Isaac and Lucy Morley Farm

Isaac Morley was one of the earliest settlers in Kirtland, Ohio. He and his wife, Lucy, ran a large 80-acre farm, which they opened to members of a community seeking the Church of Christ as outlined in the New Testament.

Isaac and his family joined the Church when missionaries passed through their area, and many other members of their community joined as well. The Morley’s large farm became not only a gathering place but also a place of revelation and refuge for Joseph Smith.

After joining the Church, the Morleys offered to house more Saints who were moving into the area, while also building a home for Joseph and Emma Smith. Although Joseph and Emma lived in this home for just a few months—from March to September 1831—this was a place of revelation.

While living here, Joseph received as many as 13 revelations now recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants. In a small schoolhouse on the property, Joseph Smith prophesied to a group of men about the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In that same gathering, 23 men, including Joseph Smith himself, were ordained high priests.

Today a small portion of the land is open to the public. The home that now stands on the property is not open to the public, and it is not the home where the Morleys or the Smiths lived. However, visitors can walk a short uphill trail toward where the schoolhouse was.

Read more about the Morley Farm in Saints, vol. 1, chapters 10 and 11.

What to Expect

The Morley Farm is a self-guided experience where you can explore the grounds around the property.