The succession crisis in the Latter Day Saint movement occurred after the killing of the movement's founder , Joseph Smith , on June 27, 1844.
159-622: The Temple Lot , located in Independence, Missouri , is the first site to be dedicated for the construction of a temple in the Latter Day Saint movement . The area was dedicated on August 3, 1831, by the movement's founder, Joseph Smith . It was purchased on December 19, 1831, by Edward Partridge to be the center of the New Jerusalem or " City of Zion " after Smith said he received a revelation stating that it would be
318-691: A High Council , a body consisting of twelve men, headed by the First Presidency. The High Council took on the role of chief judicial and legislative body of the church, handling such matters as excommunication trials and approval of all church spending. Several months later, on July 3, 1834, the High Council of Zion was organized in Far West , Missouri . This council is also known as the Presiding High Council , for it
477-673: A New Jerusalem was to be established in the United States. In June 1831, Smith said he had a second revelation that the New Jerusalem was to be established somewhere on the western border of Missouri, "on the borders by the Lamanites [Native Americans]". Independence is six miles (10 km) east of Kaw Point on the Missouri– Kansas border, which formed the north–south line west of which all tribes were to be removed in
636-577: A prophet called by God. When he was mortally wounded by assassins in 1856, he refused to name a successor, leaving the matter in God's hands. When no prophet appeared, the bulk of his church dissolved, though a few loyal congregations remain today. Many of the Latter Day Saints who remained in the Midwest, including Strang, believed that one or more of Joseph Smith's sons would eventually lead
795-598: A spot west of the Courthouse Square to be the place for his prophesied temple of the New Jerusalem , in expectation of the Second Coming of Christ . Tension grew with local Missourians until the Latter Day Saints were driven from the area in 1833, the beginning of a conflict which culminated in the 1838 Mormon War . Several branches of this movement gradually returned to the city beginning in 1867, with many making their headquarters there. These include
954-558: A temple in Independence , and also maintains a large auditorium and other buildings nearby. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operates a sizable visitors' center adjacent to the Community of Christ Temple, and across the street from the original Temple Lot designated by Joseph Smith in 1830. The Lot itself is occupied by a small white-frame church building that serves as the headquarters and local meeting house for
1113-520: A "Grand Council," perhaps an adaptation of the Council of Fifty . Also at the conference, the new church organization formally returned its name to the 1830 church's original name, the " Church of Christ ." After this group disorganized, William Bickerton re-organized the church today known as The Church of Jesus Christ . The majority of Latter Day Saints in the Nauvoo area accepted the leadership of
1272-534: A Conference Center. It was burned by arson along with an estimated 200 homes belonging to Latter Day Saints on November 5, 1833. In July 1898, 46-year-old William David Creighton "W.D.C." Pattyson, reportedly a suspended member of the RLDS Church from Boston, Massachusetts , was arrested and briefly detained after attempting to remove a fence placed around the Temple Lot. (Mr. Pattyson had been baptized into
1431-447: A descent every way from the house, so far as to divide the distance between this house, and the one next to it. On the top of the foundation, above the embankment, let there be two rows of hewn stone, and then commence the brick-work on the hewn stone. The entire height of the house is to be twenty-eight feet, each story being fourteen feet; make the wall a sufficient thickness for a house of this size. The end view represents five windows of
1590-427: A female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.1% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37, and the average family size was 2.97. The median age in the city was 39.4 years. 23% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between
1749-471: A female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37, and the average family size was 2.93. In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
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#17327724062161908-695: A four-year term, beginning on January 1 following the election. The current mayor is Rory Rowland, a Democrat , elected in 2022. The Independence Municipal Court is currently seated by two members. Judges are appointed by the City Mayor and serve a 4-year term. Judges may be reappointed for multiple terms by the Mayor or the City Council. Four school districts have areas within the city: Independence , Blue Springs , Fort Osage Schools, and Raytown . Prior to Fall 2008, parts of western Independence in
2067-473: A lack of funds, this organization managed to purchase the Temple Lot itself, erecting its first house of worship on it in 1882. On June 9, 1887, the RLDS Church laid claim to the entire 63-acre (250,000 m) greater Temple Lot, including that portion purchased in 1867 by the Church of Christ (Temple Lot), after acquiring the deed for the property from the heirs of Oliver Cowdery . The only contested portion of
2226-453: A leader or a prophet to this Church, which (ordination) was on condition that he (J. Smith) did not live to God himself". Upon forming the High Council, Smith stated "if he should be taken away that he had accomplished the great work which the Lord had laid before him, and that which he had desired of the Lord, and that he now had done his duty in organizing the High Council, through which Council
2385-431: A margin of error of +/- $ 1,935) and the median family income was $ 64,271 (+/- $ 2,089). Males had a median income of $ 40,007 (+/- $ 1,690) versus $ 26,762 (+/- $ 1,098) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $ 32,462 (+/- $ 1,353). Approximately, 11.2% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line , including 23.3% of those under the age of 18 and 7.1% of those ages 65 or over. As of
2544-616: A month after Joseph and Hyrum were murdered. The last of Joseph Smith's surviving brothers, William Smith , initially claimed the right to succeed his brothers only as Presiding Patriarch. Much later, after breaking with several Latter Day Saint factions, he exercised his own claim to the presidency of the church, with little result. William alleged that Samuel was poisoned at the behest of Young. Young, however, denied any involvement, noting that he did not even know of Joseph's death for three or four weeks afterwards, some time after Samuel's. No physical evidence exists that suggests that Samuel
2703-641: A new Mormon prophet to succeed Smith. Strang claimed to commune with angels and that he found and translated supposedly ancient records engraved upon metal plates , just as Smith had. Some prominent Latter Day Saints believed in the Letter of Appointment and accepted Strang as the church's second "Prophet, Seer, Revelator, and Translator." One such follower was William Smith, Joseph's last surviving brother; he had asked to be ordained Presiding Patriarch in May 1845 and subsequently claimed that his ordination meant he should be
2862-401: A physical metamorphosis of Brigham Young into the form and voice of Joseph Smith" and that "[w]hen 8 August 1844 is stripped of emotional overlay, there is not a shred of irrefutable contemporary evidence to support the occurrence of a mystical event either in the morning or afternoon gatherings of that day." Esplin, on the other hand, argues that "[t]hough there is no contemporary diary account,
3021-476: A population of 111,806 in 1980 and 112,301 in 1990. The racial makeup of the city was 91.87% White , 2.59% African American , 0.70% Asian , 0.64% Native American , 0.46% Pacific Islander , 1.43% from other races , and 2.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.69% of the population. There were 47,390 households, out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 12.3% had
3180-494: A power not my own, and shall be dictated by the power that sent me. Joseph Smith's widow Emma, as well as Joseph III's two brothers, affiliated with this organization. A decade later the group added the word Reorganized to the official church name to distinguish it from the much larger group in Utah. For a time until the start of the twentieth century, leaders of both this group and the Utah group were Smith first cousins. The church
