With
Joseph’s and the other new convert’s testimonies of the Book of Mormon and the prophecies
therein burning bright, there was a growing desire to bring forth the many
latter-day prophecies contained within its pages. One of the prophesies that
most occupied their attention concerned the New Jerusalem. Isaiah, John, and
other prophets had prophesied of a future city, the New Jerusalem, where God
would come and dwell with his people.
The Book
of Mormon gave further clarification of this prophesy as well as additional
insights. Moroni wrote of Ether’s prophesy that, “…After the waters had receded
from off the face of this land (the Americas) it became a choice land above all
other lands, a chosen land of the Lord; wherefore the Lord would have that all
men should serve him who dwell upon the face thereof; and that it was the place
of the New Jerusalem, which should come down out of heaven, and the holy
sanctuary of the Lord.” (Ether 13:2-3)
The
future of the Americas was also spoken of by Christ as he visited the ancient
inhabitants of America, “And behold, this people will I establish in this land,
unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob; and it
shall be a New Jerusalem. And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of
this people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you.” (3 Nephi 20:22)
Naturally
the Saints became anxious to know the location of this New Jerusalem and their
role in it. As Joseph Smith sought continued direction concerning the matter,
the Lord did not immediately reveal his answer.
After the
third conference of the church on June 6, 1831, Joseph received new
This
commandment came at no surprise as Oliver Cowdrey, Parley P. Pratt, Frederick
G. Williams, Peter Whitmer, and Ziba Peterson had just retuned from the area in
May of 1831. These five had been called on a mission to take the gospel to the
Lamanites in order to fulfill another Book of Mormon prophecy. They had
traveled to Independence, Missouri, which was then the western border of the
United States, and found much success with the Native Americans on the other
side of the border. Because of failure to secure permits to continually cross
the border, due to jalousies among local congregations, the five elders were forced
to abandon the mission and returned to Missouri.
These
five elders would serve as guides to the prophet as they traveled back to
Missouri. As the prophet Joseph prepared to leave for Missouri, Newel Knight
approached him for direction on behalf of the displaced Colesville saints. Upon
migrating to Ohio, the Colesville saints had been assigned to settle in
Thompson, Ohio on the Copley farm and participate in the law of consecration.
 |
| Independence Temple Lot Today |
Due to
his failure on a mission to the Shakers, Leman Copley broke his contract and
ordered the Colesville saints off his property. As Newel Knight sought Joseph’s
direction, the Lord informed them that the Colesville saints should, “take [their]
journey into the regions westward, unto the land of Missouri, unto the borders
of the Lamanites.” (D&C 54:8)
On June
19, 1831 Joseph, Sidney, and the other Elders headed to Missouri. Soon
thereafter the Colesville saints followed. After arriving in Jackson County,
Missouri on July 20, 1831, the Lord instructed Joseph, “Wherefore, this is the
land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion. And thus saith the Lord
your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is
now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying
westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse. Wherefore, it is
wisdom that the land should be purchased by the saints, and also every tract
lying westward, even unto the line running directly between Jew and Gentile.”
(D&C 57:2-4)
Upon the
arrival of the Colesville saints the following week, funds we collected to
purchase the land, and Bishop Edward Partridge was again assigned the task of
issuing stewardships in Zion to the saints.
The land
was largely unsettled and could be purchased for a mere $1.25 an acre. The
rolling prairies and temperate climate made the lad perfect for farming.
Several timber-lined rivers also
provided adequate building materials for the new settlements.
Joseph would later teach the saints that the Garden
of Eden was originally situated in Independence Missouri. President
Wilford Woodruff once testified, “Joseph,
the Prophet, told me that the Garden of Eden was in Jackson County, Missouri.”
(Wilford Woodruff, His Life and Labors, comp. Matthias F. Cowley [Salt Lake
City: Deseret News, 1916], 481.)
 |
| Independence Temple Lot Marker |
Elder
John A. Widtsoe later taught, "Latter-day Saints know, through modern revelation, that the Garden of Eden was on the North
American continent and that Adam and Eve began their conquest of the
earth in the upper part of what is now the state of Missouri. It seems very probable that the children of our first
earthly parents moved down along the fertile, pleasant lands of the Mississippi
valley." (Evidences and Reconciliations, three volumes in one, Salt
Lake City: Bookcraft 1960, p. 127)
It is a beautiful truth when one
stops to ponder it. Adam and Eve began God’s presence in Independence,
Missouri, and were cast out after the fall. Their latter-day posterity will one
day gather there to build a temple to the Most High God, prepare the Earth once
again for it’s paradisiacal glory, and enter back into God’s presence.
