The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ohio refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Ohio. The official church membership as a percentage of general population was 0.52% in 2014.[3] According to the 2014 Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life survey, roughly 1% of Ohioans self-identify themselves most closely with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[4] The LDS Church is the 14th largest denomination in Ohio.[5]
Stakes are located in Akron, Cincinnati (3), Cleveland, Columbus (4), Dayton (3), Hiram, Kirtland, Toledo, and Zanesville.
History
Membership in Ohio
Year
Membership
1983
26,028
1989*
37,000
1999
47,437
2009
57,918
2019
62,023
2024
65,809
*Membership was published as a rounded number. Source: Wendall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac State Information: Ohio[1]
Kirtland, Ohio, became LDS Church headquarters from 1831 to 1838 and at its peak, Kirtland was home to 3,200 members.[6][7]
In 1979, the Church acquired the Newel K. Whitney store, which is now a popular historic site.[6] About 100,000 people, mostly church members, visit the site annually and it was given a $15 million facelift to renovate and rebuild 10 buildings.[8]
Stakes
As of January 2025, the following stakes are located in Ohio or include parts of Ohio:[9][10][11]
As headquarters of the church from 1831 to 1838, there are a number of significant church historic sites in Ohio, many of which are in the northeastern part of the state. The church maintains and operates several historic sites in and near Kirtland, while several additional sites are either general locations or are owned by outside entities.
General sites
Amherst, community west of Cleveland where Parley P. Pratt joined the church in 1830 and later preached. A branch was established there in 1831. In January 1832, a church conference was held there and Doctrine & Covenants section 75 was received.[13]
Fairport Harbor, community north of Kirtland along Lake Erie that was a debarking point for many of the early church members moving to Ohio from western New York and other locations, as well as an embarking point for missionaries leaving the area.[13]
Kirtland
Kirtland Historic North Cemetery, owned and maintained by the city of Kirtland and located in between the Kirtland Temple and Joseph Smith properties. Many early church members are buried here.[13]
Stannard Quarry, located in the Chapin Forest Reservation and location where sandstone was quarried to build the Kirtland Temple[14]
Kirtland Camp Historical Marker near Dayton, a historical marker commemorating the 30-day encampment of the Kirtland Camp along the Mad River in 1838[15]
Orange Township, community southeast of Cleveland and southwest of Kirtland that was home to several early Saints and site of a church conference in 1831.[13]
Thompson Township, community east of Kirtland that was home to early settlers in 1831 including the relocated Colesville Branch.[13]
Church-owned sites
Historic Kirtland Village in Kirtland includes a mix of original and restored structures related to the early church activity in Kirtland during the 1830s. The church created a pedestrian village in 2002 by rerouting parts of two major roads around the area.
East Branch of the Chagrin River, site of many early baptisms of church members using ponds created by dams for water power
Historic Kirtland Visitors' Center
John Johnson Inn, replica of the 1820s building, rebuilt in 2002 on the original site. The original Johnson Inn, which was the first brick building in Kirtland, was purchased by the church in 1833 and was mainly used for lodging and offices and was managed by John Johnson. It burned down in 1915.
Joseph and Emma Smith Home, the mid-1830s home of Joseph and Emma Smith, purchased by the church in 2012 from Community of Christ and restored to its 1830s appearance in 2023.[16]
Kirtland Flats Schoolhouse, replica of 1819 schoolhouse rebuilt near its original location. The schoolhouse was used for public education and gatherings and church meetings
Newel K. and Elizabeth Ann Whitney Home, original 1824 home of Newel and Elizabeth Whitney, restored to its 1830s appearance
N. K. Whitney & Co. Store, original 1826 store of Newel K. Whitney, also used as a home of Joseph and Emma Smith during the early 1830s and for various church meetings, including the School of the Prophets
Sawmill and ashery, replicas of commercial enterprises used and operated by early church members, particularly Newel K. Whitney, both rebuilt in 2002 near their original sites.
John Johnson Farm near Hiram, original 1828 home of John and Elsa Johnson and also home to Joseph and Emma Smith from 1831-1832. It was purchased by the church in 1956 and restored to its original appearance in 2001.
Kirtland Temple and Visitors’ Center in Kirtland, original 1836 temple and the adjoining visitors' center, built by Community of Christ in 2007. Both properties were acquired by the church in 2024.
As of January 2025, the church operates one temple in the state of Ohio, the Columbus Ohio Temple, along with the Kirtland Temple, which is open to the public as a historic site. There are two additional temples planned for the state, with the Cleveland Ohio Temple, announced on April 3, 2022, by President Russell M. Nelson, under construction and the Cincinnati Ohio Temple, announced April 7, 2024, by President Russell M. Nelson.
The Columbus temple was dedicated September 4, 1999, by President Gordon B. Hinckley. It underwent extensive renovations from 2020 to 2023 and was rededicated by President M. Russell Ballard on June 3, 2023.[17]
The Kirtland Temple was used by the main body of the church from 1836 to 1838. Unlike current operating LDS temples, the Kirtland Temple was used primarily for religious meetings rather than ordinance work. At the time of construction, none of the ordinances associated with LDS temple worship, such as baptism by proxy, had been instituted. Operated by Community of Christ for over a century, the LDS Church acquired the Kirtland Temple in March 2024.[18][19] A contract between the two churches stipulates that it will remain open to the public for a minimum of 15 years and the LDS Church indicated they have plans to continue to keep it open as a historical site beyond the contractual years.[20]
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