History
In the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints many followers of the church moved to Missouri. As the Mormon population grew in this part of Missouri so did fear and resentment by the locals of the outsiders. So it was, in the 1830’s, during the siege of Far West, Missouri, a militia captured Joseph Smith, leader of the Church and several other church leaders. General Lucas, the commanding general, ordered General Doniphan to take Joseph Smith into the town square at Far West to shoot him. General Doniphan refused to carry out the order, saying that it would be murder to do so. The captured leaders were moved here to Richmond and then later onto Liberty, Missouri and the jail located there.
General Doniphan is regarded as hero to many members of the Church of Jesus Christ. The statue to General Doniphan, located in the main courthouse square of Richmond for his significant service to the community and Civil War heroics.1
Richmond later became the home to Oliver Cowdery and his brother in law David Whitmer who settled here in the mid 1850’s. Both are buried in the area.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Richmond
In 1911, while on tour, the Salt-Lake Tabernacle Choir (now the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square), performed at the Farris Theatre in Richmond, Missouri. Back then the Theatre was just 11 years old and known as the Dougherty Auditorium. This special performance was arranged to be apart of the dedication of a monument to honor Oliver Cowdery at his burial site in Richmond. The monument is located at the Pioneer Cemetery on North Thornton Street in Richmond.2
Present
The city of Richmond, Missouri has two cemetery’s of interest to followers of the Latter Day saint movement. Oliver Cowdery, one of the three witnesses and an early scribe for Joseph Smith, is buried somewhere in the small Pioneer Cemetery. He died in Richmond after rejoining the Church at Winter Quarters and coming back to Richmond to talk David Whitmer (his brother-in-law) into going west with him.3
David Whitmer is buried in the larger and current city cemetery. A visit to both graves is possible today, however, taking a large RV into the modern city cemetery is not advised. You will need to park on the outside and walk into the cemetery. David Whitmer’s grave is near the top of the cemetery.
The Pioneer Cemetery was abandoned by the city and is now maintained by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jacob Whitmer, one of the eight witnesses, is also buried somewhere at this site. No one knows the actual grave site, since all of the stones and markers have been broken, moved, or buried over the years–only bits and pieces are left tot see. 4
The Church erected a large monument here in 1911 to the three witnesses who saw the plates on which the Book of Mormon was written.5 It is about a 40 minute drive away, to where there is also erected a second monument to the eight witnesses in a location just south of Liberty. This second monument also provides information about two events that occurred on this land: the discharging of Zion’s Camp and the calling of early Church leaders in Missouri.
Tips and Logistics
General Doniphan Statue – City Square
- Traffic along this street is usually so heavy in the square that I do not recommend stopping for photos unless you pull off to a side street.
Parking Pioneer Cemetery Richmond Missouri
- There is usually a lot of traffic here, so be careful as you make the turn (up a little hill). If you cannot make this turn, don’t worry–keep going straight and turn right when you can and come back to Crispin street.
- I wouldn’t even try parking on Thornton Street as it is narrow and has a lot of traffic.
- There is a large turn aound at the end of the parking lot so busses and large RV’s can turn aound so dont be scared to enter into the parking lot.
- There are no restroom facilities at this site.
Parking Richmond Cemetery
- There is little to no parking near the Davit Whitmer grave.
- Don’t try and take a large RV into the cemetery – you will be sorry. Park on the street near the entrance and walk to the top of the hill.
- This cemetery also contains the grave of Bob Ford – for those interested in the Jesse James saga.
Nearby Camping
Watkins Woolen Mill State Park (About an 40 min away)
Features include:
- Picnic table, fire ring, and grill are available at each site
- Shower and laundry facilities
- Playground
- Water/Electric Sites available
- Tents and RV’s welcome
Rates 2020:
Unimproved – $20/night
Electric – 30 amp $25/night
Electric- 50 amp $35/night
Wallace State Park
Wallace State Park is a fantastic place that includes options for lodging, sleeping in your tent or RV.
Features and tips include:
- Picnic sites scattered throughout the campground
- Visitors can fish in the park’s six-acre lake
- Modern restrooms and hot showers
- Campground open year-round
Nearby Attractions
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum
On the topic of many of these posts on sites in Missouri it’s of interest to note that President Harry S. Truman was actually from Independence Missouri and his wife was a member of what was then the RLDS church. The Truman Library is one of fourteen Presidential Libraries operated by the Federal government.Presidential Libraries are administered by the National Archives and Records Administration as part of the nation’s record-keeping system. The Truman Library & Museum is just a 5 minute drive around the corner from this site, and definitely worth a drop-in.
Liberty Jail
Many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are familiar with this jail even though Liberty, Missouri was never a major gathering place for the Church of Jesus Christ. Liberty Jail was the location that Elder Neal A. Maxwell calls the “temple prison” because of the spiritual development that took place in Joseph Smith and the revelations and understanding that was granted to him during his incarceration here.
Haun’s Mill
‘Haun’s Mill’ is a site that commemorates the killing of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in what is known as ‘Haun’s Mill Massacre’. While today there is little more than a field, markers are set to remind us of the event and early history of the Church.
Adam-ondi-Ahman
This valley is believed to be a place with ancient history associated with Adam. It is of significance to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today because it has been dedicated as a temple spot, and known as an important gathering spot.
Far West
For a couple years members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints went about building up a stake in Far West before being forced to leave. Following the command of the Lord, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and some others actually came back one night to dedicate the land as a future spot for a temple site. Today it is still regarded as such and has cornerstones laid for a future temple.
Independence Missouri Visitor Center
The Independence Missouri Visitor Center is essentially the starting point for all Missouri Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints history sites. It is built upon land that was once purchased to establish the center place of Zion. Across the street from it are several sites of interest.
Community of Christ Temple and Auditorium
Independence is the headquarters of the Community of Christ (formally known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or “RLDS”). This group traces its beginning to 1860 when Joseph Smith III agreed to take leadership. For some time they were located in Nauvoo, Illinois and Lamoni, Iowa, before moving to Independence, Missouri. This site has options for tours, concerts, and open participation in ceremonies at both their temple and auditorium.
Notes
1. Barrett, Steve. Grand Sesquicentennial Tour, July 17 to August 7, 1997. BYU Alumni Association Church History Tour, Page 28-29.
2. Tipping, Joy. “Mormonn Tabernacle Choir Coming to KC.” Richmond News, 4 Dec. 2008, www.richmond-dailynews.com/news/mormon-tabernacle-choir-coming-to-kc/article_99fcbfed-97b9-541e-9940-f3cb1ab1494c.html.
3-5. Barrett, Steve. Grand Sesquicentennial Tour, July 17 to August 7, 1997. BYU Alumni Association Church History Tour, Page 28-29.
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