For this reason, the Saints were
ecstatic to lay the foundations of Zion and begin to build the temple. Though
just a tiny band of impoverished saints, they set out to accomplish this high
and holy commission. On August 2, 1831 in
Kaw Township, about 12 miles west of Independence. Joseph and Sidney dedicated
Jackson County as the land of Zion and a gathering place for the saints.
The next day, August 3, Joseph
Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge, W. W. Phelps, Oliver Cowdery, Martin
Harris, and Joseph Coe traveled to the Temple Lot, a beautiful area covered
with many large trees just west of Independence. There they dedicated the sight
for the building of a temple. The dedication proceeded as follows:
 |
| Original SE Corner Marker |
Psalms
87 was read:
His
foundation is in the holy mountains.
The
Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
Glorious
things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
I
will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia,
and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
And
of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest
himself shall establish her.
The
Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there.
Selah.
As
well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs
are in thee.
A
single stone was then put in place to mark the southeast corner (The church did
not yet own the land).
Joseph
offered a dedicatory prayer
Joseph described his feelings of the
dedication saying, “The scene was solemn and impressive.” Thus in relative
obscurity the foundation for the first House of the Lord in this last dispensation
was begun, marking the beginning of an unprecedented era of temple building.
Joseph and ten of the Elders returned to Kirtland, Ohio a week later.
The saints began to establish the
City of Zion over the next few years. On December 19, 1831 Bishop Partridge
purchased 63.5 acres for $135 as the center for the City of Zion, which
included the temple lot. By November 1832 over 810 saints had gathered to
Missouri, but work on the temple did not yet commence.
By 1833 there began to be many disputations
among the saints in Zion that began to bring the chastisement of God upon them.
Some of the new members who came to Zion did not comply with the law of
consecration that had been set up and sought to obtain land some other way. Others
accused Joseph for delaying moving to Zion. The saints were called upon to
repent, and many changed their ways as Zion continued to grow.
 |
| Plat of the City of Zion |
Joseph received direction from the
Lord on the organization of the City of Zion andthe temples therein. The plat
was designed to house 15,000 to 20,000 within a one-mile square block. All of
the farms-land (except for personal vegetable gardens) and stables were to
surround the city. At the center of the plat was the temple. Actually it was
planned to contain 24 temples.
These
temples wee not all to be for saving ordinances. Some would be houses of
worship, schools, etc. But the first to be built would be the temple for which
the site had been dedicated previously. Joseph’s description of this temple is
given at the end of the chapter. On June 25, 1833, Joseph sent the plat with
detailed instructions to the church leaders.
The
growth of the City of Zion continued at a staggering pace. By July 1833 over
1200 saints had settled in Jackson County. This was very concerning to the
settlers who had originally established Independence. Many of them were rough
around the edges and had moved to Missouri to escape the civility of the East. With
the influx of saints and the offhanded comments by the Mormon settlers that
there would soon be tens of thousands of Saints in the county raised tensions
between the two groups.
The
original settlers were experiencing economic impacts because the saints did not
deal in money under the law of consecration. Local congregants were also
worried that they would lose religious freedom, a lie told by jealous
ministers. In addition they worried that those who had founded the town would
lose all political power as well as the right to own slaves.
All
of this worry came to a head on July 20, 1833 when a mob marched into the
Mormon settlement and demanded that the saints leave. They destroyed building
and tarred and feathered church leaders. The harassment lasted throughout the
summer and fall. Eventually the mob drove the saints out of the county
altogether in early November 1833.
 |
| Temple Lot around 1900 |
After
an attempt by the saints to redeem Zion through the inspired Zion’s Camp, the
Lord revealed to Joseph, “ But behold, they have not learned to be
obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all
manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to
the poor and afflicted among them… Therefore, in consequence of the
transgressions of my people, it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait
for a little season for the redemption of Zion.” (D&C 105:3,9)
Later
revelation cam from the Lord to Brigham Young on the redemption of Zion and the
saint’s return to Missouri in January 1847. The Lord revealed, “Zion shall be
redeemed in mine own due time.” (D&C 136:18)
The
saints of that generation would not return to Jackson County. After migrating
to Utah, the presiding councils of the church discussed what to do with their
claim to the Temple Lot. On April 26, 1848 the deed on the land was quit
claimed to a buyer for $300.
