# Independence Temple > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Independence_Temple > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Independence_Temple.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Temple > Source revision: 1350512570 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Church building in Missouri, United States}} {{Use American English|date=December 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox religious building | name = The Temple | religious_affiliation = [Community of Christ](/source/Community_of_Christ) | image = IndependenceTemple.jpg | caption = Viewed from the west in 2021 | coordinates = {{Coord|39|5|28.04|N|94|25|35.33|W}} | location = [Independence, Missouri](/source/Independence%2C_Missouri) | architect = [Gyo Obata](/source/Gyo_Obata) | groundbreaking = April 6, 1990 | year_completed = 1994 }} {{Community of Christ sidebar|places}} '''The Temple''' in [Independence, Missouri](/source/Independence%2C_Missouri), is a house of worship and education "dedicated to the pursuit of peace".[Doctrine and Covenants](/source/Doctrine_and_Covenants), Section 156:5 It dominates the skyline of Independence and has become the focal point of the headquarters of the [Community of Christ](/source/Community_of_Christ) (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints).[https://archive.today/20010422055040/http://cofchrist.org/news/q_and_a-churchname.asp Questions and Answers on Church Name Change] The temple was built by the Community of Christ in response to a [revelation](/source/revelation_(Latter_Day_Saints)) presented at their 1984 [World Conference](/source/World_Conference_(Community_of_Christ)) by [church prophet-president](/source/church_prophet-president) [Wallace B. Smith](/source/Wallace_B._Smith).[Doctrine and Covenants](/source/Doctrine_and_Covenants), Section 156:6 The revelation was the culmination of instructions shared over the course of more than 150 years by prior prophet-presidents recognized by the Community of Christ. [Groundbreaking](/source/Groundbreaking) for the temple took place on April 6, 1990, and the completed structure was dedicated on April 17, 1994.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}} ==Structure and building== {{quote box | quote = If ye are faithful, ye shall assemble yourselves together to rejoice upon the land of Missouri, which is the land of your inheritance, which is now the land of your enemies. | source = [''Doctrine and Covenants''](/source/Doctrine_and_Covenants) (Community of Christ edition), section 52, verse 9e{{cite web|url = https://user.xmission.com/~research/central/temple1.htm |title = The Independence Temple of Zion | author = H. Michael Marquardt | author-link = H. Michael Marquardt |year = 1997}} | width = 34% | align = left }} The temple was designed by [Gyo Obata](/source/Gyo_Obata) and evokes the spiral shell of the [nautilus](/source/Chambered_Nautilus) with a [stainless steel](/source/stainless_steel) [spire](/source/spire) that rises {{convert|300|ft|m}}.Chiat, Marilyn; ''North American Churches,'' Publications International, Ltd.:2004, p. 72. The facility displays art which comprises a collection of modern and traditional religious art from around the world. The entry to the sanctuary is through an etched glass archway depicting the [Sacred Grove](/source/Sacred_Grove_(Latter_Day_Saints)) where [Joseph Smith](/source/Joseph_Smith) had his [initial revelatory experience](/source/First_Vision). This leads to the gently ascending worshipper's path of textured stone which spirals around its periphery. Along the path are artworks and a fountain symbolising the "living water" of [John](/source/Gospel_of_John) 4:10 for meditative focus. The temple's main sanctuary has seating for approximately 1,600. It houses a [Casavant](/source/Casavant_Fr%C3%A8res) [pipe organ](/source/pipe_organ) with 60 stops, 102 ranks, and 5685 pipes. At the exit foyer in the mouth of the spiral, "The Field is White, Already to Harvest" (see John: 4:35) is a large stained glass wall depicting rice and wheat, that earned an American Institute of Architects award for religious art. Adjacent are the massive bronze exit doors which carry the church seal depicting the peaceful lion, lamb, and child from [Isaiah](/source/Isaiah) 11:6 and the word "PEACE". The wide steps open up onto a world plaza with global map of inlaid brick. The public is welcomed to the temple, where there is a [Daily Prayer for Peace](/source/Daily_Prayer_for_Peace) at 1:00 p.m. Central Time on behalf of a selected nation of the world. A meditation chapel with paintings by Jack Garnier of the Sacraments being performed around the world opens onto a Japanese style meditation garden and serves the needs of individuals or small groups of visitors. The temple also contains the church archives, the Temple School, administrative offices of church