The proper name of the group known as Mormons is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They have played a large part in the development of Salt Lake City, the state of Utah and other states in the southwest. Their story is one of many trials and tribulations. It started in the spring of 1820 as Joseph Smith, Jr. questioned his religious beliefs and those of others.
Joseph Smith came to believe that he was chosen by God to establish Christ’s Church. According to Mormon traditions, Smith was led by God to an ancient record that he was to translate into English and use along with the Bible to spread his beliefs. On April 6, 1830, in Fayette, New York, he formally organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and became the church’s first prophet. He wrote the “Book of Mormon” as a guild for the people of his beliefs.
Persecution because of perceived commercial, political and religious threats to their neighbors led the Mormons to continuously move to the west. They built their temples, did missionary work and built thriving cities, but were always on the move towards the west, until finding the Salt Lake where they built a city , today known as Salt Lake City.
One of the stops on the way west was Nauvoo, Illinois. In late 1839, arriving Mormons bought the small town of Commerce and in April 1840 it was renamed Nauvoo by Joseph Smith, Jr., who led the Latter-day Saints to Nauvoo to escape religious persecution in Missouri. The name Nauvoo is a word that comes from Isaiah 52:7 meaning “How beautiful upon the mountains.”
Nauvoo continued to grow until 1844 when its population had reached 12,000, rivaling the size of Chicago at that time. Many newcomers did not believe as the Mormons, but settled in the area causing trouble for the Mormons. In 1844, Smith and the Nauvoo City Council angered non-Mormons by destroying a printing press after material was published critical of Smith. Because of his actions, he was placed in jail in Carthage, Illinois, where he was killed.
Following Smith’s death, Brigham Young succeeded him as the second prophet and president of the church. On February 4, 1846, the exodus across the Mississippi River began. Brigham Young led over 11,000 Mormons to the Salt Lake Valley, which was then Mexican Territory. After many difficulties and struggles, they arrived on July 24, 1847. During the next 22 years, 70,000 Mormons made the journey across the country.
But before going on with this story, let’s back up. Out at Salt Lake City, I did not hear anything about the Mormons journey from the east. Many of them had to cross Ohio and it so happens that a community in Ohio was their first stopping place.
From 1831 to 1838 Kirtland, Ohio was the headquarters for the Latter-day Saint movement. Joseph Smith led the “Saints” to Kirtland where they built their first temple, which still stands and is a historical landmark. Kirtland has other connections to the Mormons. It is located in Lake County, which is in the northeast corner of Ohio.
Middletown has a branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Starting in 1937 and assisted by missionaries from Hamilton and Cincinnati, they first met in members homes. As the group grew it was necessary to meet in larger facilities. These included the Junior Hall on Broad Street, Nelva Center on Canal Street and the IOOF Hall. In 1948, Branch President Harold Hill presented “The Spoken Word” as a community service over radio station WPFB.
In 1951, the Middletown Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was, organized under the Cincinnati District. Harold Hill was set apart as the organization’s President. Alma Hill was set apart as the President of the Relief Society Organization. Full time missionaries came to Middletown in 1959. They covered the area from Eaton to Lebanon, including Miamisburg, Franklin and Kettering.
In 1961, a 5.5 acre piece of land was purchased at 4930 Central Avenue. The first phase of construction of the present building was completed. The opening of their own building in October was a red letter day for them. Additional construction and improvements to their chapel have followed.
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