Independence, MO

The Church of Christ Temple Lot and the
Community of Christ Temple

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About 7,300 members
Organized in July of 1863
Reject having a President or 1 st Presidency
The 12 Apostles are in charge of the Church
Granville Hedrick
No baptisms for the dead and reject plural marriage

The Community of Christ, April 6 th , 2001
They have 164 sections in their Doctrine and Covenants. Section
164 was given in 2010.
They removed sections 107, 109-110.
Their memberships is around 250,000 and they are in 50 nations.
Their message is one of peace and sharing the gospel.
They own the temple and auditorium in Independence and the
Kirtland Temple.

 They believe in the Bible, Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and
Covenants. The Bible is their main scriptural text.
 One in ten hold the Priesthood.
 In 1984 they gave some women the right to hold the Priesthood.
 In 1998 they called two women as Apostles
 In 2007 they called their first woman as a member of the First
Presidency
 In 2013 they called their first woman as President of the Twelve

Actual Corner Stones Owned by the Community of Christ

Home of Jones H. Flournoy who sold the land (64 acres) to the
Church for the temple spot. Flournoy later became a bitter enemy of the Church and participated in the tar and feathering of
Edward Partridge.

Doctrine & Covenants 57:1-3
Doctrine & Covenants 58:57
The Savior told them in 1831 that they were honored in laying the foundation, but that they would not build the city.
Doctrine & Covenants 59:1-2
Doctrine & Covenants 61:3-7, 14-17, 19-23
“Polly Knight”
“Waters”

Joseph was very impressed with the land but not so much with the people that lived there.
There were approximately 2,800 people in the area.
Almost all of the inhabitants were on small farms.
Houses were log huts, generally with a dirt floor, mud plastered chimneys and windows without glass.
Remember, the people had been there from four to five years and had shown very little progress.

Parley P. Pratt said, “A fireplace with a skittle and a kettle was all the frontier housewife had to cook with. Corn was the principle grain, wild animals which roamed in large numbers supplied clothing as well as food.
Their clothing was generally made out of doe skin.”
Parley mentioned that almost everyone dressed in wild animal skins, which included the women, young and old.
Joseph said the people were about a century behind the times. They lacked industry and were content in their circumstances.
They loved to race horses, drink, and fight.

People who lived in the area said that the top soil was over 16 feet deep.
There were 12 large flowing springs in the vicinity.
There were many types of trees in the area.
The Missourians lived down in the river bottoms while the Saints preferred the fertile plains.

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There is no primary source for this, but several secondary ones.

The Temple Block in Jackson County,
Missouri, stands on the identical spot where once stood the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden they traveled in a north (easterly) course until they came to a valley on the east side of the Grand
River (Donald W. Parry, “Garden of Eden:
Prototype Sanctuary,” in Donald W. Parry, ed., Temples of the Ancient World : Ritual and Symbolism (Salt Lake City: Deseret
Book and FARMS, 1994), (126-51).

Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball both indicated that Joseph
Smith had told them such.
Doctrine & Covenants 116 is a short revelation about Adam-ondi-
Ahman (Spring Hill), the place where Adam dwelt (Doctrine &
Covenants 116).
Adam-ondi-Ahman is 80 miles in a northeast direction from Jackson
County.
The first to speak the Adamic tongue in this dispensation was
Brigham Young.
Brigham spoke it in a meeting. The brethren were offended and desired that Joseph Smith rebuke Brigham for speaking in tongues.
Joseph did not rebuke Brigham because he was speaking in the
Adamic language.
Joseph later prophesied that the day would come when Brigham
Young would be the President of the Church.

The Prophet Joseph Smith learned the original location of paradise through revelation and subsequently taught the early members of the
Church that “the Garden of Eden was in Jackson
County Missouri (Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber
C. Kimball , Juvenile Instructor Office, 1888, 219).
President Joseph Fielding Smith agreed that “the
Garden of Eden was on the American continent located where the City of Zion, or the New
Jerusalem, will be built (Joseph Fielding Smith,
Doctrines of Salvation , Vol. 3, 74).

The temple that will be established there will be the “ key temple
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Alvin R. Dyer in the book The Refiners Fire wrote about this future temple and the complex surrounding it.
There will be a complex of 24 temples each with a specific function (We don’t know all that will be done there).
No other temple will compare to it.
The Prophet Joseph designed the Holy City to hold 20,000 people.

