'Kirtland miracle': LDS leader asks blessings on large historic project

KIRTLAND, Ohio — LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley offered a prayer of dedication here Sunday, asking that God bless Kirtland as a place where all people can find spiritual truth.

"May this area become a great gathering place for thy people from over the world," President Hinckley said.

The recently completed multimillion-dollar restoration of Historic Kirtland, spotlighting buildings sacred to the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the largest such project ever undertaken by the church with the exception of Nauvoo, Ill., which was settled several years later. The Kirtland effort was financed with a combination of church funds and private donations.

President Hinckley prayed that church members would "come here and walk about with reverence and memories and grow in faith and testimony concerning this place and thy kingdom." He also blessed it as a "place where the stranger will be touched by thy spirit and come to know something of thy cause."

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BORDER="1"> FACE="Verdana,Helvetica,Arial" SIZE="2">Additional information FACE="Verdana,Helvetica,Arial" SIZE="2"> Sunday's articles: Pres. Hinckley lauds rebirth of Kirtland Saturday's articles: Area will provide a wealth of data on early LDS history Reconstruction has been nearly free from public protest Earlier articles: Jan. 18, 2003: Kirtland center planned by former RLDS Church Apr. 20, 2000: LDS to restore Kirtland landmarks

His prayer concluded an emotional dedicatory service during which President Hinckley shared his thoughts from earlier in the day. During a sacrament service in Kirtland Sunday morning, President Hinckley said his mind began to wander across the globe to similar meetings being held in 160 nations.

"I thought of the miracle which has come to pass as this work has spread across the world," he said, his voice choked with emotion. From a few thousand members who made Kirtland the headquarters of the fledgling faith from 1831 to 1838, the church has spread worldwide, he said, fulfilling the prophecy of founder Joseph Smith.