The temple lot was purchased in 1867 by the
followers of Grandville Hedrick, a
small sect that had separated from the LDS
Church. The Hedrickites, later to form the Church of Christ (Temple Lot), were
determined to push forward with the building of the Temple. However in the
1870’s the Community of Christ (RLDS Church) made an attempt to obtain
possession of the land through the court systems, but failed.
 |
| Temple Lot 1980s |
The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would not establish a presence in
the region again until 1904 when under President Joseph F. Smith the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began purchasing land once again in Jackson
County. The Church purchased 20 of the original 63.5-acre plot, and in 1907
established the headquarters of the Central States Mission there. Currently, the
remainder of the original plot is owned by the Community of Christ and the
Church of Christ (Temple Lot).
 |
| 1929 Church of Christ (Temple Lot) Excavation |
The
Church of Christ (Temple Lot) believed that the Temple was prophesied to be
completed within 100 years of the original site dedication. Under a series of
prophesies from one of their leaders an attempt was made to build a temple on
the lot in 1929. They broke ground on April 26, 1929 an commenced to excavate a
90 by 180 foot building. During this excavation the original stones marking the
southeast and northeast corners for the temple foundation were discovered. They
are now on display in the Church of Christ’s visitor’s room on site.
 |
| Original Temple Corner Markers |
An
appeal was made from the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) to the LDS Church to
join them in erecting the House of the Lord. The Church politely declined.
Later Elder Joseph Feilding Smith acknowledged that while we still held the
belief that we were under command to build a temple in Independence, it must be
built under proper priesthood authority. He went on to say, “No people will be
commanded and directed by revelation from the Lord to build his temple, when
they know nothing of temple building and the ordinances preformed in the
temples.” (Improvement Era, May 1930, 469)
Later
that year, an editorial in the Liahona reinforced this saying, “All premature,
unauthorized movements” to construct a temple in Jackson County will,
"come to naught." (Liahona, The Elders' Journal, July 193, 31) This
statement was fulfilled less than a year later when rifts in the Community of
Christ (Temple Lot) caused the construction of the temple to be delayed, In
1946 the excavation was filled in and the lot was planted with grass.
To
this day the temple lot remains an empty well-groomed plot of ground on the
corner of West Walnut Street and South River Boulevard in present-day
Independence, Missouri. The 2.5-acre temple lot shares the block with the
headquarters of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot). Aside from a few historic
monuments and markers outlining the corners of the temple, the lot remains
empty waiting for the day the temple will be erected to the name of the Lord. The
Church of Christ (Temple Lot) has maintained that it will not sell or cooperate
with any other denomination in building a temple on the lot, but rather view
themselves as guardians of the sacred area.
 |
| Independence Missouri Temple Lot Today |
 |
| LDS Visitors' Center |
The
LDS Church has continually maintained a presence in Jackson County, but current
only maintains a stake center and visitors center on the original plot. The Visitors
Center, which was dedicated in 1971, lays to the southeast of the temple lot. It
is of significant import that the Church has completed it’s first temple in Jackson
County with the dedication of the Kansas City Missouri Temple.
The
Church still holds the belief that one day the New Jerusalem, and its temple,
will be erected in Jackson County before the coming of the Lord. Many of the
apostles and prophets have said much about the day when the temple its to be
built. Elder Orson Pratt has taught, “Zion must be redeemed before the coming
of Christ, the temple must be built upon the consecrated spot, the cloud and
glory of the Lord rest upon it, and the Lamanites, many of them, brought in,
and they must build up the New Jerusalem.” (Orson Pratt Journal of Discourses,
3:18-19)
Elder
Pratt later taught, “He gave the pattern of these things in Kirtland, Ohio… but
there were not rooms for the washings, no rooms such as we have now, and such
as were prepared in the Nauvoo Temple; and in other respects, there was
something added to the Nauvoo Temple… There was no font in the basement story
of the Kirtland Temple, for baptismal purposes in behalf of the dead. Why not?
Because that principle was not revealed. But in the Nauvoo Temple this font was
prepared, which was something in advance of the Kirtland Temple… we will build
a Temple in Jackson County, Missouri. Will it be built according to the pattern
of our present Temples? No. There will be, according to the progress of this
people, and the knowledge they receive, and the greatness of the work that is
before them, many things, pertaining to the pattern, that will then be given,
which will differ materially, or will be, at least, in addition to that which
is in these Temples now built.” (Journal of Discourses, 19:19)
 |
| Dedication Monument |
It
is interesting to note that when Joseph was given the Plat for the City of Zion
the
temples we designed in accordance with what the Lord had revealed to him
thus far. While the plat was given, they were still in the process of receiving
the fullness of the priesthood, and were not entirely sure what the 24 temples
would be used for. Later revelation has been given on what the temples in
Independence will actually look like.