The New Jerusalem was the very first of the temples commanded to be built in our dispensation and will be “the chief temple” once it is completed.
John Taylor proclaimed that it will be “the most magnificent temple that was ever formed on the earth and the most splendid that was ever erected” because, said he, the architectural plans will be revealed under the direction of the Lord himself ( Journal of
Discourses 10:147).

On 25 June 1833, the First Presidency drew up the plat for the City of Zion with a complex of twenty-four temples and sent it to Jackson County, Missouri.
So what caused the First Presidency to plan for a twentyfour temple complex in Zion?
It appears that the Kirtland Temple’s pulpits hold the answer.
There are twenty-four pulpits inside the Kirtland Temple, with a set of initials placed upon each one to indicate the priesthood office of those sitting in the seat. The names assigned to each of the twenty-four New Jerusalem temples corresponded to the initials found on the Kirtland
Temple pulpits.

There are two sets of elevated pulpits (altars) in the
Kirtland Temple, known as the house of the Lord—one set is located in the lower auditorium and another set in the upper (second floor) auditorium. Pulpits in the upper court
(second floor) of the temple are not as decorative and are less elevated. The lower auditorium also has a drop-leaf table in front of the Melchizedek pulpits for preparing the sacrament. The initials engraved in gold letters on the curved panels of the Melchizedek Priesthood pulpits
(facing east) and the Aaronic Priesthood pulpits (facing west) designate various presiding officers in the Church.
The lower court was designated by revelation to Joseph
Smith for offering the sacrament, preaching, fasting, and praying, while the upper court was built as a school for the
Latter-day Saint Apostles.

WEST TIER, MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD
PULPITS
M.P.C.
P.M.H.
M.H.P.
P.E.M.
Melchizedek Presiding Council (First Presidency of the Church or Stake)
Presiding Melchizedek High Priesthood (Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, or Stake High Council)
Melchizedek High Priesthood (High Priests Quorum)
Presiding (Presidency) Elders Melchizedek
(representing Elders Quorum)

EAST TIER, AARONIC PRIESTHOOD
PULPITS
B.P.A.
Bishop Presiding over Aaronic Priesthood
P.A.P.
P.T.A.
P.D.A.
Presiding (Presidency) Aaronic Priests
Presiding (Presidency) Teachers, Aaronic
Presiding (Presidency) Deacons, Aaronic

Milton Vaughn Backman Jr., The Heavens Resound: A
History of the Latter-day Saints in Ohio, 1830–1838 (Salt
Lake City: Deseret Book, 1983), 160; Harry Black,
Kirtland Temple (Independence, Mo.: Herald House,
1958), 17–18; Richard O. Cowan, Temples to Dot the
Earth (Springville, Utah: Cedar Fort Incorporated, 1997),
21–35; and Clarence L. Fields, “History of the Kirtland
Temple,” master’s thesis (Brigham Young University,
1963), 28. There are some discrepancies regarding the description of the initials on the pulpits as shown in these and several other publications. In addition, some of the interpretation of the initials on the pulpits may not be contemporary to the early Kirtland 1830’s time period.

Many who saw Joseph’s plan for the city of
Zion wondered why there was a complex of twenty-four temples instead of just the one that was specified in the Lord’s revelations.
It was clear that the New Jerusalem and
Kirtland temples were closely connected by their design, but many had not realized that the plans for the New Jerusalem Temple complex were actually derived from information that was revealed about the
Kirtland Temple.

Orson Pratt implied that a revelation was given in
1839 that modified the design so that the twentyfour temples planned for the New Jerusalem became one temple with twenty-four rooms.
These rooms were to be arranged in a circular pattern and connected by a huge dome ( The Angel of the Prairies , 1880, Parley P. Pratt).
The twenty four rooms still retained their initial purpose as gathering places for the various quorums of the priesthood, and each was to bear one of the names originally assigned to the twentyfour temples by Joseph Smith ( Journal of
Discourses 24:24-25).

There would be 12 Temples surrounding a square and the square would be for a Great Tabernacle for the people while the Temples would be for giving endowments and there would be doors of every
Temple for the Priesthood (who labored in the
Temples), to go into the Tabernacle to teach the people and prepare them for the endowments
(Kenney,
Wilford Woodruff’s Journal
, 24 August
1867).

In Doctrine & Covenants 58:50-51, Sidney was assigned to write up a description of the land of Zion. He didn’t do a very good job.
As a result Doctrine & Covenants 63:55-56 was given which stated that he must either do it right or his name would be blotted out. He re-did it and got it right.
The temple lot was purchased from Jones Flournoy and his wife. Mr. Flournoy later became an enemy to the Church and assisted in the tarring and feathering of Edward
Partridge.
We have the deed to the property in our archives. Part of it is now owned by the Hedrikite Church (3 acres). They have vowed to never give up their lot to us or anyone else.

