After the leadership of the church left Kirtland, Ohio, in 1837 and 1838, the number of Saints living there significantly decreased because of migration or defection. After preaching there in June 1844, Brigham Young observed that “the people are ded an cold in relegion here.” In January 1845 Young counseled his brother living in Kirtland to gather all the faithful Saints to Nauvoo, leaving Kirtland “to the owls & the bats for a season.” Since that time, as noted in the council meeting on 1 March 1845, Sidney Rigdon and other dissenters had visited Kirtland seeking to convert any remaining Latter-day Saints and to organize a congregation there. (Young, Journal, 8 June 1844; Brigham Young, Nauvoo, IL, to Phineas Young et al., Kirtland, OH, 21 Jan. 1845, copy, Brigham Young Office Files, CHL.)
Young, Brigham. Journals, 1832–1877. Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1, boxes 71–73.
Brigham Young Office Files, 1832–1878. CHL. CR 1234 1.