Far West Temple Site

08/26/2024

On April 26, 1839, the Lord commanded the Twelve Apostles to meet at the Far West Temple site to lay the foundation for the temple and depart for a mission to England (see Doctrine and Covenants 118:5). However, a year later, the Saints had been driven out of Far West and the Missourians were determined not to let them return.

As the Apostles pondered on what to do, Wilford Woodruff recalled: “When President Young asked the question of the Twelve, ‘Brethren, what will you do about this?’ The reply was: ‘The Lord has spoken and it is for us to obey.’ We felt that the Lord God had given … the commandment and we had faith to go forward and accomplish it, feeling that it was His business whether we lived or died in its accomplishment.”

How does the obedience of the Apostles inspire you?

05/21/2024

The Saints’ hopes of creating a settlement in Far West, Missouri, were dashed as mob violence escalated to armed conflict in the fall of 1838. This became known as the Mormon-Missouri War, and it culminated in Joseph Smith and other Church leaders being arrested and imprisoned in Liberty Jail after Governor Boggs ordered the Missouri state militia to drive the Saints from the area. Despite their trials in Missouri, the Saints were able to regroup and rebuild later in Nauvoo, Illinois.

Learn more about the war in Missouri here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/mormon-missouri-war-of-1838

03/21/2024

Did you know the law of tithing was revealed in Far West, Missouri?

While in Far West, the Church was struggling financially, and leaders were attempting to figure out how much members should be donating in support. Joseph went to the Lord, and the answer became Doctrine and Covenants 119, which was then given to the Latter-day Saints. As they were taught, the Saints became responsible for giving tithes of their own free will. After being instructed by Joseph to gather tithes to help build the temple, Brigham Young asked, “Who shall be the judge of what is surplus property?” The Prophet responded, “Let them be the judges themselves.”

Read more about the history behind this revelation here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/revelations-in-context/the-tithing-of-my-people

01/10/2024

While searching for a location to create a new settlement near the Grand River, Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and George W. Robinson came upon a prominent knoll called Spring Hill about 30 miles northeast of Far West. During the trip, Joseph received a revelation, known today as Doctrine and Covenants 116, which identified the region as Adam-ondi-Ahman “because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet.” When Joseph returned to Far West in May 1838, a council was held to determine if the Church should “secure the land on grand river.” The vote was unanimous, and five weeks later the Adam-ondi-Ahman Stake was organized. By October, “upwards of two hundred houses” had been built in Adam-ondi-Ahman, with “forty families living in their wagons.”

Learn more about Adam-ondi-Ahman: https://www.ChurchofJesusChrist.org/learn/locations/adam-ondi-ahman?lang=eng

Experience this historic site through a virtual visit.