Temple Site in Independence

The first historical church site that Nick and I toured this weekend was the Temple Site in Independence, MO.  This site was right around the corner from the hotel we were staying at.  We were not aware of its existence prior to arriving at the hotel.

The Community of Christ Church (formally known as the RLDS Church) houses a Temple right behind the Higher Ground Hotel, where we stayed.  Across the street is an LDS Visitors Center.  We went into the Visitors Center and asked the Sister Missionary about the land.  She stated that the land we were standing on was of the original 63 acres, purchased by the church for the establishment of Zion in Independence.  However, when church members were driven out of the land in the 1800's, they lost much of the land, and today, only own 20 of the original 63 acres.  The other 43 acres is subdivided between the RLDS (Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which broke away from the Community of Christ Church, when they changed their name and their doctrine), and the Community of Christ Church.

This is their Temple:

We discussed the prophecy that Joseph Smith had of a Temple being built in Independence.  The Sister Missionary let us know that Joseph Smith did prophecy the building of a temple around the area where we were at, and that the land had been set apart and dedicated for a temple, but because the church members were driven out of the area, the Temple had never been built.  The land that was dedicated by Joseph Smith was then obtained by the Community of Christ Church, who still holds claim to that land today.

Although it has not been developed, and there is not an LDS Temple on this site, the feelings I felt while walking on the grounds are indescribable.  First, just knowing that the Prophet Joseph Smith had walked on these grounds, and had dedicated them for the building of a Temple was mind blowing to me.  The Spirit felt there was so strong, and I could tell how sacred these grounds were.  Despite the fact that it is on a corner lot in the busy downtown area, it seemed the way being inside a temple does, like I was away from the world while I was walking around the area.

I really enjoyed this experience.  It, along with many other experiences I had this weekend, really helped me to build my testimony of the truthfulness of this church.  I can't help but learn about church history and hear stories about the pioneers, and recognize that this church is true.  Very few people would go through what the early pioneers went through...the persecution, the deaths of their family members, the long treks across the plains, giving up everything they owned, being driven out of their land, and so on...if the church wasn't true.

I hope to continue to go back to Independence often, to be able to feel the sweet spirit I felt being on this Temple Site.