3339-544: A recess of two and a half hours. When the conference resumed, Young spoke, emphasizing the idea that no man could ever replace Smith. However, he stated that the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had all the "keys of the priesthood" that Smith had held. He answered Rigdon’s proposal to be named "guardian" by claiming that Rigdon and Smith had become estranged in recent years. Rather than a single guardian, Young proposed that
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#17327724062163498-656: A separate sect of the church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , which excommunicated Young and most of the Twelve. At the General Conference of October 6–7, 1844, the Quorum of the Twelve presided as the church's highest authority for the first time; Young was sustained as "the president of the quorum of the Twelve, as one of the Twelve and first presidency of the church." The saints did not sustain Marks as president of
3657-409: A son who was to be named "David" and would "make his mark in the world". There are reports a patriarchal blessing given to Joseph Smith III, naming the young Joseph as Smith's successor. Cowdery had been the "Second Elder" of the church after Smith, and until the time of his excommunication held the keys of the dispensation with Joseph. In addition, he was with Smith at all the important events of
3816-593: A statement allegedly signed by William Smith; Joseph Smith's mother, Lucy Mack Smith ; and three of Joseph's sisters, certifying that "the Smith family do believe in the appointment of J. J. Strang." However, Smith's mother addressed the saints at the October 1844 General Conference and stated that she hoped all her children would accompany the saints to the West, and if they did she would go. Young then said: "We have extended
3975-460: A stone as the northeast cornerstone of the anticipated temple. On December 19, 1831, Edward Partidge purchased 63 acres (250,000 m), including the Temple Lot. During the purchase, Smith was to reveal: "The temple shall be reared in this generation, for verily this generation shall not pass away until an house shalt be built unto the Lord and a cloud shall rest upon it." Because no temple at this location has ever been built, Smith's prediction that
4134-437: A temple of its own on the property, which has been the only attempt to erect such a structure since the time of Joseph Smith. This body has its headquarters on the site, which has twice been damaged by arson attacks. The Temple Lot church has insisted since about 1976 (when final attempts at conciliation by the RLDS Church took place) that it will not cooperate with other Latter Day Saint or Christian denominations in building
4293-517: A temple would be reared "in this generation" has stirred debate. In June 1833, Smith set out the Plat of Zion , which laid out how the community was to be structured. At the center of the planned city were to be 24 "temples" — 12 for the high priesthood and 12 for lesser priesthood . The specific name for the temple to be built on Temple Lot was "The House of the Lord for the Presidency" which had
4452-528: A temple, nor will it sell the Lot, regardless of any price that might conceivably be offered. Some members of other Latter Day Saint groups have described the Temple Lot church as "'squatters' on the location," but that organization steadfastly defends its right to possess the property as its physical and spiritual "custodian". The Community of Christ (formerly the RLDS Church), the second-largest church within
4611-425: A title unanimously supported by the other founding members of the church. However, as the church was "organized" rather than legally " incorporated ", its property needed to be held in trust by a trustee; Smith became the church's Trustee-in-Trust. Initially, the highest leadership position in the Church of Christ was that of " elder ", and church elders were sometimes called " apostles ". Smith's initial title in
4770-518: Is disagreement as to whether his clothes changed, his face changed, his voice changed, or whether he just seemed like Smith in mannerism. There is disagreement between the accounts as to whether Young started talking with Smith's voice or whether his voice changed during the speech. There is disagreement as to whether everyone saw the transformation, or whether only a few people saw it. There is also disagreement as to whether this change happened directly after Rigdon's morning speech, or whether it happened in
4929-453: Is located there. Other Latter Day Saint denominations headquartered in the city include the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) and the Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite) , among others. A number of Restoration Branches are also located in and around Independence, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains a visitor center in the town. The Community of Christ has built
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5088-501: Is south of Truman Rd. between Memorial Dr. and Lynn St., between City Hall and the Independence Square. This twinning is commemorated by a Zen garden , near E Lexington Ave. and Memorial Dr. Independence Power & Light (IPL) is a local electric power plant owned and operated by the city. It was established in 1901 and has undergone many changes and upgrades. One change was moving from the old Dodgion Street plant (where
5247-422: Is ten feet too far east, and if you will move the stakes then it shall stand upon the place that has been pointed out by the finger of God." Excavations revealed the stones originally buried by Joseph Smith, in line with the survey markers. These two stones are in the Temple Lot headquarters building, while their original position is marked by two other engraved stones embedded visibly in the lot. The outer corners of
5406-580: Is the county seat of Jackson County, Missouri , United States. It is a satellite city of Kansas City, Missouri , and is the largest suburb on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metropolitan area . In 2020 , it had a total population of 123,011, making it the fifth-most populous city in Missouri . Independence is known as the "Queen City of the Trails" because it was a point of departure for
5565-508: Is the head; thus there would be no schism or jarring. But the Twelve would attend to their duties in the world and not meddle with the government of the church at home[,] and the High Council in Zion and the first Presidency would attend to their business in the same place." However, Marks supported the claims of Rigdon. The Quorum of the Twelve were originally ordained to be traveling ministers and had been delegated leadership of outlying areas of
5724-618: Is to be in the east end, and a bell of very large size. In July 1833, Mormon leader W. W. Phelps published a copy of a Missouri law setting out requirements for free blacks to come to Missouri in The Evening and the Morning Star , a prominent Mormon newspaper. The Latter Day Saints had been experiencing considerable friction with their neighbors in Jackson County prior to this event, but Phelps's publication proved to be
5883-596: Is to give revelations, I will tell you. It is I". While these events were going on in Nauvoo, another successor of Smith began to exercise his claim in the church's outlying branches in Illinois, Michigan , Indiana and Wisconsin . Although he was a recent convert (baptized in February 1844), James J. Strang posed a strong, determined, and initially quite successful challenge to the claims of Young and Rigdon. Strang
6042-632: Is water. The 2020 United States census counted 123,011 people, 48,836 households, and 28,955 families in Independence. The population density was 1,577.7 per square mile (609.2/km ). There were 54,120 housing units at an average density of 694.1 units per square mile (268.0 units/km ). The racial makeup (including Hispanics in the racial counts) was 72.61% (89,323) white , 8.68% (10,678) black or African-American , 0.76% (936) Native American , 1.19% (1,468) Asian , 0.67% (826) Pacific Islander , 5.52% (6,795) from other races , and 10.56% (12,985) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race
6201-535: Is wisdom, that they may obtain it for an everlasting inheritance. Smith's vision of acquiring every tract of land between Independence and the Kansas border would draw the ire of non–Latter Day Saint settlers throughout Jackson County , including downtown Kansas City . On August 3, 1831, Smith, Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon , Peter Whitmer Jr. , Frederick G. Williams , W. W. Phelps , Martin Harris , and Joseph Coe laid