 |
| Northwest Corner Marker |
The
greatest details pertaining to this future magnificent edifice have been given
to us by Elder Orson Pratt:
There,
however, we expect to build a temple different from all other temples in some
respects… We expect to build a temple much larger, very much larger, according
to the revelation God gave to us forty years ago (1839) in regard to that
temple… there will be 24 different compartments in the Temple that will be
built in Jackson County. The names of these compartments were given to us some
45 or 46 years ago; the names we still have, and when we build these 24 rooms,
in a circular
form and arched over the center, we shall give the names to all
these different compartments just as the Lord specified through Joseph Smith…
these buildings will be built with a special view to the different orders, or
in other words the different quorums or councils of the two Priesthoods that
God has ordained on the earth. That is the object of having 24 rooms so that
each of these different quorums, whether they be High Priests or Seventies, or
Elders, or Bishops, or lesser Priesthood, or Teachers, or Deacons, or
Patriarchs, or Apostles, or High Councils, or whatever may be the duties that
are assigned to them, they will have rooms in the Temple of the Most High God,
adapted, set apart, constructed, and dedicated for this special purpose… are
there any other rooms that will be built—detached from the Temple? Yes. There
will be tabernacles, there will be meeting houses for the assembling of the
people on the Sabbath day. There will be various places of meeting so that the
people may gather together; but the Temple will be dedicated to the Priesthood
of the Most High God, and for most sacred and holy purposes.
 |
| Northeast Corner Marker |
 |
| Southeast Corner Marker |
When the more perfect
order shall exist we shall construct them, through the aid of revelation, in
accordance with the Temples that exist in yonder heaven… this last Temple that
I am speaking of, or this last one to be built in Jackson County, Missouri,
will be constructed after that heavenly pattern in all particulars… It will be
a place where he will have his throne, where he will sit occasionally as King
of Kings and Lord of Lords, and reign over his people who will occupy this
great western continent; the same as he will have his throne at Jerusalem.
You will have no need
of any artificial light, for the Lord God will be the light thereof, and his
glory will be there, and you will see it and you will hear his voice. (Journal
of Discourses, 24:24, 21:153, 21:331)
 |
| Christus in LDS Visitors' Center |
In
the 1960s, Elder Alvin R. Dyer, also attested to the form of this future
temple. He taught that there will be "a temple complex such as has never
been known… wherein there shall be as the center of that complex the temple of
the New Jerusalem.” (The Center Place of Zion, February 7, 1967 BYU Devotional
Address)
The
building of the Temple in Independence, Missouri is one that is anxiously
anticipated by all of the latter-day saints. How and when this will happen is entirely unknown, but
this like all other dedicated temples will one day be built in the name of the
Lord and used for his holy purposes and sacred ordinances.
Description of the Temples in
Zion
Joseph Smith Jr.
The
names of the temples to be built on the painted squares as represented on the
plot of the city of Zion, which is now about to be forwarded thither:—
Numbers
10, 11, and 12, are to be called, House of the Lord, for the Presidency of the
High and most Holy Priesthood, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after
the order of the Son of God, upon Mount Zion, City of the New Jerusalem.
 |
| 24 Temples at the Center of Zion |
Numbers
7, 8, and 9, the Sacred Apostolic Repository, for the use of the Bishop.
Numbers
4, 5, and 6, the Holy Evangelical House, for the High Priesthood of the Holy
Order of God.
Numbers
1, 2, and 3, the House of the Lord, for the Elders of Zion, an Ensign to the
Nations.
Numbers
22, 23, and 24, House of the Lord for the Presidency of the High Priesthood,
after the Order of Aaron, a Standard for the People.
Numbers
19, 20, and 21, House of the Lord, the Law of the Kingdom of Heaven, and Messenger
to the People; for the Highest Priesthood after the Order of Aaron.
Numbers
16, 17, and 18, House of the Lord for the Teachers in Zion, Messenger to the
Church.
Numbers
13, 14, and 15, House of the Lord for the Deacons in Zion, Helps in Government.
Underneath
must be written on each house—Holiness to the Lord.
