Kirtland, Ohio, which once had a scourge placed on it through the Prophet Joseph Smith, is climbing back. Today, the Kirtland Ward has almost 500 members and is growing at the rate of 23 percent a year as part of the sprawling Cleveland Ohio Stake.

It was on July 6, 1838—144 years ago this week—that the early Kirtland members packed up everything and left Ohio for Missouri.

It's quite amazing what has happened since the ward was organized five years ago, said Bishop Jack Lee Davis, manager of the Morton Salt Co. at Painesville, located 12 miles northeast of Kirkland. "We now average 60 percent attendance at sacrament meeting, our temple attendance is high, fast offerings exceed the stakes average, Primary attendance is up, we have 65 in our youth program, and we attend our stake meetings well."

He said that a new two-unit chapel that could be used as a stake center is finished and awaiting dedication.

The ward only had 199 members when it was organized five years ago, said the bishop, but "move-ins of at least 10 LDS families" to build a nearby power plant—plus converts—have kept the ward enrollment rising.

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"This fulfilled one of Joseph Smith's prophecies regarding Kirtland that descendants of the early inhabits would one day reside in the city," said the bishop.

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A promise of a future stake in Kirtland was made by the Prophet Joseph, "It will be one of the principal ones of Zion." In addition, it was promised that the posterity of the faithful saints who once lived in Kirtland would compose the inhabitants of the city. "I have heard Brigham make similar statements." (Joseph Young, Letter to Lewis Harvey, Nov. 16, 1880.)

President Ezra Taft Benson of the Council of the Twelve foresaw the removal of Kirtland's scourge when he spoke at the chapel groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 1979:

"The scourge that was placed upon the people . . . is being lifted today. . . . I'm sure that this is a new day, the Lord is looking in on the people of this community because of your faith and your faithfulness, and your interest in building the kingdom."

He continued: "The prophecy said . . . your children may possess the Kirtland land, but not until many years shall pass away. Those many, years have passed away and now is the time to rise and shine and look forward to the great progress of this part of the Lord's kingdom."