6360-556: The 1838 Mormon War . In March 1839, Smith—whose surrender to the State Militia at Far West ended the conflict—told his followers to "sell all the land in Jackson county, and all other lands in the state whatsoever". The Temple Lot was sold to Martin Harris, but Harris did not record the deed. A legend prevalent amongst membership of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) is that an ancient convocation of Native Americans took place at
6519-678: The California , Oregon , and Santa Fe Trails . It is the hometown of U.S. President Harry S. Truman , with the Truman Presidential Library and Museum , and the gravesites of Truman and First Lady Bess Truman . The city is sacred to the Latter Day Saint movement , as the home of Joseph Smith 's 1831 Temple Lot , and the headquarters of several Mormon denominations. Independence was originally inhabited by Missouri and Osage Native Americans, followed by
Temple Lot - Misplaced Pages Continue
6678-587: The California Trail ended in disaster, spawning one of the most well known and taboo stories of pioneer-era America. Named after the Declaration of Independence , Independence was founded on March 29, 1827, and quickly became an important frontier town . Independence was the farthest point westward on the Missouri River where the steamboats or other cargo vessels could travel, due to
6837-613: The Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) , the Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite) and the Restoration Branches . Independence saw great prosperity from the late 1830s through the mid-1840s, while the business of outfitting pioneers boomed. Between 1848 and 1868, it was a hub of the California Trail . On March 8, 1849,
6996-448: The Community of Christ ). Prior to the death of Joseph Smith, the First Presidency had made nearly all the major decisions and led the church both naturally and spiritually. On June 1, 1841, Sidney Rigdon had been ordained by Joseph Smith as a "Prophet, Seer and Revelator" —which was one of the same ecclesiastical titles held by Smith. The Church of Jesus Christ maintains that as First Counselor to Smith, Rigdon should naturally have been
7155-635: The Great Basin in what is now Utah . In 1847, Brigham Young and the other Apostles formed a new First Presidency . Young, who had already been sustained as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles , thus became the president of what is now known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), the largest sect of Mormonism by a factor of fifty (with 16,118,169 members worldwide, as of December 31, 2017). His two counselors were Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards ,
7314-572: The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum are both located in Independence, as is one of Truman's boyhood residences. Independence is located on the south bank of the Missouri River , near the western edge of the state. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 78.25 square miles (202.67 km ), of which 77.57 square miles (200.91 km ) is land and 0.68 square miles (1.76 km )
7473-467: The Indian Removal Act of 1830. On July 20, 1831, Smith presented another revelation on the subject, with more precise details: "[T]he land of Missouri ... is the land which I have appointed and consecrated for the gathering of the saints: wherefore this is the land of promise, and the place for the city of Zion. ... Behold the place which is now called Independence is the center place, and
7632-611: The Missouri General Assembly granted a home-rule charter to the town and on July 18, 1849, William McCoy was elected as its first mayor. In the mid-19th century an Act of the United States Congress defined Independence as the start of the Oregon Trail . Two important Civil War battles occurred at Independence: the first on August 11, 1862, when Confederate soldiers took control of
7791-530: The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles , either immediately or within the following two decades. In 1846, this group was forced to leave their homes and the newly built Mormon temple in Nauvoo because of mounting conflict and persecutions (the temple was destroyed two years later, in October 1848). The saints began to migrate west, though slowly at first because of the harsh winters; the wagon trains halted at Winter Quarters, Nebraska before eventually leaving to settle in
7950-465: The Salt Lake Valley and could not have known of the proceedings. This left just seven present, a majority of one meaning Young would have to vote for himself in order to gain a majority quorum vote in favor of his leadership. Young chose two of the other apostles, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards , as his counselors in the First Presidency. This left only four members of the Quorum of
8109-540: The Smoky Hills Wind Farm (a wind turbine facility) in Kansas. Succession crisis (Latter Day Saints) For roughly six months after Smith's death, several people competed to take over his role, the leading contenders being Sidney Rigdon , Brigham Young , and James Strang . The majority of the Latter Day Saint movement elected to follow Young's leadership, which eventually resulted in
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#17327724062168268-623: The United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri to take possession of the property. It won in that court, but lost in the United States Court of Appeals . The United States Supreme Court refused to review the case. The Temple Lot is owned by the small Church of Christ (Temple Lot), which acquired the land in 1867. This organization made a failed effort in 1929 to build
8427-486: The census of 2010, there were 116,830 people, 48,742 households, and 30,165 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,506.1 inhabitants per square mile (581.5/km ). There were 53,834 housing units at an average density of 694.0 units per square mile (268.0 units/km ). The racial makeup of the city was There were 48,742 households, of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 13.9% had
8586-416: The poverty line , including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over. Independence played an important role in the early history of the Latter Day Saint movement and is home to the headquarters of several separatist denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement , most notably the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), whose Temple
8745-480: The 1840s in Smith's absence. Another possibility for succession was the Council of Fifty , a group of trusted men, some of them non-Mormon, who campaigned for Smith's 1844 run for president, and sought the establishment of a theocratic government. Rigdon had moved to Pennsylvania in order to legally run as vice president. In a meeting of the Council of Fifty in the spring of 1844, Smith told those with him, “I roll
8904-757: The 2.5-acre (1.0 ha) section, although numerous important structures exist on the 63.5-acre (25.7 ha) section, such as the United Nations Peace Plaza , the Community of Christ Auditorium , the Truman Railroad Depot , the LDS Visitors Center , the Community of Christ Temple , a stake center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), and the Six Nations Tree of Peace . The city of Independence, Missouri, became important to
9063-593: The Church and under serious persecution, Rigdon returned to Pennsylvania. The actual authority of the Common Council of the Church to execute this action is a controversial topic between many organizations within the Latter Day Saint movement . Rigdon had been stationed in Pennsylvania in order to run for vice president along with Joseph Smith. Rigdon toured the eastern branches of the church in late 1844 and early 1845, gathering leaders to his cause. He
9222-513: The Church of Christ (Temple Lot). There are five Catholic churches and several Episcopal churches in Independence. One of the oldest churches in Independence is the First Presbyterian Church, founded in 1826. It was here in 1890 that Harry Truman first met Elizabeth (Bess) Wallace. Truman eventually married her after his return from World War I in 1919. According to the town's 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,
9381-634: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on April 6. Smith III stated at that conference in Amboy, Illinois : I would say to you, brethren, as I hope you may be, and in faith I trust you are, as a people that God has promised his blessings upon, I came not here of myself, but by the influence of the Spirit. For some time past I have received manifestations pointing to the position which I am about to assume. I wish to say that I have come here not to be dictated by any men or set of men. I have come in obedience to
