The first temple built by the Church…

The first temple built by the Church of the Latter Day Saints is constructed in Kirtland, Ohio, under Joseph Smith's leadership and direction.

The work been begun in 1833; it is completed by 1836.

Around the time of its completion, many extraordinary events are reported: appearances by Jesus, Moses, Elijah, Elias, and numerous angels, speaking and singing in tongues, prophesying, and other spiritual experiences.

However, the construction of the temple, in addition to other ventures of Smith's, has left him and the Church deeply in debt.

To raise money, Smith plans a banking institution, which is called the Kirtland Safety Society.

The State of Ohio denies Smith a charter to legally operate a bank causing Smith to rename the company under the advice of non-Mormon legal counsel as 'The Kirtland AntiBanking Safety Society' and he continues to operate the bank and print notes.

The bank becomes insolvent after twenty-one days of operation in January and collapses later this year.

During this time, Smith and his associates are accused of illegal and unethical actions.

In the wake of this bank failure, many church members, including prominent leaders who had backed the venture, become disaffected with Smith.