"And thus saith the Lord your God, if you will receive wisdom here is wisdom. Behold, the place which is now called Independence is the center place; and a spot for the temple is lying westward, upon a lot which is not far from the courthouse." — Doctrine and Covenants 57:3¹

On July 20, 1831, after seeking guidance from the Lord, Joseph Smith received a revelation designating Independence, Missouri, as the place for the city of Zion and the location of the temple, which is now found in Doctrine and Covenants 57.² On August 3, key church leaders, including Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and Sidney Rigdon, participated in dedicating the land for the future temple and city. The site was pronounced dedicated unto the Lord forever by Sidney Rigdon and Psalm 87 was read.³

Violence and antagonism toward the Saints in Missouri increased until the inhabitants of Jackson county expelled them from the area before the temple could be built.⁴

1. Doctrine and Covenants 57:3

2. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 12, 130; Doctrine and Covenants 57:3

3. John Whitmer, History, 1831–circa 1847; Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 12, 132

4. Jackson County, Missouri, josephsmithpapers.org; Temple lot, Blue Township, Missouri, josephsmithpapers.org