6. Temple Independence Missouri

“And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse.1

Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge, W.W. Phelps, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris and Joseph Coe were all at the dedication. Joseph Smith gave the dedicatory prayer.

Psalm 87 from the Bible was read:

“His foundation is in the holy mountains.
The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her; and the Highest Himself shall establish her.
The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.
As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.”2

The lot was 3 acres, although later in December of 1831, Edward Partridge purchased 63 acres for the temple for $130. Today the Mormon Church owns only a part of this land. On it is a visitors’ center and a stake center. Various other churches own the rest of the temple lot.

See the next article in the timeline series.

Other Links:

• The Testimony of Joseph Smith
• Mormon Temples
• Fulfilled Prophecies of Joseph Smith