Far West Temple Site: Far West, Missouri

History

There was a time when Far West, Missouri had a population of more than 5,000 people, seven stores 150 buildings, and factories and other places of business.¹ In fact in Caldwell County, Missouri, Far West was considered to be the largest settlement by 1838. Around this time Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints, received revelation that Far West would be a “holy and consecrated land” as the Saints gathered there to build a temple and worship Him.²

It was from the Far West Temple site that the members of Quorum of the Twelve left on their first mission to England. They came back to Far West fom Illinois, where the church had been driven. While here, they ordained two new Apostles. these men were ordained as they sat on the stone that is the south east cornerstone of the temple. Prayer was then offered there before leaving. By so doing they fulfilled a prophecy given by Joseph Smith as he called the Quorum of the Twelve to go to England, when he said that they would leave from the temple site in Far West. A anti-mormon mob, especially those who had once been a part of the Church, had bragged that they would see to it that this prophecy would never come to pass.³

Present

What to see

The Far West Temple Site is a square plot of land with pristine grass. Inside it’s gates it preserves the corner stones that were set many years ago in preparation for the fulfillment of a prophecy. This site maintained by the Church of Jesus Christ is not hosted by tour guides. There are a number of displays telling the visitor what took place in the Far West area historically.

Just outside the fenced temple grounds is a great picnic area with several tables under large shade trees. Also there are very clean and well maintained restrooms on site.

Tips and Logistics

1. Park on the right side of the road–the regular parking lot is too small for any cars or van. There is RV parking and a turn around along the dirt side road to the east of the temple lot that is suitable if it has not been raining.
2. Across the street from the temple site is a small Community of Cist church. If it is open, it may have a slide show about Far West. The chapel is built on the site of the Joseph Smith home when he resided in Far West.

Nearby Camping

Watkins Woolen Mill State Park (About an 40 min away)

Features include:

1. Picnic table, fire ring, and grill are available at each site
2. Shower and laundry facilities
3. Playground
4. Water/Electric Sites available
5. Tents and RV’s welcome

Rates:

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:

1. Picnic sites scattered throughout the campground
2. Visitors can fish in the park’s six-acre lake
3. Modern restrooms and hot showers
4. Campground open year-round

Directions

From Watkins Woolen Mill State Park (about 30 min)

1. Head north on Watkins Rd toward NE 184 St/State St
2. Turn right onto NE 184 St/State St
3. 1.5 miles later turn left onto US-69 N
4. Turn right onto MO-116 E
5. After 5.5 mi turn left onto SW State Hwy D
6. Turn right onto NW Far W Dr, the Far West Temple Site will be on the left

From Adam-ondi-Ahman (about 47 min)

1. Take Koala Rd to MO-13 S
2. After 2.8 miles take MO-6 W, State Hwy J and NW State Hwy D to NW far W Dr in Mirabile Township
3. Turn left onto NW Far W Dr, the Far West Temple Site will be on the left

Near by 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 about an hour drive from this location but is surrounded by at least four other sites of interest 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.

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.

Richmond Cemetery

Oliver Cowdery, one of the three witnesses and an early scribe for Joseph Smith, is buried somewhere in this small 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. Other members and pioneers in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are buried here including Jacob Whitmer (one of the eight witnesses). The Church erected a large monument to the three witnesses who saw the plates on which the Book of Mormon was written. ⁴

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.

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.

Notes

1. Barrett, Steve. Grand Sesquicentennial Tour, July 17 to August 7, 1997. BYU Alumni Association Church History Tour.
2. “Revelation, 26 April 1838 [D&C 115],” in Joseph Smith, Journal, March–September 1838, 33, josephsmithpapers.org; see also Doctrine and Covenants 115:7–8.
3. Barrett, Steve. Grand Sesquicentennial Tour, July 17 to August 7, 1997. BYU Alumni Association Church History Tour., page 20