The original purchase was for 63.436 acres at a cost of
$1.30 per acre.
The church owns about 27 acres of it today. The
Community of Christ owns the rest. There have been multiple law suits over this land.
It is of interest to note that Joseph Smith has already dedicated the temple site.
John Taylor later said that not all of the Church would go back to Jackson County. He taught that God was not building temples in the mountains for us to abandon them.
This Church will be strong and functioning in the mountains when the temple is built.

Polly had just arrived from Colesville and was very sick.
She was the first member of the Church to die in Jackson
County.
Joseph preached at her funeral on August 7 th , 1831.
He received a revelation on Sunday the 8 th about the importance of keeping the Sabbath Day holy.
Joseph preaching at Polly Knights funeral said,
“A worthy member sleeps in Jesus until the resurrection.”

On August 2, 1831 a log was laid as a symbol of the foundation of Zion. It was also part of the first schoolhouse. Twelve men participated in the laying of the log, symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Sidney Rigdon dedicated and consecrated the land of Missouri as Zion.
Sidney said,
“Do you receive this land for the land of you inheritance with thankful hearts from the
Lord? (We do!)

“Do you pledge yourselves to keep the Law of God on this land which you never have kept in your own lands?” (We do!)
“Do you pledge yourselves to see that others of your brethren who shall come hither keep the laws of God?”
(We do!)
After a prayer was offered Sidney arose and said,
“I now pronounce this land consecrated and dedicated unto the Lord for possession and inheritance for the Saints and for all the faithful servants of the Lord to the remotest ages of time and in the name of Jesus Christ, having authority for Him, amen.”
Joseph dedicated the temple site on August 3 rd , 1831 and read the 87 th Psalm.

Doctrine & Covenants 45 teaches us that Zion will be one of the few places where you will be able to find peace in the last days.
It will be built before the Second
Coming and will be a city of refuge.
It will be beautiful.

Lucy Mack Smith traveled with Hyrum Smith and John
Murdock to Detroit to do missionary work with their families and friends. When they arrived they talked to many of the Mack family about the gospel.
At Pontiac, Lucy met with Mr. Ruggles (a Presbyterian
Minister). He made fun of Joseph Smith Junior and told
Lucy what a foolish boy he was.
Lucy let him have it. She prophesied:
“Before three years are past, we will baptize one third of your congregation and we will take your deacon too!”

Later in Kirtland she said that she was moved upon by the power of
God to make the prophecy.
She told Joseph Jr. about it and he sent Jared Carter to Pontiac,
Michigan to fulfill the prophecy.
Jared Carter returned to Pontiac, Michigan and baptized 70 of Mr.
Ruggle’s congregation which included his Deacon --- Samuel Bent.
Samuel Bent later served on the Kirtland High Council as a senior member (the prophecy was fulfilled).
The printing office was dedicated in May of 1832. They started the printing of The Evening and Morning Star.
Parley P. Pratt started the first school in Zion in the fall of 1832.
Parley was so poor at the time that he taught the different classes in his bare feet.
Education was always important to the Prophet.

Lies north of Independence, about 80 miles in a northeastern direction.
The Lord first introduced the phrase in March of
1832 as He referred to himself as “Son Ahman.”
Orson Pratt said that Joseph Smith once received an unpublished revelation about some words from the
Adamic language and from that revelation he learned that the word “Ahman” was the name of
God the Father ( Journal of Discourses 2:342).

He also stated that Adam-ondi-
Ahman, a named carried over from the pure Adamic language into
English, is one for which we have not been given a revealed, literal translation” (Doctrine & Covenants
116:1, 107:53-54).
Nevertheless, from a combination of context and linguistics we may hazard the guess that this phrase means
“
.”

I saw Adam in the valley of Adam-ondi-
Ahman. He called his children and blessed them with a patriarchal blessing. The Lord appeared in their midst…This is why Adam blessed his posterity; he wanted to bring them into the presence of God (Joseph Smith,
Teachings , 158-59).
On 19 May, 1835, the Lord identified the exact location of Adam-ondi-Ahman as
Spring Hill, Missouri.

President Joseph Fielding Smith has provided us with many insights into this important gathering:
Those who have held the keys of their dispensation shall render up their stewardship to Adam who holds the keys to salvation.

