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25 years ago
"More than a century after the LDS exodus from the cradle of the Church and site of its first temple, a new stake was organized in Kirtland (Ohio) Oct. 16," the Church News reported in its Oct. 23, 1983, edition.
The Kirtland Ohio Stake was organized with 2,400 members by President Ezra Taft Benson from the Cleveland and Akron stakes in Ohio.
A stake was organized at Kirtland on Feb. 17, 1834, but was discontinued May 24, 1841, according to the 2008 Church Almanac.
The Church News article stated: "Referring to Ohio as 'a favored stake,' President Benson said 'we have barely scratched the surface' of missionary work in the Kirtland area. 'Kirtland is now being built up,' he said. 'What an opportunity."'
Elder Karl R. Anderson, a regional representative, said Kirtland was headquarters of the Church longer than any other site outside of Salt Lake City, according to the article.
He said, "Temple work started here, as did the School of the Prophets," adding that it was the site of the organization of the first Church presidency.
The article continued: "Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith and Brigham Young all prophesied that a stake would again be created in Kirtland, Elder Anderson said."
