Temple Lot
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 also 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.
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[edit] 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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
[edit] Attempts to build a Temple
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.
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.
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.
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.
[edit] 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.
