LDS Visitors Center, Independence, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids LDS Visitors Center |
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Visitors Center in central Independence, Missouri, located south across the street from the Independence Temple, and shown east across the street from the Community of Christ Auditorium, which is just visible to the right.
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| General information | |
| Inaugurated | May 31, 1971 |
| Owner | the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
The Independence Visitors' Center is a special building in Independence, Missouri. It is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the LDS Church. This center opened on May 31, 1971.
The visitors' center sits on a historic piece of land called the Greater Temple Lot. This land was first set aside and bought by Joseph Smith and his friends in 1831. It is very close to the headquarters of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) and the Community of Christ temple.
Contents
History of the Temple Lot
Early Land Purchase
The land where the visitors' center stands was first bought a long time ago. On December 19, 1831, a man named Edward Partridge bought it. He was acting for Joseph Smith.
Later, on April 14, 1904, the LDS Church bought the land again. By this time, the LDS Church had grown to be the largest group among several different Latter Day Saint churches. James G. Duffin completed this purchase. He was the leader of the church's Central States Mission.
Clearing Up Confusion About the Land
A few months after the 1904 purchase, a newspaper called the Kansas City Times shared a rumor. It said that the "Utah Mormons" (meaning the LDS Church) had secretly bought the entire Greater Temple Lot. This included a part owned by the Church of Christ (Temple Lot). The newspaper corrected this story the next day.
The land owned by the Temple Lot church was a higher, smaller part of the original land. It was about 2.5 acres. The total land bought by Edward Partridge in 1831 was about 63.5 acres. These two pieces of land were often confused. People in newspapers and other media often called both areas the "Mormon Temple Lot."
In 2009, a researcher named John C. Hamer wrote an article. It was called "The Temple Lot: Visions and Realities." This article helped to explain the differences between the two land areas.
Modern Visitor Experience
The Independence Visitors' Center opened in 1971. Another important LDS visitors' center also opened that year in Nauvoo, Illinois. These centers were designed to teach about LDS Church beliefs in a new way.
They used modern audio-visual tools and interactive displays. This idea came from Bernard P. Brockbank, a church leader. He had used this same style at the 1964 New York World's Fair.
Future Ideas for the Center
Building Design and Purpose
Some people believe the visitors' center was designed to look like the Parthenon. The Parthenon is a very famous ancient temple. This has led to ideas about whether the visitors' center might one day become a temple.
The Greater Temple Lot was originally set aside for a temple by Joseph Smith in 1831. In 1952, the Kansas City Times published a rumor. It said the LDS Church planned to build a temple on the site where the center now stands.
Examining the Speculation
In his 2004 book, Images of New Jerusalem, author Craig S. Campbell looked into this rumor. He was doubtful that the building would be "converted someday" into a temple. The visitors' center continues to serve as a place for people to learn about the LDS Church.
