A view of the Temple Lot with the Community of Christ's Auditorium in the background.

The Temple Lot is a two acre (0.8 ha) grassy field next to the Church of Christ in the center of Independence, Missouri. The name greater Temple Lot refers to the original 63 acres (26 ha) purchased by Bishop Edward Partridge, which is now subdivided into property owned largely by the Community of Christ, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Church of Christ (Temple Lot). The site, as planned by Joseph Smith, Jr. and other early Latter Day Saint leaders, was to house a complex of twenty four temples or houses of learning, including one temple that Jesus would visit during the events leading up to the Second Coming of Christ. Image File history File links TempleLotAuditorium. ... Image File history File links TempleLotAuditorium. ... The Auditorium is a house of worship and office building located on the greater Temple Lot in Independence, Missouri. ... A hectare (symbol ha) is a unit of area, equal to 10 000 square metres, commonly used for measuring land area. ... The headquarters building of the Church of Christ as seen from the original temple site designated by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Independence is a city in Missouri, in the Kansas City metropolitan area. ... Bishop is the highest priesthood office of the Aaronic priesthood in the Latter Day Saint movement. ... Edward Partridge (August 27, 1793–May 27, 1840) was an early member of the Latter Day Saint movement, the first person to hold the prominent position of Bishop and Presiding Bishop. ... It has been suggested that Community of Christ membership statistics be merged into this article or section. ... The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest attraction in the citys Temple Square. ... The headquarters building of the Church of Christ as seen from the original temple site designated by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Joseph Smith, Jr. ... The term Latter Day Saint most commonly refers to (but is not limited to) members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which, its members believe, was founded under the direction of Jesus Christ by the prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. ... This article refers to the religious usage of the term. ...

History of the property

Joseph Smith, Jr. declared that the City of Zion, or the New Jerusalem, would be built on the American Continent beginning in Jackson County, Missouri, to eventually "fill the whole earth." A commonly held Mormon tradition is that Smith, the first leader and prophet of the Latter Day Saint movement suggested the Garden of Eden was located in or near modern-day Missouri (see Adam-ondi-Ahman). Joseph Smith, Jr. ... The original plat of the City of Zion (Independence, Missouri). ... Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. ... The Latter Day Saint movement (a subset of Restorationism) is a group of religious denominations and adherents who follow at least some of the teachings and revelations of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... The Fall of Man by Lucas Cranach, a 16th century German depiction of Eden The Garden of Eden (from Hebrew גַּן עֵדֶן ) is described in the Book of Genesis as being the place where the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve, lived after they were created by God. ... Official language(s) English Capital Jefferson City Largest city Kansas City Largest metro area St Louis[1] Area  Ranked 21st  - Total 69,709 sq mi (180,693 km²)  - Width 240 miles (385 km)  - Length 300 miles (480 km)  - % water 1. ... Adam-ondi-Ahman is a historic site along the east bank of the Grand River in Daviess County, Missouri. ...

On August 3, 1831, Joseph Smith, Jr. and a small group of associates went to a forested area a half-mile west of the Independence courthouse. Smith then indicated the specific spot where the temple was to stand, and placed a stone to mark the northeast corner. This is a sacred site for all Latter Day Saints. Many Mormons believe that important events to the history of the world will occur at the temple lot—including the beginning of the building the New Jerusalem. Latter Day Saints believe at least one temple will be built on the tract prior to the Second Coming of Christ, ushering in of the Millenial age of peace. is the 215th day of the year (216th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Leopold I 1831 (MDCCCXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The term Mormon is a colloquial name, most-often used to refer to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). ... A millennium (pl. ...

However, this is a controversial topic within the Mormonism movement, as far as the timing of events as well as the type of "temples" was not specified as more generic houses of learning (such as the Kirtland Temple) or the same type of Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in which are performed ordinances. The Kirtland Temple is a registered National Historic Landmark in Kirtland, Ohio, USA, on the eastern edge of the Cleveland metropolitan area. ... The Salt Lake Temple, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the best-known Mormon temple. ...

Due to frequent violence from residents in the area, and an extermination order from Governor Lilburn Boggs urging that they "be exterminated or driven from the state," most Mormons left Missouri. (See Zion's Camp, Mormon War.) The first groups left Jackson County in 1833, to settle in Caldwell County and Far West. Later, in 1839, Mormons left the entire state of Missouri for Illinois. The Extermination Order is known in Latter Day Saint history as the executive order issued on October 27, 1838 by Missouri governor Lilburn Boggs to have Mormons driven from the state in response to what he termed open and avowed defiance of the laws, and of having made war upon... Lilburn W. Boggs (1796-1860) was the Governor of Missouri from 1836 to 1840. ... Zions Camp is the name given to an important group of early Latter Day Saints or Mormons. ... The Mormon War is a name sometimes given to the 1838 conflict which occurred between Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and their neighbors in the northwestern region of the U.S. state of Missouri. ...

Many members of the largest sect of Mormonism, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believe that the area will be cleared of its inhabitants and some members of the church be asked to return and begin building the temple. The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest attraction in the citys Temple Square. ...

In 1864, Granville Hedrick, an apostle in the Church of Christ still remaining in Illinois, claimed to have received a revelation directing the church to return to Jackson County. About 60 people did so, and soon purchased eight lots which now comprise the temple lot property. The group made several attempts to build the temple, the most successful of which lost funding to do so during the Great Depression (see below for additional details). Many members of the group at large believe themselves to be "stewards" over the Temple lot until the various Latter Day Saint churches are united again. Granville Hedrick apostate of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints ... The Great Depression started after October 29, 1929, known as Black Tuesday. ... The term Latter Day Saint most commonly refers to (but is not limited to) members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which, its members believe, was founded under the direction of Jesus Christ by the prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. ...

