Independence, Missouri is the headquarters of the Community of Christ (formally known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or “RLDS Church”). This religion traces its beginning to 1860 when Joseph Smith III agreed to take on leadership of the Church. For some time they were located in Nauvoo, Illinois and Lamoni, Iowa, before moving to Independence, Missouri. Several sites of the Church are open to the public in the area.
History
Community of Christ Church History
A number of those associated with the founding of the Community of Christ split from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after the Kirtland period (1831-1835), when they believed Joseph Smith became a “fallen prophet” and began to teach false doctrines. Specifically, this group did not like the doctrine of celestial plural marriage, the organization of the Church, and disagreed with the commercial projects that Joseph started, such as the Kirtland Safety Society.
The church is the second-largest denomination within the Latter-Day Saint movement. The Church had steady growth but in the mid 1990’s fractured into a number of smaller sects. The Community of Christ was unanimously approved for membership by the National Council of Churches in 2010. Today the church sponsors Graceland University. The university was founded in 1895. Graceland was established by, and is affiliated with, the Community of Christ
The Auditorium
As members gathered in Missouri construction began on a massive domed structure called “The Auditorium”. As this project began in 1926–a time influenced by the Great Depression–it took several decades before the project was completed in 1958. Excitement abounded at the completion of this building, and members were eager to use it. Since then, every General Conference and World Conference for the Community of Christ has been held in this vast meeting room.
The Temple
To those who belong to the Community of Christ, April 6 is a special day for several reasons. It was the day Joseph Smith Jr. established the Church of Christ in 1830, the day his son Joseph Smith III was ordained as the president of their current church in 1860, and also the day that marks the breaking of the ground for the long-awaited temple in Independence, Missouri in 1990. By the year 1994, the Temple was officially dedicated for “the pursuit of peace, reconciliation, and healing of the spirit.”
Must See
Organ recitals: From January -May and August- December, the Temple sanctuary is open to the public for 30-minute organ recitals as well as every Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Also note that more recitals are available in the summer months with 30-minute organ recitals every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in the months of June and July (holidays excluded).
Tips and Logistics
- RV Parking: Parking to the east of the temple in on of the marked lots is advised. You can also park that the large Church of Jesus Christ Visitor Center lot to the south.
- Guests should enter at the East entrance of the Temple near the circle drive. Although donations are welcome, entrance and tours are free to the public.
- The Temple is closed on the following days: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thursday through Sunday at Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day.
- Two tour options: A Guide or Self-guided Audio tours are available Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Guided tours are about 30-45 minutes and include both the temple and museum
- Every open day at 1 in the Temple Sanctuary all are invited to attend the Prayer for Peace. This 15-20 minute worship time is devoted to a specific country and its need for peace.
- Scheduling a guided tour is highly recommended by calling Visitor Services at (816) 833-1000, ext. 2030 or by email at rborkowski@cofchrist.org
- For little kids: The Community of Christ has a ‘Peace Pavilion’ which acts as a unique interactive children’s museum designed to teach concepts of peace. Admission is free, though donations are appreciated.
Nearby Camping
Watkins Mill State Park (About 40 minutes 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 (About 1.5hrs away)
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
Near by Attractions
Church of Christ – Temple Lot
Immediately next to the Auditorium and the Community of Christ Temple sits the ‘Temple Lot’. For faiths that believe The Book of Mormon is holy scripture, this plot of land is like the equivalent of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem–a land desired and sought after by all the sects. In his day Joseph Smith Jr. prophesied that a temple would be built at that spot in preparation for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
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.
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.
Haun’s Mill
In the Autumn of 1838, about 75 families from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lived near Haun’s mill. While no more buildings or houses remain today, this location is often visited in memory of the events that transpired there. Haun’s Mill is infamous for the killings of 17 members in what is called ‘the Haun’s Mill Massacre.
Historic Liberty Jail Visitors Center
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 has been called the “temple prison” because of the spiritual development that took place for Joseph Smith and the revelations and understanding that was granted to him during his incarceration.
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.
- Get on I-35 S in Lathrop Township from NW State Hwy D and MO-116 W
- Follow I-35 S and I 435 S to KCMO. Take exit 60 from I-435 S
- Take MO-12 E/E Truman Rd to your destination in Independence
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.
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.
Directions
From Adam-ondi-Ahman (About 1 h 22 min)
- Get on I-35 S in Colfax Township from MO-13 S, MO-6 W and US-699 S
- Continue on I-35 S to KCMO. Take exit 60 from I-435 S
- Follow MO-12 E/E Truman Rd to your destination in Independence
From Haun’s Mill (About 1 h 21 min)
- Take State Hwy F to MO-13 S
- Turn left onto MO-13 S
- Get on I-35 S in Lathrop Township
- Continue on I-35 S. Take I-435 S to W Maple Ave in Independence
- Stay on W Maple Ave until you reach your destination
Historic Liberty Jail Visitors Center (About 20 min)
- Take E Mississippi St to N Lightburne St
- From MO-291 S and US-24 W to N River Blvd in Independence
- Follow N River Blvd to your destination
Far West Temple Site (About 1 hour)
- Get on I-35 S in Lathrop Township from NW State Hwy D and MO-116 W
- Follow I-35 S and I 435 S to KCMO. Take exit 60 from I-435 S
- Take MO-12 E/E Truman Rd to your destination in Independence
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