9540-515: The Elijah Message . Although the Temple Lot church solicited donations for its proposed temple from individuals and even from other Latter Day Saint organizations, little money was forthcoming (none from the other organizations), and construction never progressed beyond excavating for the structure's foundation. This unsightly hole was filled in by the city of Independence in 1946, after the Temple Lot church had finally abandoned all efforts on
9699-497: The First Presidency, the (Presiding) Nauvoo High Council was the church's chief non-travelling legislative and judicial council. Originally, the Council outranked the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, at least at the organized stakes. Marks, president of the Nauvoo Stake , was also president of the High Council at the time of Smith's death. Emma Hale Smith urged Marks to succeed her late husband as President and Trustee-in-Trust of
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#17327724062169858-459: The First Presidency. On December 18, 1833, Smith created the office of " Patriarch over the Church " and ordained his father, Joseph Smith Sr. , to fill the role. The "Presiding Patriarch", as the office came to be called, often presided over church meetings and was sometimes sustained at church conferences ahead of all other church officers. Two months later, in Kirtland , Ohio , Smith created
10017-466: The Hedrickite sect in May 1898). According to his detractors in the Temple Lot sect, Pattyson reportedly demanded that church officials sign ownership of the property over to him, claiming he was the " One Mighty and Strong ". He was detained by police but then released a few days later. Early on Monday, September 5, 1898, he damaged the tiny headquarters building by setting it afire, and then walked to
10176-474: The High Councils of outlying stakes, under the direction of the First Presidency. Latter Day Saint scripture finalized in 1835 indicated that the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve, and Standing Presiding High Council were equal in authority, though remaining subordinate "under the direction of the Presidency of the Church." This coequality would become a driving force for the succession of Marks to
10335-562: The Latter Day Saint movement starting in the autumn of 1830, only a few months after the religion was incorporated in the state of New York in April 1830. The movement's founder, Joseph Smith, said he received revelations designating this city as the "Center Place" of "Zion", and many early adherents apparently believed that the Garden of Eden had been located there—including later LDS Church leaders Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball , who said he
10494-458: The Latter Day Saints to gather there. He and his hierarchy were excommunicated by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in Nauvoo and vice versa. By 1850, Strang and most of his followers had relocated to Beaver Island, Michigan , where Strang was shot by dissenters on June 16, 1856, and died shortly thereafter. Most of his followers then joined with Joseph Smith III and the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church; now called
10653-403: The Lord had now accepted his labors and sacrifices, and did not require him any longer to carry the responsibilities and burden and bearing off of this kingdom, and turning to those around him, including the 12, he said, 'And in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I now place it upon you my brethren of the council (of 50) and I shake my skirts clear from all responsibility from this time forth.'" At
10812-499: The Midwest coalesced behind the leadership of Jason W. Briggs , Zenas H. Gurley , William Marks and others. In the late 1850s, they proposed a more solid church structure, sometimes referred to in contemporary sources as the New Organization, and like other Latter Day Saint groups asked Joseph Smith III to be their president. Smith III refused to lead any church unless he felt inspired to do so. By 1860, he reported that he had received such inspiration and became Prophet/President of
10971-450: The Nauvoo Stake, sustaining John Smith in his place. At this conference, Young also addressed the issue of revelation . More specifically, did revelations cease with Smith's death, or, if not, who would receive and publish them? He indicated his own uncertainty concerning the subject, concluding, "Every member has the right of receiving revelations for themselves, both male and female." Then he elaborated: "If you don't know whose right it
11130-406: The Nauvoo church. Many of Young's followers would later reminisce that while Young spoke he looked and sounded similar to Smith, which they attributed to the power of God. Jorgensen establishes 101 written testimonies of people who say a transformation or spiritual manifestation occurred, some of whom were not in Nauvoo at the time. The exact details vary from one account to the next. There
11289-438: The President of the Church, because of Hyrum Smith's position as both Presiding Patriarch and Associate President. Others included Book of Mormon witness Martin Harris, former Nauvoo Stake President William Marks, Second Bishop of the Church and church trustee-in-trust George Miller, Apostle John E. Page , former Apostle William E. M'Lellin , and John C. Bennett (excommunicated by Joseph Smith). Strang's newspaper printed
11448-415: The Quorum of Twelve. Young tried diligently to persuade the people that he alone held the rights to lead the church. He even went so far as to ride through the streets on Smith's favorite horse, which was named Joe Duncan. At the conference on August 8, Rigdon spoke first to the assembled, asking the saints to confirm his role as "guardian." To back his claim, he cited his long relationship with Smith and
11607-431: The Quorum of the Twelve be named the church's leadership. Rigdon declined an offer to rebut Young, asking W. W. Phelps to speak for him. Instead, Phelps spoke in favor of Young's proposal. The assembled church members then voted by common consent on whether or not to accept the Twelve as the new leaders over the church. The majority voted in favor of the Twelve. Those who opposed the vote were all later excommunicated from
11766-816: The Roger T. Sermon Center stands now) to the Blue Valley Plant near Truman Rd. and MO-78/Lake City-Buckner Rd. IPL also draws power from other sources: the Missouri City Power Plant, and the Kansas City Power and Light Company (KCP&L), through several 69 and 161 kilovolt transmission interconnections. IPL has an "Out of Sight" power line burial program. After signing an agreement with TradeWind Energy in July 2008, IPL will begin purchasing annually 15 megawatts of renewable energy from
11925-554: The Spanish and a brief French tenure. It became part of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Lewis and Clark recorded in their journals that they stopped in 1804 to pick plums, raspberries, and wild apples at a site that would later form part of the city. Independence was also a stopping point for the " Donner Party ", an ill-fated group of 19th-century wagon train emigrants whose westward journey along
12084-609: The Stakes. Initially, the Quorum was subordinate to the High Council of Zion; for example, in 1838, when vacancies arose in the quorum, it was the Standing Presiding High Council at Far West that filled the vacancies. When the High Council in Zion was dissolved after the church was expelled from Missouri , the headquarters of the church were moved to Nauvoo , Illinois , There, Smith formed a new Presiding High Council, led by William Marks , which supervised
12243-443: The Temple Lot. Fetting's claim was officially endorsed by the leading quorum of the church and by most of the laity , and ground was broken on April 6, 1929, with instructions that the temple was to be completed within seven years. The proposed structure was to be 180 feet (55 m) in length 90 feet (27 m) in width. After staking out a portion of the ground, an angel purportedly appeared to say: "The building that you have staked
12402-580: The Twelve Apostles consisted of: William E. M'Lellin , George W. Robinson , Benjamin Winchester , James Blakeslee, Josiah Ells, Hugh Herringshaw, David L. Lathrop, Jeremiah Hatch Jr., E.R. Swackhammer, William Small, Samuel Bennett. Carvel Rigdon became Presiding Patriarch , and a Standing High Council , Quorum of the Seventy , Presiding Bishopric , and other quorum presidencies were established. In addition, Rigdon called seventy-three men and boys to