In 1891, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (as the Community of Christ was then known) sued the Church of Christ for the title to the temple lot, and initially won, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints v. Church of Christ, 60 F. 937 (W.D. Mo. 1894), but lost on appeal in federal circuit court, Church of Christ in Missouri v. Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 70 F. 179 (8th Cir. 1895). It has been suggested that Community of Christ membership statistics be merged into this article or section. ... In law, an appeal is a process for making a formal challenge to an official decision. ... Circuit courts previously were United States federal courts established in each federal judicial district. ...

Attempts to build a Temple

A view of the Temple Lot with the Church of Christ in the background

On April 6, 1929, the Church of Christ formally broke ground to build the temple, as directed by several reported revelations and visits by an angel, who told them at one point to "move the markers 10 feet east." The revelations described the temple's length as twice its width, at 90 by 180 feet, which concurred with the angel's description. When the church began excavating for the basement, a worker found the stones buried by Joseph Smith, in line with the survey markers, on or about May 22, 1929. This event was noted in the church newsletter, Zion's Advocate. These two stones are currently in the small museum in the Church of Christ, and their original position is marked by two other engraved stones, embedded visibly in the lot. The outer corners of the temple are presently marked by similar stones, for a total of six. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... is the 96th day of the year (97th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Two events kept the temple from being built: the church divided over the issue of rebaptism, and the Great Depression occurred. The excavation remained for many years, but was eventually filled in and replaced with a grassy field. The Great Depression started after October 29, 1929, known as Black Tuesday. ...

On January 1, 1990, a former member of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) who had recently joined the Church of Christ with the Elijah Message set fire to the church building, claiming his actions were part of a political protest and a prophecy that "war is coming to America." The fire caused significant damage to the second story of the building, although the first floor containing church records and documents remained intact. On February 1, 1990, the remainder of the building (originally built in 1905) was razed. Construction of a new headquarters building began in August 1990. Though he pled "not guilty" to the charges (on First Amendment grounds), the man was convicted by a jury of second-degree arson and breaking and entering on January 16, 1991. is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... The Church of Christ with the Elijah Message in Independence, Missouri. ... Demonstrators march in the street while protesting the World Bank and International Monetary Fund on April 16, 2005. ... This article or section seems to describe future events as if they have already occurred. ... is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... The first ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. ... The Skyline Parkway Motel in Afton, Virginia after an arson fire on July 9, 2004. ... Burglars attempted to break into an apartment by pulling away the lock. ... is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ...

It was the second time the building had burned; the first time was in early September, 1898.

The Articles of Faith and Practice for the church say that the temple will be built "in this generation", and that Zion is to be established here with the return of Jesus. While rebuilding after the fire, the church planted three trees within the boundaries marked for the temple, indicating a belief that the building of the temple and/or the Second Coming, is not imminent. Zion (Hebrew: צִיּוֹן, tziyyon; Tiberian vocalization: tsiyyôn; transliterated Zion or Sion) is a term that most often designates the Land of Israel and its capital Jerusalem. ... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ...

Museum

A small museum, accompanied by a narrator who will tell the story of the small church, is open during weekdays and admission is free.

External links

• Church of Christ (Temple Lot) web site
• Far West Cultural Center
• The Great Temple of the New Jerusalem

v • d • e Mormon War
Temple Lot * Evening and Morning Star * Zion's Camp * Caldwell County, Missouri * Far West, Missouri * Adam-ondi-Ahman * Danite * Salt sermon * Rigdon's July 4th oration * Gallatin election day battle * Battle of Crooked River * Extermination order * Haun's Mill massacre * Liberty Jail * Boggs Assassination Attempt The Mormon War is a name sometimes given to the 1838 conflict which occurred between Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and their neighbors in the northwestern region of the U.S. state of Missouri. ... The Evening and Morning Star was an early Latter Day Saint periodical published monthly in Independence, Missouri from June 1832 to May 1833, and then in Kirtland, Ohio from June 1833 to September 1834. ... Zions Camp is the name given to an important group of early Latter Day Saints or Mormons. ... Caldwell County is a county located in the state of Missouri. ... Far West, Missouri, was a Latter Day Saint (Mormon) settlement in Caldwell County, Missouri. ... Adam-ondi-Ahman is a historic site along the east bank of the Grand River in Daviess County, Missouri. ... The Danite were a fraternal organization founded by Latter Day Saints in June of 1838 , at Far West in Caldwell County, Missouri. ... An oration delivered on June 17, 1838 by Mormon leader, Sidney Rigdon, against Mormon dissenters. ... An oration delivered by Mormon leader Sidney Rigdon during a 4th of July celebration in Far West, Missouri in 1838. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Mormon War. ... The Battle of Crooked River was a skirmish between Mormon forces and a faction of the state militia of Missouri under the command of Methodist minister Samuel Bogart. ... Missouri Executive Order 44[1] also known as The extermination order (alt. ... A stone from Hauns Mill, at one time used as a memorial at the site of the massacre. ... Liberty Jail is a prison in Liberty, Missouri where Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Lilburn W. Boggs (1796-1860) was the Governor of Missouri from 1836 to 1840. ...