The Independence Missouri Visitor Center is a great starting point for all Missouri Church History sites belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At the center you will learn about the experiences of early Latter-day Saint settlers in Missouri and about Jesus Christ, families, latter-day prophets, and the Book of Mormon.
History
Independence, Missouri came about as the Santa Fe trade route began to prosper and as the fur trade began to develop from the Rocky Mountains and sale in the eastern cities. Quick profits from the Santa Fe trade and the fur trade attracted many venturesome persons to Independence. Farmers, gamblers, saloon keepers, merchants, bankers, blacksmiths, carpenters, wagon makers, outfitters, and semiprofessional preachers gathered there.
A missionary for the American Home Missionary Society, representing the Presbyterians and the Congregationalists, reported in 1829 that at Independence, swearing, gambling, drinking, Sabbath breaking, prostitution, horse racing, cockfighting, violence, and general lawlessness were common; and when a wagon train returned or passed through, there was “a multiplication of sin beyond the usual amount.”
Into these conditions the first Latter-day Saint missionaries arrived early in 1813, and families from the church began to settle in Independence late in 1831 and in the years immediately following. It was revealed that this was the place of the City of Zion (New Jerusalem) and specified a spot for the temple not far from the log courthouse (See D&C 57:3). Also a revelation concerning proper Sabbath observance and individual morality was given (See D&C 59). Friction arose between the members of the church and the members of the community, and two years later the Saints were forced by the old settlers to leave. Building the New Jerusalem remained for a future time.
For more than forty years the current Visitors Center has been a main stop for members of the Church of Jesus Christ visiting the historical sites in Missouri. You can get maps and information on other sites to visit in the surrounding areas since most of the other sites are self guided locations.
Present
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Church of Christ-Temple Lot, and the Community of Christ each own some of the 63 acres originally purchased by Bishop Edward Partidge in this area. However, only the Temple Lot group owns the apex of the hill where the site was dedicated on August 3, 1831 for the preparation of a temple. It’s interesting that all three churches value the piece of land that sits not far from the Independence Missouri Visitor Center.
Tips and Logistics
- Admission to the Visitor Center is Free and Tour times are flexible to your needs.
- RV Parking: Great ample parking on site for all sizes of RV’s.
- No overnight camping allowed.
- The opening hours vary by season.
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:
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
- If you choose to see everything that the Visitor Center has to offer, plan to spend about an hour to an hour and a half here.
- Address and Contact Information:
937 West Walnut
Independence, Missouri 64050
816-836-3466
VCIndepend@ldschurch.org
Winter (October-April)
Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Open Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Summer (May-September)
Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Open Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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 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.
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.
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.
Directions
From Liberty Jail (about 25min)
- Take E Mississippi St to N Lightburne St
- Follow MO-291 S and US-24 W to N River Blvd in Independence
- After about 12 miles follow N River Blvd to your destination
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