12561-487: The Twelve Apostles and did not consider himself amenable to their counsel". The Twelve then disfellowshipped Rigdon, on grounds of "Making a Division in the Church [by] ordaining Prophet, Priests & Kings contrary to the Say [way?] of God". He was excommunicated in absentia by the Common Council of the Church on September 8. Rigdon, claiming that Young's supporters had threatened his life, fled from Nauvoo and established
12720-467: The Twelve a greater role in governing the church, charging them with running the organization's "temporal business" and elevating their role and status far beyond the what was established in the Doctrine and Covenants. In particular, at an August 16, 1841 conference, he stated that "the time had come when the twelve should be called upon to stand in their place next to the first presidency , and attend to
12879-416: The Twelve present to vote in favor of creation of the new First Presidency: Orson Hyde , Wilford Woodruff , George A. Smith , and Orson Pratt . The Church of Jesus Christ views this action as a violation of church law compromising the authority of Sidney Rigdon without a majority quorum vote. The LDS Church actively opposes this view of the proceedings. After his excommunication by the Common Council of
13038-403: The Twelve returned to Nauvoo; the next day, they met with Rigdon, who repeated his claim to become the guardian of the Church. Young responded by claiming Smith had conferred the right of succession (priesthood keys) upon himself and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles . So while historically the First Presidency had previously led the Church, Young proposed an ad hoc Presidency of the Church in
13197-475: The Van Horn feeder pattern resided in the Kansas City, Missouri School District , but all of these students are now part of the Independence school district. Three public high schools are located within the city limits: Two private high schools within the city limits: Santa-Cali-Gon Days is an annual Labor Day festival held in Independence intermittently since 1940 and continuously since 1973, celebrating
13356-487: The a spot for the temple is lying westward upon a lot which is not far from the court house: wherefore it is wisdom that the land should be purchased by the saints; and also every tract lying westward, even unto the line [the Missouri-Kansas border] running directly between Jew [Native Americans] and Gentile. And also every tract bordering by the prairies, inasmuch as my disciples are enabled to buy lands. Behold this
13515-428: The administrative and ecclesiastical organization of the new church evolved from an egalitarian group of believers into an institution based on hierarchy of priesthood offices. This gradual change was driven by both the growth in church membership and the evolution of Smith's role as leader of the church. Prior to the formal establishment of the Church of Christ, Smith held the title of " Prophet, Seer, and Revelator ",
13674-401: The affairs of the late Trustee-in-Trust, Joseph Smith, and be prepared to enter upon the duties as Trustees of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ." Meanwhile, Rigdon did not abandon his claims and began organizing supporters in Nauvoo. The Twelve Apostles discovered that Rigdon was undermining their authority; on September 3, 1844, Rigdon claimed "he had power and authority above
13833-522: The afternoon after the recess. The earliest reference, provided by Quinn, is the 15 November 1844 Henry and Catharine Brooke statement referring generally to Young bearing the greatest resemblance to Smith. However, Jorgensen concedes, “why were none of the accounts that record the miracle written on the day of the manifestation or shortly thereafter? It is a question that unfortunately cannot be answered definitively." Van Wagoner argues there are no known contemporary records of "an explicit transfiguration,
13992-497: The ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 27.4% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 113,288 people, 47,390 households, and 30,566 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,446.3 inhabitants per square mile (558.4/km ). There were 50,213 housing units at an average density of 641.1 units per square mile (247.5 units/km ). Independence has
14151-497: The burthen [burden] and responsibility of leading this Church off from my shoulders on to yours ... Now, round up your shoulders and stand under it like men; for the Lord is going to let me rest a while”. Benjamin F. Johnson , a member of the Fifty but not the Twelve, recalled that Smith rose and spoke "in the presence of the Quorum of the Twelve and others who were encircled about him." According to Wilford Woodruff , Joseph "said that
14310-532: The career of the human family." Since Smith never issued an official revelation to the effect that Independence and the Temple Lot were the site of the Garden of Eden, Latter Day Saints (other than some adherents of the LDS Church) traditionally do not formally accept this claim as doctrine. While Smith later issued a revelation indicating a spot named Adam-ondi-Ahman (fifty miles to the north of Independence) as
14469-508: The church headquarters, conference site, museum and a meetinghouse for the local Temple Lot congregation. A small museum operated by the Temple Lot church is located in the lower story of the headquarters building on the Lot; it contains some of the original stones placed by Joseph Smith to mark the corners of his intended temple, and also offers church books and literature for sale. [REDACTED] Media related to Temple Lot at Wikimedia Commons Independence, Missouri Independence
14628-466: The church was "First Elder", while his friend and associate, Oliver Cowdery , was given the title "Second Elder". In March 1832, Smith created a quorum of three presidents known as the First Presidency . He became president of the First Presidency, a title which became associated with the office of " President of the Church ", with Sidney Rigdon and Jesse Gause serving as his counselors in
14787-470: The church, and articulated her argument thusly: "Now as the Twelve have no power with regard to the government of the Church in the Stakes of Zion, but the High Council have all power, so it follows that on removal of the first President, the office would devolve upon the President of the High Council in Zion, as the first President always resides there, and that is the proper place for the quorum of which he
14946-431: The church. The church had published a revelation in 1841 stating "I say unto my servant Joseph, In thee, and in thy seed, shall the kindred of the earth be blessed", and this was widely interpreted as endorsing the concept of Lineal Succession . Accounts written after Smith's death indicate that Smith set apart his son as his successor at certain private meetings and public gatherings, including Liberty and Nauvoo. Within
15105-684: The city's heritage as a starting point of three major frontier trails: the Santa Fe , California , and Oregon . Another popular annual festival is the Vaile Strawberry Festival, which is held on the first Saturday of June at the Vaile Mansion, 1500 N. Liberty, five blocks north of the historic Square. The Independence Heritage Festival is a celebration of the diverse culture that exist in Independence. The Independence town square features numerous family-owned shops surrounding
15264-665: The convergence of the Kansas River with the Missouri River approximately six miles west of town, near the current Kansas -Missouri border. Independence immediately became a jumping-off point for the emerging fur trade , accommodating merchants and adventurers beginning the long trek westward on the Santa Fe Trail. In 1831, members of the Latter Day Saint movement began moving to the Jackson County, Missouri area. Shortly thereafter, founder Joseph Smith declared
15423-412: The directions of the angel that appeared to our prophet, Joseph Smith, and told him this is the spot of ground on which the New Jerusalem is to be built, and, when finished, Christ Jesus is to make his reappearance and dwell in this city of New Jerusalem with the saints for a thousand years, at the end of which time there will be a new deal with reference to the nations of the earth, and the final wind-up of
15582-503: The early church's doctrines of continuing revelation through the mouth of a living prophet. In the August 8, 1844, conference, Young had emphasized that no single man could replace Smith as prophet. Young subsequently used the Times and Seasons newspaper to announce to the church, "You no longer have a prophet, but you have apostles ." Strang, by contrast, announced that there was, indeed,