At that time there will be a transfer of authority from the usurper and imposter, Lucifer, to the rightful King, Jesus Christ.
Judgment will be set and all who have held keys will make their reports and deliver their stewardships.
Our Lord will then assume the reigns of government; directions will be given to the Priesthood; and He, whose right it is to rule, will be installed officially by the voice of the Priesthood there assembled.
This grand council of Priesthood will be composed, not only of those who are faithful who now dwell on this earth, but also of the prophets and apostles of old, who have held directing authority.
Others may also be there, but if so they will be there by appointment, for this is to be an official council called to attend to the most momentous matters concerning the destiny of the earth.

When this gathering is held the world will not know of it; the members of the Church at large will not know of it, yet it shall be preparatory to the coming in the clouds of glory of our Savior Jesus Christ.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said:
“The world cannot know of it. The Saints cannot know of it
--- except those who are officially called into this council --for it shall precede the coming of Jesus Christ as a thief in the night, unbeknown to all the world” (
The Way to
Perfection , 1966, 289-91).

In Moses 5:4-8 we read about an altar built by
Adam after the Fall which he used to offer up sacrifices to the Lord.
President Joseph Fielding Smith taught that, of necessity, “the first sanctified temples were the mountain tops and secluded places in the wilderness. If we are correctly informed, Adam built his altar on a hill above the valley of Adamondi-Ahman. At that place the Lord revealed to him the purpose of the fall and the mission of the
Savior” (
Doctrines of Salvation 2:232).

The altar referred to still existed in the days of Joseph
Smith and was identified as such by him (John H. Witorf,
“
An Historical Investigation of the Ruined
‘Altars at
Adam-ondi-Ahman, Missouri, 1969, 1-8).
In describing the altar Heber C. Kimball made a most interesting comparison when he said that it looked very much like the pulpits inside the Kirtland Temple (Orson F.
Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball , 1945, 208-09).
The Saints dedicated the site and laid cornerstones for a temple at Adam-ondi-Ahman. It is worth noting that the altar of Adam and the temple site both lie in the very center of the city plat.

Another vision of the exalted Adam, seen by Elizabeth Tyler, was related as follows:
“She saw a man sitting upon a white cloud, clothed in white from head to foot. He had a peculiar cap, different from any she had ever seen, with a white robe, under clothing and moccasins. It was revealed to her that the person was Michael, the Archangel. She was sitting in the house drying peaches when she saw the heavenly vision, but the walls were no bar between her and the angel, who stood in the open space above her. The Prophet informed her that she had a true vision, and it was of the Lord. Joseph had seen the same angel several times. It was Michael, the Archangel, as revealed to her” (Daniel Tyler, “Recollections of the Prophet
Joseph Smith,”
Juvenile Instructor , 27 February, 1892, 93).

He grew to manhood accepting the Methodist faith of his father. He listened to the preaching of Elder Solomon
Hancock and was baptized.
As he lay meditating, the room lighted up with brilliant light and he saw a number of men dressed in white robes.
Twelve days later he was ordained an Elder.
Most of what we get on the School of the Prophets is from Zebedee Coltrin’s journal.

Zebedee possessed an unusual nature that the
Prophet recognized:
“President Zebedee Coltrin… saw the Savior extended before him, as upon the cross, and a little after, crowned with glory upon his head above the brightness of the sun.”
He settled on Main Street in Salt Lake City where the Joseph Smith Memorial building stands.
On May 31 st 1873 Zebedee was ordained a patriarch by John Taylor. He served in that office for fourteen years and gave over 1,000 blessings.

He died in 1887 at Spanish Fork at the age of 82.
He was buried in the Spanish Fork Cemetery, and on his tombstone was written:
A friend of Joseph Smith lies here
A patriarch and pioneer
His life was marked by faith and zeal
His mission was to bless and heal
By the way, it appears that the “School of the
Prophets” continues to meet every Thursday morning in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Joseph Smith while in Kirtland said to Oliver Cowdery and Sidney Rigdon,
“Now brethren we will see some visions.”
Joseph laid down on the ground on his back and stretched out his arms and the two brethren laid on them. The heavens gradually opened, and they saw a golden throne, on a circular foundation, something like a light house, and on the throne were two aged personages, having white hair, and clothed in white garments. They were the two most beautiful and perfect specimens of mankind they ever saw. Joseph said, “They are our first parents, Adam and Eve.” Adam was a large broad shouldered man, and
Eve as a woman, was as large in proportion ( Salt Lake
School of the Prophets Minute Book , 1883, 64).