A description of the House of
the Lord, which is to be built first in Zion:
The House of the Lord for the
Presidency.
 |
| Front Elevation of Independence Temple |
The
house of the Lord for the Presidency, is eighty-seven feet long and sixty-one
feet wide, and ten feet taken off of the east end for the stairway, leaves the
inner court, seventy-eight feet by sixty-one, which is calculated and divided
for seats in the following manner, viz: the two aisles four feet wide each; the
middle block of pews are eleven feet ten inches long, and three feet wide each;
and the two lines drawn through the middle are four inches apart; in which
space a curtain is to drop at right angles, and divide the house into four
parts if necessary. The pews of the side blocks are fourteen and a half feet
long, and three feet wide. The five pews in each corner of the house, are
twelve feet six inches long. The open spaces between the corner and side pews
are for fireplaces; those in the west are nine feet wide, and the east ones are
eight feet and eight inches wide, and the chimneys carried up in the wall where
they are marked with a pencil.
The Pulpits of the Temple.
 |
| Assembly Hall Floor Plan |
The
pulpit in the west end of the house is to be occupied by the High Priesthood,
as follows:
Number
1, is for the President and his council;
Number
2, for the Bishop and his council;
Number
3, for the High Priests; and
Number
4 for the Elders:
each
of these is eight feet long, containing three coves or stands for the
respective speakers; and those seats opposite them are for visiting officers,
who are to occupy seats according to their respective grades. The two spaces in
the middle are stairs two feet wide. The middle pulpit is to be elevated; the
first seats one foot, the second two feet, the third three feet, and the fourth
four feet. And those upon each side are also to be elevated: the first one
eight inches, the second sixteen, the third twenty-four, the fourth thirty-two.
The corner seats are to be occupied by singers, and elevated—the first seat six
inches, the second twelve, the third eighteen, the fourth twenty-four, and the
fifth thirty-two inches.
The
pulpit in the east end of the house is to be occupied by the Lesser Priesthood.
Number
1, is for the Presidency of the Lesser Priesthood;
Number
2, for the Priests;
Number
3, for the Teachers; and
Number
4, for the Deacons;
and
the seats by their sides, are also to be occupied by visiting officers; each
one opposite his respective grade. The pulpits are to be finished with panel
work, in the best workmanlike manner; and the building to be constructed of
stone and brick of the best quality. Observe particularly that as there are
pulpits at each end of the house, the backs of the congregation must be to one
of them, and they will want occasionally to change. In order for this the house
must have pews instead of slips, and in the pews let the seats be loose, that
they may slip from one side of the pew to the other, so as to face either
pulpit, as occasion may require.
 |
| Side Elevation of the Temple |
The Windows.
The
side view represents five windows in each story. The windows are to have each
forty-eight lights, of seven by nine glass, six one way and eight the other;
the sides and lintels of the windows to be of hewn stone, and on the top of the
lintel is to be a Gothic top, as you see, but the windows must have a lintel;
and so with the outside doors, all with Gothic tops.
General Dimensions.
Make
your house fourteen feet high between the floors. There will not be a gallery
but a chamber; each story to be fourteen feet high, arched overhead with an
elliptic arch. Let the foundation of the house be of stone; let it be raised
sufficiently high to allow of banking up
so high as to admit of a descent every
way from the house, so far as to divide the distance between this house, and
the one next to it. On the top of the foundation, above the embankment, let
there be two rows of hewn stone, and then commence the brick-work on the hewn
stone. The entire height of the house is to be twenty-eight feet, each story
being fourteen feet; make the wall a sufficient thickness for a house of this
size. The end view represents five windows of the same size as those at the
side, the middle window excepted, which is to be the same, with the addition of
side lights. This middle window is designed to light the rooms both above and
below, as the upper floor is to be laid off in the same way as the lower one,
and arched overhead; with the same arrangement of curtains, or veils, as before
mentioned.
 |
| Explanation of Temple Design |
The
doors are to be five feet wide, and nine feet high, and to be in the east end
of the house. The west end is to have no doors, but in other respects is to be
like the east, except the windows are to be opposite the alleys which run east
and west. The roof of the house is to have one-fourth pitch, the door to have
Gothic top, the same as the windows. The shingles of the roof to be painted
before they are put on. There is to be a fanlight, as you see. The windows and
doors are all to have venetian blinds. A belfry is to be in the east end, and a
bell of very large size.
Arrangement of Curtains.
You
will be careful to have hooks and rings to suspend your veils on, so that they
can be let down or raised at any time, at pleasure. Also, as you see, the
pulpits are to have four seats, rising one above another; for instance, the
Elder's seat is the lowest, next comes the High Priest's, next the Bishop's; so
each of these must have a veil that is suspended from the upper floor, so as to
be let down; which will at any time when necessary be let down, and shut off
each stand or seat by itself.