15741-483: The early church. Like Hyrum later, Joseph had ordained Cowdery as the Assistant President of the Church and had given him authority "to assist in presiding over the whole Church and to officiate in the absence of the President". However, Cowdery was excommunicated on April 12, 1838. David Whitmer had been ordained President of the High Council of Zion, and Joseph had blessed him on July 7, 1834, "to be
15900-451: The east end of the house. The west end is to have no doors, but in other respects is to be like the east, except the windows are to be opposite the alleys which run east and west. The roof of the house is to have one-fourth pitch, the door to have Gothic top, the same as the windows. The shingles of the roof to be painted before they are put on. There is to be a fanlight, as you see. The windows and doors are all to have venetian blinds. A belfry
16059-415: The establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), but several smaller Latter Day Saint churches emerged from the succession crisis. This significant event in early Latter Day Saint history precipitated several permanent schisms . The Church of Christ was organized by a small group of men led by Joseph Smith on April 6, 1830. Between that time and Smith's death in 1844,
16218-490: The eventual site of the Temple Lot, and representatives of different tribes each left a stone on a pile. A description of this legend was published in 2015 in two installments of the church publication Zion's Advocate . Lilburn Boggs , Governor of Missouri during the Mormon War, lived in Independence prior to that conflict. Boggs was widely perceived as a vehement "anti-Mormon", having issued his " extermination order " in
16377-401: The fact that he was the only surviving member of the First Presidency, arguing that Smith had sent him to Pennsylvania to prevent the entire presidency from being killed in the ongoing conflict. The move to Pennsylvania also occurred so Rigdon could be Smith's running mate for president, as the vice president cannot run from the same state. After Rigdon spoke for ninety minutes, Young called for
16536-588: The fall of 1838, and the Latter Day Saints blamed him for much of the difficulties and sorrows they had been forced to endure. Following the war, and after he left office, Boggs settled in a house located three blocks east of Temple Lot on the City of Zion plot. On the evening of May 6, 1842, while sitting in his home, he was shot in the head by an unknown assailant. Though badly wounded, Boggs survived. Mormons were suspected, and Smith associate Porter Rockwell
16695-529: The first time, the Twelve now took a leadership role within the organized stakes, "superintending the affairs of the church" as a whole, and standing "next to the first presidency." Beyond this, Smith admitted many of the Twelve to the Council of Fifty , his closest body of political advisers, and the Anointed Quorum , his closest body of theological advisers. Young, in particular, became one of Smith's closest confidants, and occasionally took charge during
16854-431: The following description: The house of the Lord for the Presidency, is eighty-seven feet long and sixty-one feet wide, and ten feet taken off of the east end for the stairway, leaves the inner court, seventy-eight feet by sixty-one, which is calculated and divided for seats in the following manner, viz: the two aisles four feet wide each; the middle block of pews are eleven feet ten inches long, and three feet wide each; and
17013-426: The gathering spot of the Latter Day Saints during the last days . The most prominent 2.5-acre (1.0 ha) section of the Temple Lot is an open, grass-covered field occupied in its northeast corner by a few trees and the headquarters of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) , which is not considered a temple by adherents of that sect. No other structures (with the exception of monuments, markers and signposts ) exist on
17172-493: The growing use of automobiles, the building of a new County Court building in Independence, and a series of 12 Madonna of the Trail monuments to pioneer women dedicated across the country in 1928 and 1929. He would later return to the city after two terms as president. His wife, First Lady Bess Truman , was born and raised in Independence, and both are buried there. The Harry S. Truman National Historic Site (Truman's home) and
17331-559: The helping hand to Mother Smith. She has the best carriage in the city, and, while she lives, shall ride in it when and where she pleases". Whether she shifted her support from Young to Strang in the year following that October Conference is a matter of debate; what is certain is that she never made it to Utah , staying instead with her daughter-in-law, Emma, in Nauvoo until her death in the summer of 1856. Strang established his separate church organization in Voree, Wisconsin , and called upon
17490-477: The last straw for many non-Mormons in the area—most particularly slaveowners. Enraged that the Mormons were apparently bent upon showing blacks that there was an alternative to slavery in Missouri, they burned the newspaper plant and tarred and feathered Bishop Edward Partridge and church Elder Charles Allen. The process set in motion by this event would end with Latter Day Saints being evicted from Independence and
17649-412: The last surviving members after the deaths of the Smith brothers. As early as April 19, 1834, Joseph Smith and Cowdery had "laid hands upon bro. Sidney [Rigdon] and confirmed upon him the blessings of wisdom and knowledge to preside over the Church in the absence of brother Joseph". In the spring of 1844, Smith had begun running a third-party candidacy to be elected president of the United States . Rigdon
17808-472: The latter of whom was present when Joseph Smith was killed . Young's succession became a precedent without exception within the sect based in Utah; with the death of each president, the First Presidency is dissolved and one member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles becomes the new president. Members of the LDS Church are asked to sustain the new prophet and his counselors at a solemn assembly during
17967-431: The leader of the church after Smith's death. With this understanding, The Church of Jesus Christ actively opposes the opinion that the Quorum of Twelve had the right to lead the church. The position of The Church of Jesus Christ is that Rigdon should have been allowed to be what he claimed to be—a "guardian" over the church until proper proceedings could decide the next church president. The Church of Jesus Christ maintains
18126-449: The mental institution because the sitting Judge felt Pattyson did not deserve criminal incarceration. A man described as a former member set fire to the Temple Lot meetinghouse (itself constructed in 1905 to replace an earlier structure, also damaged by fire) in what he claimed was a political protest on January 1, 1990, damaging the upper floor. The remainder of the building was razed, and a new edifice constructed. This structure serves as
18285-409: The modern Latter Day Saint movement, owns the bulk of the original 63-acre (25 ha) property around the Temple Lot, often referred to as the greater Temple Lot . This land had been purchased in the 1830s by Latter Day Saint bishop Edward Partridge to be the central common and sacred area according to the Plat of Zion . It maintains its world headquarters in this area, opening its Auditorium to
18444-411: The next General Conference . Sidney Rigdon 's church dissolved a few years after its organization, but it was reorganized as The Church of Jesus Christ in 1862, which still exists. They view Young's assumption of power as a violation of church law compromising the authority of Sidney Rigdon without a majority quorum vote. James J. Strang 's leadership was based predominantly on his own claim to be
18603-438: The number of later retellings, many in remarkable detail argues for the reality of some such experience." Sidney Rigdon denied such a metamorphosis took place, and accused Young of lying about it. With the support of the majority of adherents, Young assumed leadership of the church. He met with the Twelve and members of the Anointed Quorum on August 9; Bishops Newel K. Whitney and George Miller "were appointed to settle
18762-426: The office of apostle , and appointed to oversee the missionary work of the church—meaning that their presiding role was outside of the Stakes of Zion. Thomas B. Marsh was set apart as their president. In practice, while both this group and the High Council in Zion were Presiding High Councils, their jurisdictions were divided with one as “standing” ministers over the Stakes of Zion, and the other “traveling” outside of
