Hear the Stories Behind Three Exceptional Women

Wendy Eaton, administrative assistant at the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation, recently sat down with Karin Peter to share the stories of Emmeline Griswold Smith, Bertha Madison Smith, and Ada Clark Smith. All three of these women were married to Joseph Smith III (not at the same time) and left a lasting legacy in Community of Christ history. Wendy highlights the stories behind Emmeline, Bertha, and Ada in a wonderful series hosted by Karin Peter and the Project Zion Podcast. Click the button below to hear the stories behind these three uniquely gifted women.  
Click Here to Listen to Emmeline Griswold Smith's story
Click Here to Listen to Bertha Madison Smith's story
Click Here to Listen to Ada Clark Smith's story

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The British Isles Latter Day Saint History Association Lecture

Our friends from The British Isles Latter Day Saint History Association hosted their second online lecture on Friday, September 24. Guest speaker, Pete Gaffney, presented "Socialism, Chartism and Mormonism: Re-evaluating Latter Day Saint Conversion in England, 1837-1850." Click the button below to view a recording of the online program. To learn more about The British Isles Latter Day Saint History Association, we encourage you to contact Andrew Bolton. 
Click Here to View the Lecture

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Sing the Sacred Story Anytime of the Year!

Did you miss the Heritage Day hymn service on September 19? Have no fear, the recording is here! Join us anytime of the year as we sing Community of Christ's sacred story with our friends from the Beyond the Walls choir and the Toronto Centre Place. In addition, our generous friends from the Toronto congregation have extended a $1,000 matching pledge for any donations given in response to Heritage Day 2021. Please consider helping preserve church heritage with a donation today. 
Click Here to view the heritage hymn festival
Click Here to Make a Donation

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Annual Joseph Smith III Peace Lecture

Our friends from Liberty Hall Historic Site hosted their annual Joseph Smith III Peace Lecture on Sunday, September 19, 2021. The guest speaker, Jim Doty, shared a few of his favorite stories related to the life and legacy of Joseph Smith III. Jim Doty's presentation was called, "My Friend, Joseph." Click the button below to view this year's online program. 
Click Here to view the 2021 Joseph Smith III Peace Lecture

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Online Church History Lectures

All of the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation's online church history lectures in one easy place! Click the button below to see our full collection of twenty-five lectures from the 2020 Summer Series through the Spring 2021 season.
Click Here to Explore Our lecture Collection

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Hear the Story of Emmeline Griswold Smith

Wendy Eaton recently sat down with Karin Peter at the Project Zion Podcast to share the story behind Emmeline Griswold Smith, Joseph Smith III's first wife. Wendy's interview is the first in a three part series focusing on the fascinating stories behind the three women who married Joseph Smith III. Click the button below to download the interview. You won't regret it! 
Click Here to listen to the interview

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The British Isles Latter Day Saint History Association 

Our friends from The British Isles Latter Day Saint History Association kicked off their inaugural event on Friday, July 30. For those who may have missed the online program, Early Latter Day Saint Missions in Lancashire, Midlands, and Herefordshire - Appeal and Growth, 1837-1841, you can view the video recording by clicking the button below. To learn more about The British Isles Latter Day Saint History Association, we encourage you to contact Andrew Bolton. 
Click Here to View the Inaugural Online Event

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"From a Warlike People to Considering Nonviolence" 

If you missed the Community of Christ history class with Lachlan Mackay and Stassi Cramm, have no fear, the recording is here! Click on the blue button below to view the class,  "From a Warlike People to Considering Nonviolence." This online church history class was hosted by our friends at the Salt Lake City Community of Christ congregation on Sunday, August 1. 
Click Here to View

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Summer Book Series & Discussion Group

Join us this summer as we read and discuss four books exploring the unique people and places found in Community of Christ history. This online gathering is meant to be an open and engaging discussion with the authors and your fellow church history enthusiasts. Selected books include: Kingdom of Nauvoo by Benjamin Park, Joseph Smith for President by Spencer McBride, Kirtland Temple: The Biography of a Shared Mormon Space by David Howlett, and Apostle of the Poor: The Life and Work of Missionary and Humanitarian Charles D. Neff by Matthew Bolton. Each of the weekly discussions begin at 7:00 p.m. (Central Time). Seating is limited, be sure to register and save your online seat today! Follow the button below for additional details and to register.  
click here for details

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The Annual Emma Smith Hymn Festival

Did you miss this year's Emma Smith Hymn Festival? Don't worry, the evening program was recorded for all to enjoy. Click the button below to sing along with the Beyond the Walls choir in this exciting online hymn festival. Donations from the special event go to preserving and maintaining the Community of Christ historic sites that help share Emma Smith's life and legacy. 
Click Here to view the hymn festival

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Spring 2021 Lecture Series

Did you miss one of the online lectures from the "20th Century 'Movers and Shakers in Community of Christ History" series? Don't worry, video recordings from the spring lecture series are now available! Hear about the challenges faced by William T. Blue, the globalization of the church led by Charles Neff, the unique life story of Alice Smith Edwards, and so much more! Donations received from the online lectures will go to support the ongoing preservation and maintenance of Community of Christ historic sites.
click here to view the spring series lectures

Interview with Richard Howard

Captivated by the Netflix docuseries, "Murder Among the Mormons?" Discover Community of Christ (formerly RLDS) own connections to the forgeries of Mark Hofmann. Listen in as Carla Long speaks with Richard Howard, historian for Community of Christ, about his personal experience with Mark Hoffman. Howard recounts meeting Hofmann and securing the Joseph Smith III Blessing document in exchange for a valuable Book of Commandments. Click on the video (appearing on the left side of the page) to view the interview with Richard Howard.