headquarters, theaters used for visitors and also for meetings, presentations, and classes, a museum and gift shop. The building has become a popular attraction with guided tours available. Approximately 60,000 people visit the temple each year. ==Temple ministries== The temple is regarded as a symbol of the church's mission and has long been closely associated with the denomination's developing theology of [Zion](/source/Zion_(Latter_Day_Saints)), or the peaceable Kingdom of God, first advocated as ''[basileia tou theou](/source/basileia_tou_theou)'' by [Jesus Christ](/source/Jesus_Christ). The first major event held at the temple prior to its dedication was the International Women's Conference in June 1993. The temple has no private ceremonies and is open to everyone. The sacraments performed there are communion, administration to the sick (laying on of hands), and [priesthood](/source/priesthood_(Latter_Day_Saints)) ordination. Initially, six temple ministries centers were created in response to the building of the temple. The temple according to [Ken Robinson](/source/Kenneth_N._Robinson), former member of the [First Presidency](/source/First_Presidency_(Community_of_Christ)), "gives form to our commitment to Jesus Christ" and that it "is at the center of meaning and identity for members of...Community of Christ" Robinson, Kenneth N., "A People of the Temple," ''[The Herald](/source/The_Herald_(Community_of_Christ))'', July 2006, p. 12. {{cite web |url=http://www.cofchrist.org/SharePeace/Jul06/Robinson-People-of-Temple.asp |title=Share the Fullness of the Gospel |access-date=July 1, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070929094215/http://www.cofchrist.org/SharePeace/Jul06/Robinson-People-of-Temple.asp |archive-date=September 29, 2007 }} ==Temple lot== thumb|left|150px|A view looking up the spire from the center of the temple [Wallace B. Smith's](/source/Wallace_B._Smith) great-grandfather and founder of the [Latter-day Saint movement](/source/Latter-day_Saint_movement), [Joseph Smith](/source/Joseph_Smith), visited [Jackson County](/source/Jackson_County%2C_Missouri) in 1831 and prophesied that a temple to the Lord would be built there.[Doctrine and Covenants](/source/Doctrine_and_Covenants) (Community of Christ), Section 57:1d The early Latter-day Saints purchased a {{convert|73|acre|ha}} parcel of land known as the "greater [temple lot](/source/Temple_Lot)". At that time a portion of the property was dedicated as the site for a temple, and cornerstones were laid.{{citation needed|date=August 2018}} However, the church members were driven from the county before any construction began. The original temple site proper is now owned by the [Church of Christ (Temple Lot)](/source/Church_of_Christ_(Temple_Lot)). The Community of Christ's temple is built on the greater temple lot, as is the [Auditorium](/source/Auditorium_(Community_of_Christ)), the headquarters chapel of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) and a [visitor center](/source/LDS_Visitors_Center%2C_Independence%2C_Missouri) of [the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints](/source/the_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints). ==See also== * [Minar (Firuzabad)](/source/Minar_(Firuzabad)) ==Notes== {{Reflist}} ==References== *Laurie Smith Monsees, ''The Temple: Dedicated to Peace'', Herald House: 1993. {{ISBN|978-0-8309-0648-2}} *Marilyn Chiat, ''North American Churches'', Publications International, Ltd.: 2004, p. 72. *Michael J. Crosbie, ''Architecture for the Gods.'' (Watson-Guptill Publications: 2000), pp. 66–72. {{ISBN|0-8230-0290-X}} ==External links== {{Commons}} *[https://cofchrist.org/temple-tour/ Community of Christ Temple official self-guided tour] *[https://www.cofchrist.org/visit-temple-organ Temple pipe organ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202170706/https://www.cofchrist.org/visit-temple-organ |date=December 2, 2019 }} {{Community of Christ}} {{Coord|39|05|27|N|94|25|35|W|display=title|region:US_type:landmark}} Category:20th-century Latter Day Saint temples in the United States Category:Churches in Independence, Missouri Category:Religious buildings and structures of the Community of Christ Category:Latter Day Saint movement in Missouri Category:Peace symbols Category:Religious buildings and structures in Missouri Category:Temples (LDS Church) completed in 1994 Category:Temple Lot Category:1994 establishments in Missouri Category:Museums in Jackson County, Missouri Category:Religious museums in Missouri Category:Mormon museums in the United States Category:Gyo Obata buildings Category:Temples (LDS Church) in Missouri --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Independence Temple](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Temple) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Temple?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.