18921-476: The old main courthouse , which was modeled after Philadelphia 's Independence Hall . This courthouse houses Harry S. Truman's former courtroom and office. Blue River Community College features a soccer program with a men's team and women's team. The Trailblazers (men) went all the way to the NJCAA Region 16 semifinals before concluding their season. The Lady Trailblazers (women) finished as runners up in
19080-419: The place Adam and Eve went to after being expelled from the Garden, he never officially confirmed or denied the idea that Independence had been the location of Eden itself. Although Smith had designated the Temple Lot site as the heart of his new City of Zion, the Latter Day Saints were expelled from Jackson County (late 1833) and later from Missouri (early 1839) before a temple could be constructed. Ownership of
19239-536: The police station and turned himself in. After he testified in court appearances in late November and early December 1898, the New York Times claimed Pattyson was found "guilty but insane" and he was sentenced to confinement in a mental institution in St. Joseph, Missouri . According to local news reports and Pattyson's explanations upon his release, he was found "not guilty by reason of insanity" and committed to
19398-413: The population was under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 89.4 males. The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $ 50,797 (with
19557-513: The present day. United States President Harry S. Truman grew up in Independence and, in 1922, was elected judge of the Court of Jackson County, Missouri (an administrative, not judicial, post). Although he was defeated for reelection in 1924, he won back the office in 1926 and was reelected in 1930. Truman performed his duties diligently, and won personal acclaim for several popular public works projects, including an extensive series of fine roads for
19716-419: The presidency, as espoused by Smith's widow, Emma Hale Smith , as well as in modern times by historian D. Michael Quinn. At the time of his death, Smith thus held several roles: "Prophet, Seer, Revelator, and Translator", "President of the Church", "President of the First Presidency", and "Trustee-in-Trust" of the church. It was unclear if all of these offices should be held together by any one successor and it
19875-464: The proceedings which decided Brigham Young to lead the church were a violation of proper proceedings of the church. On December 27, 1847, when Young organized a new First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve only had seven of its twelve members present to represent a council to decide the presidency. William Smith , John E. Page , and Lyman Wight had previously denounced the proceedings and were not present. John Taylor and Parley P. Pratt were in
20034-407: The project. The Temple Lot church relandscaped the area, which presently comprises a grassy field, with a few trees and the Temple Lot headquarters building at its northeast end. No further plans for construction of a temple on the site have been announced. The first meetinghouse constructed on the Temple Lot was the home of Edward Partridge , which served as a schoolhouse, a Sunday meetinghouse, and
20193-469: The property later became the subject of court challenges among some sects of the Latter Day Saint movement that arose from the succession crisis following Smith's assassination , most notably between the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) and the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS Church). In 1891, the RLDS Church, presided over by Smith's son Joseph Smith III , sued in
20352-556: The property prior to the planned journey to the Salt Lake Valley. Their decision was to accept a $ 300 quit claim offer on the deed. In 1847, the city of Independence formally incorporated, with the Temple Lot receiving the legal designation of lots 15 through 22 in the "Woodson and Maxwell Addition". While the main body of Latter Day Saints accompanied Brigham Young to the Salt Lake Valley, other groups remaining in Illinois argued that they should return to Independence to build
20511-432: The prophet Joseph Smith...They selected a place near Independence, Jackson County, Mo., in the early part of the year 1831 which they named Temple Lot, a beautiful spot of ground on a high eminence. They there stuck down their Jacob's staff, as they called it, and said: "This spot is the center of the earth. This is the place where the Garden of Eden, in which Adam and Eve resided, was located, and we are sent here according to
20670-570: The purchase was the Temple Lot itself. In 1891, the RLDS Church sued the Temple Lot church for the title to the land, winning at trial in March 1894 but losing on appeal in a Federal appeals court . On February 4, 1927, Otto Fetting , an apostle of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot), claimed that John the Baptist had visited him at his home as an angel and urged construction of a temple on
20829-961: The region. The Cable Dahmer Arena is home of the Kansas City Mavericks , a minor-league hockey team in the ECHL . Silverstein Eye Centers Arena is also the home of Kansas City Comets of the Major Arena Soccer League , the top level of professional indoor soccer. Crysler Stadium is the home of the collegiate summer baseball Independence Veterans of the Mid-Plains League . Local recreational sports teams include: YMCA and Parks and Recreation have programs for various sports for all people. In 1978, Independence gained sister city status with Higashimurayama , Tokyo , Japan. Higashimurayama Street
20988-425: The same size as those at the side, the middle window excepted, which is to be the same, with the addition of side lights. This middle window is designed to light the rooms both above and below, as the upper floor is to be laid off in the same way as the lower one, and arched overhead; with the same arrangement of curtains, or veils, as before mentioned. The doors are to be five feet wide, and nine feet high, and to be in
21147-434: The settling of emegrants [sic] and the business of the church at the stakes , and assist to bear off the kingdom victorious to the nations.” Furthermore, Smith stated that "the twelve should be authorized to assist in managing the affairs of th[e] kingdom in this place [Nauvoo]", followed by the church membership sustaining the Twelve "in regulating and superintending the affairs <of the Church.> " In other words, for
21306-411: The south of the Lot in 1958, while in 1994 it dedicated its Independence Temple just to the east. The LDS Church operates an interpretive visitors' center one block east and south of the Temple Lot. It also maintains a stake center, LDS Social Services center, and mission headquarters on its portion of the greater Temple Lot. In March 1831, Joseph Smith said he had a revelation which stated that
21465-573: The standing High Councils at the Stakes of Zion. On February 14, 1835, nearly one year after the High Council in Kirtland was organized, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles , "or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world", was formed as a "Traveling Presiding High Council." This council consisted of twelve men, called and ordained by the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon to
21624-408: The surrounding Jackson County area later that year. The Latter Day Saints moved across the Missouri River to Clay County, Missouri , where they retained David Rice Atchison as their attorney to settle claims on their real estate in Jackson County. The Mormons would relocate again to Caldwell County, Missouri , with its county seat at Far West , before being expelled from Missouri altogether in
21783-408: The temple are marked by similar stones. A doctrinal dispute within the Temple Lot organization about baptism ensued later that year, and Fetting was censured by a majority vote of fellow apostles at a church conference in October 1929. Fetting left the Temple Lot church at this time, taking many members with him who eventually founded the Church of Christ (Fettingite) and the Church of Christ with
21942-413: The temple. The first of these groups to relocate to the area was the diminutive Church of Christ (Temple Lot), also called "Hedrickites", which held its first worship meeting in Independence on March 3, 1867. This was the first time Latter Day Saints had congregated in Independence since November 7, 1833, when they were expelled from the area at gunpoint. Unable to acquire the entire greater Temple Lot due to
22101-407: The time of Smith's death, Rigdon, Young, and many other church leaders were out of the state on evangelical missions for the church. Rigdon returned to Nauvoo first (August 3) and the next day announced at a public meeting that he had received a revelation appointing him "Guardian of the Church." William Marks called for a conference on August 8 to decide the issue. On August 6, Young and the rest of
