During the late-19th century, Smith III and the church were involved in the "Kirtland Temple Suit", which attempted to gain clear title for the church over Mormonism's original temple. In 1880, an Ohio court made a ruling which appeared to declare that the RLDS Church was the legal successor to the original Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and that as such it was entitled to the property of the original church. Smith III and the church also were involved in the "Temple Lot Suit", which eventually resulted in clearing the title to a portion of the original Temple Lot in Independence, Missouri, for another Latter Day Saint denomination, the Church of Christ (Temple Lot).