Kirtland Christmas Eve Service  

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Miss the Christmas Eve Service?

A recording of the Kirtland Temple Christmas Eve service is now available for you to enjoy all year long. The 2020 service was an online service that included guests and participants from all over the world. The special service was led by the Toronto Centre Place and the talented singers from the Beyond the Walls choir. Click the button below to view the unique service. 
Click here to view the Christmas Eve Service

Autumn Lecture Series (2020) 

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Lecture Recordings Are Now Available!

Did you miss one of the online lectures from the "Church History Without Boundaries" Autumn Lecture Series? Don't worry, we have you covered!  Click the button below to hear our guest historians explore the history behind Community of Christ in Nigeria, Korea, India, Canada, England, and the Holy Land. It's truly a journey around the world through the pages of church history!
Click here to view the latest lecture series

Summer Lecture Series (2020) 

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Summer Lectures Are Now Available!

Our Summer Lecture Series may have ended on August 13, but we are pleased to announce the lectures were successfully recorded and all nine programs are available for you to view anytime of the year! The Summer Lecture Series explored a variety of topics from church history all the while raising funds for the ongoing preservation and maintenance of Community of Christ historic sites. The 8-week lecture series (June 25 - August 13) provided unique opportunities to discover the latest historical research from those who have dedicated years of their lives to interpreting the people and places of the past. Choose one of the nine lectures, or view all of the online programs from the comfort of your own computer screen. One only needs to "click" the blue button below to select the lecture you wish to view today!
click here to select a lecture

Emma Smith Hymn Festival (2020)

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View Last Year's Hymn Festival Today!

Did you miss the July 10, 2020 Emma Smith Hymn Festival? Don't worry, the evening program was recorded for all to enjoy. Click the button below to learn more about this annual event and to view the online hymn festival. Donations from the special event go to preserving and maintaining the Community of Christ historic sites that help share Emma Smith's life and legacy. 
click here to Learn more

S I T E S   &   P R O J E C T S

Visit the Historic Sites

Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation supports preserving and sharing Community of Christ historic sites with present and future generations.
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Kirtland
Nestled in the charming hills of northeastern Ohio, this "House of the Lord" stands as a vivid reminder that Kirtland  was once home to some of the 19th century's most successful community builders. Inspired by the beliefs and practices of the earliest Christians, followers of Joseph Smith Jr. gathered in Kirtland and built their first temple between 1833 and 1836. The Kirtland Temple stood at the center of community life for more than 2,000 believers by 1838. Within a year, all but 100 were gone. The Kirtland Temple is a National Historic Landmark.
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Nauvoo
The Joseph Smith Historic Site preserves the properties and memories of Joseph Smith Jr., founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, his father, Joseph Smith Sr., and son, Joseph Smith III. The site houses many original structures from the 1840s, as well as the Smith Family Cemetery, final resting place of Joseph and Emma Smith, Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith, and numerous other family members and friends. The Joseph Smith Historic Site is part of the Nauvoo National Historic Landmark District. 
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Lamoni
Members of the church founded Lamoni, Iowa, in 1870 as a Zionic community. In 1881 Joseph Smith III and his family moved here and the town became the church's headquarters. Their home, named Liberty Hall, became a center of social and religious life for the community.
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Plano
The Plano Stone Church in Plano, Illinois, was completed and dedicated in November 1868 and was the home congregation of church president Joseph Smith III from 1868 until 1881, serving as denominational headquarters.
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Independence
Heritage Plaza, located near the Temple complex in Independence, Missouri, preserves three historic buildings, including the F.M. Smith Study, originally built in the early 1830s, and the 1826 Jones H. Flournoy Home. 

T E A C H   &   L E A R N

Educational Resources

The Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation has compiled a library of educational resources to bring church history to life for your family, your congregation, or your reunion.
Find out more

D O N A T E   &   S U P P O R T

How You Can Contribute

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Make a Donation
We invite you to make a generous donation towards preserving the treasured historic sites for future generations.
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Help Fund an Intern
The Alma Blair Internship Program at the Community of Christ historic sites is a summer program supporting young adult education since the early 1970s.
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Explore Other Giving Options
Beyond gifts of cash, there are many additional ways to support the work of the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation.

Latest News

Go to News Page

Women's History Tour 

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A Story to Tell: Women in Community of Christ History October 5-15, 2020
Find Out More

S T A Y   I N   T O U C H

Our E-Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive email updates on all the latest news from the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation.
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T E S T I M O N I A L

President Stephen M. Veazey

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We are aware the church’s historic sites’ impact extends far beyond members and friends of this church. Up to 45,000 people from different Latter Day Saints traditions and the public-at-large visit the Kirtland Temple each year. They are enriched by what they learn and experience.

We view key historic sites as a special stewardship of the church. I encourage church members, families, and friends to make the historical sites part of your spiritual formation and to support the work of Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation.

— Kirtland Temple Visitor Center Dedication, March 27, 2011

Community of Christ
Historic Sites Foundation

PO Box 338
Nauvoo IL 62354
217-453-2246

info@historicsitesfoundation.org
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Kirtland Temple
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  • Latest News
    • Latest News
    • Women's History Tour
    • Winter 2023 Book Series
    • Church History Lectures
  • We Are All Storytellers
  • Historic Sites
    • Kirtland Temple
    • Joseph Smith Historic Site
    • Liberty Hall
    • Plano Stone Church
    • Heritage Plaza
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