22260-485: The time, since he and most of the other Latter Day Saints were in the process of migrating to the Salt Lake Valley , and they remained uncertain of the attitudes of Jackson County residents toward the possibility of renewed Mormon interest in their area. On April 26, 1848, Young, Heber C. Kimball , Orson Pratt , and Wilford Woodruff debated in Winter Quarters, Nebraska , what they should do about their claim on
22419-404: The top employers in the city are: The Independence City Council is made up of six members. Four are elected to represent one of the city districts, and the other two are elected by the city as a whole. The City Mayor also sits on the City Council and serves as the "Head of Government" for the city, The Mayor can vote on legislation with the council but does not have the right to veto. Members serve
22578-443: The town, and the second in October 1864, which resulted in a Union victory. The war took its toll on Independence, and the town was never able to regain its previous prosperity, although a flurry of building activity took place soon after the war. The rise of nearby Kansas City also contributed to the town's relegation to a place of secondary prominence in Jackson County, though Independence has retained its position as county seat to
22737-413: The two lines drawn through the middle are four inches (102 mm) apart; in which space a curtain is to drop at right angles, and divide the house into four parts if necessary. The pews of the side blocks are fourteen and a half feet long, and three feet wide. The five pews in each corner of the house, are twelve feet six inches long. The open spaces between the corner and side pews are for fireplaces; those in
22896-483: The west are nine feet wide, and the east ones are eight feet and eight inches (203 mm) wide, and the chimneys carried up in the wall where they are marked with a pencil. ... Make your house fourteen feet high between the floors. There will not be a gallery but a chamber; each story to be fourteen feet high, arched overhead with an elliptic arch. Let the foundation of the house be of stone; let it be raised sufficiently high to allow of banking up so high as to admit of
23055-484: The will of the Lord might be known". Whitmer, however, separated from the church in June 1838. Smith's death left a number of important church leaders, councils, and quorums – many of which had overlapping and/or evolving functions – without guidance. The claims of each of these quorums came into play at some point after Smith's death. The highest executive council in the church was the First Presidency, of which Rigdon as
23214-562: The world in which no "stakes" — local congregations — were established. By revelation, the Twelve, as a body, had authority equal to the First Presidency, the Presiding High Council, and the Quorum of Seventy. However, as stated by Smith at a May 2, 1835 conference, "the twelve apostles have no right to go into Zion or any of its stakes where there is a regular high council established, to regulate any matter pertaining thereto." In later years, however, Smith had given
23373-533: The years following Smith's murder, Brigham Young apparently made earnest entreaties to his sons, Joseph Smith III and David Hyrum Smith , to join his church's hierarchy in Utah , which may represent some recognition by Young of the patrilineal right of succession for Smith’s sons. Both Smiths, however, were profoundly opposed to a number of practices of the church in Utah, especially plural marriage , and refused to join with them. Eventually, many Latter Day Saints in
23532-409: Was 12.2% (15,042) of the population. Of the 48,836 households, 24.0% had children under the age of 18; 40.1% were married couples living together; 33.0% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 33.5% consisted of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4, and the average family size was 3.1. 21.5% of
23691-404: Was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 38,012, and the median income for a family was $ 45,876. Males had a median income of $ 34,138 versus $ 25,948 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 19,384. About 6.4% of families and 8.6% of the population were below
23850-644: Was an elder in the church, charged with establishing a stake in Wisconsin should the Latter Day Saints be forced to abandon their headquarters in Nauvoo. He possessed a letter, known as the Letter of Appointment , purportedly written by Smith the month of his death and appointing Strang to be Smith's successor as church president. Strang also claimed that at the moment of Smith's death, he was visited by angels who ordained him as Smith's successor. Strang's claim appealed to many Latter Day Saints who had been attracted to
24009-582: Was arrested for the crime, but no convictions ever came in the case. Joseph Smith was assassinated in Carthage, Illinois , in June 1844. On April 6, 1845, apostle Brigham Young expressed the desire to reassert church control of the Temple Lot: "And when we get into Jackson county to walk in the courts of that house, we can say we built this temple: for as the Lord lives we will build up Jackson county in this generation." He did not act on this desire at
24168-400: Was designated to preside over the council established in Kirtland, as well as all future High Councils at the various Stakes of Zion. Cases tried in the standing High Councils of outlying stakes were regularly appealed to the High Council of Zion, it being the penultimate court standing only second to the First Presidency. The Presiding High Council also provided clearance for ordinations in
24327-487: Was joined by former members of the First Presidency , John C. Bennett and William Law and also by former Apostle William E. M'Lellin . On April 6, 1845 — fifteen years after the original organization of the church — Rigdon presided over a General Conference of Rigdonite Latter Day Saints in Pittsburgh, establishing a new hierarchy. He himself was sustained as President of the Church. The new Quorum of
24486-438: Was killed in Carthage, Illinois , alongside Joseph. Regarding Hyrum, Brigham Young stated: Following the principle of lineal succession , Smith's younger brother, Samuel Harrison Smith , was the next potential candidate in line. Sometime between June 23 and June 27, 1844, Smith reportedly stated that "if he and Hyrum were taken away, Samuel H. Smith would be his successor". However, Samuel died suddenly on July 30, 1844, just
24645-458: Was less than explicit who such a successor should be. However, a revelation of Smith in the Doctrine and Covenants , written in 1831 and published in 1835, designates that "three Presiding High Priests ... form a quorum of the Presidency of the Church" and "the Twelve Apostles...form a quorum, equal in authority and power to the three presidents previously mentioned." Following Smith's murder, it
24804-545: Was nominated as Smith's vice presidential running mate and had moved to Pennsylvania to establish legal residency there (the United States Constitution dictates that electors must vote for candidates for president and vice president from separate states). Upon receiving word of Smith's death, Rigdon claimed to receive a revelation calling him to succeed Smith as "guardian" of the church, and he hurriedly returned to Nauvoo to exercise his claim. After
24963-404: Was not immediately clear to the Latter Day Saints who would lead the church going forward. Contemporary statements by church leaders indicate that had the prophet's brother, Hyrum Smith , survived, he would have been the successor. Hyrum had been ordained Assistant President and Presiding Patriarch of the church, and the successor of Oliver Cowdery, who had been excommunicated. Hyrum, however,
25122-446: Was the victim of foul play . Smith also seemed to have given indications that one of his sons would succeed him. Several church leaders later stated that on August 27, 1834, and April 22, 1839, Smith indicated his eldest son, Joseph Smith III , would be his successor. At the time of his father's death, Joseph Smith III was eleven years old. Similarly, in April 1844, the elder Smith had reportedly prophesied his unborn child would be
25281-418: Was told this by Smith. Alexander Majors , who was a sixteen-year-old resident of Independence in 1831, wrote in his memoirs: Nothing of very great note occurred in the county of Jackson, after the cyclone of 1826, until the year 1830, when five Mormon elders made their appearance in the county and commenced preaching, stating to their audiences that they were chosen by the priesthood which had been organized by
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