Far West, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Far West
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Community of Christ chapel in Far West
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 Far West
Location in Missouri
Far West
Location in the United States
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| Elevation | 292 m (958 ft) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| GNIS feature ID | 0738427 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Far West Missouri Temple | |||||||||||||||||
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| Efforts halted in 1830s | |||||||||||||||||
 Monument at the temple site in Far West. |
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| Official website: http://www.lds.org/locations/far-west?lang=eng• News & images | |||||||||||||||||
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Far West was an important settlement for the Latter Day Saint movement in Caldwell County, Missouri, United States. It was a busy town in the late 1830s. Today, it is a recognized historic site by the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It was added to the register in 1970 and is cared for by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Contents
Founding a New Home in Far West
Planning the Town's Layout
The town of Far West was started by church leaders W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer in August 1836. This was just before Caldwell County was officially created. The town was first planned as a one-square-mile area. In the center was a public square where a temple was meant to be built. The town's design was similar to a plan by Joseph Smith Jr., the first modern-day prophet of the Latter Day Saint Movement. He had planned a "City of Zion" in Independence, Missouri. As Far West grew, its planned area expanded to four square miles.
Settling in Missouri
Early members of the church began moving to northwestern Missouri around 1830. According to a teaching from Joseph Smith Jr., Independence was meant to be the "centerplace" of the City of Zion. This was believed to be where Jesus would return. However, disagreements between early church members and other settlers in Independence led to the church members leaving Jackson County in 1833. Most of them temporarily settled in Clay County, Missouri.
To help the church members, Caldwell County was created in late 1836. It was specifically for them to settle and make up for property they lost in Jackson County. Soon after Caldwell County was formed, Far West became its main town and county seat.
Far West Becomes Church Headquarters
Far West became the main headquarters for the church in early 1838. This happened when Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon moved there from Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith taught that the Garden of Eden had been in Jackson County. He also taught that when Adam and Eve left the Garden, they moved to the area that is now Caldwell and Daviess Counties. While the church was based in Far West, its official name was changed. It became The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Before this, it had been known by other names since 1830.
Challenges and Conflicts in 1838
Growing Tensions with Neighbors
New problems started when church members began settling in areas near Caldwell County. These areas included De Witt in Carroll County and Adam-ondi-Ahman in Daviess County. Local residents worried that the growing number of new settlers would soon outnumber them. There were also misunderstandings about the church's beliefs and practices. These issues led to a series of increasing conflicts.
The Governor's Order and Forced Departure
Eventually, the Governor of Missouri called out 2,500 state soldiers. He claimed they were needed to stop a "Mormon rebellion." He also issued an order to remove the church members from the state. Frightened, church members gathered in Far West for safety. They soon found themselves surrounded.
Joseph Smith Jr., Sidney Rigdon, and others gave themselves up in October 1838. They hoped this would ease the pressure on the main group of church members. However, they were put on trial by the state. The main group of church members was then forced to sign over their property in Far West and Caldwell County. This was to pay for the soldiers. After this, they were forced to leave the state. Most of the church members later settled in Nauvoo, Illinois.
Far West Today: A Historic Site
A Town Changes and Endures
Far West became almost empty after most of the church members left. The county seat was moved to Kingston, Missouri. Many of the log houses in Far West were taken apart and moved to other places. John Whitmer was one of the few who stayed. He continued to live in the nearly empty town and owned a large farm there.
Preserving the Past
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bought the original temple site and some land around it in 1909. Since then, Far West has been kept as an important historic site. It is located about seven miles south of U.S. Route 36 on Missouri Route D.
The site includes the original cornerstones of the planned temple. Each cornerstone is protected inside a glass case. There is also a monument dedicated in 1968 to honor the early settlers. The church also remembers the Far West legacy in the name of a ward (a local congregation) in Cameron. Since 2015, there has also been a stake (a larger group of congregations) centered in Gallatin.
Community and Tourism
Community of Christ, which was once known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, has a congregation that meets in Far West. Their building is across the street from the historic site.
In 2004, work began on a historic village next to the temple site. The Far West Historical Society runs this village to welcome visitors and increase tourism. A Country Store there has been open since 2006.
In May 2012, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that it bought 6,000 acres of Missouri farmland. This purchase also included three historical sites from Community of Christ, including land around Far West.
Images for kids
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Community of Christ chapel in Far West
See also
In Spanish: Far West (Misuri) para niños
