“Elder Cutler ... recommenced laying the foundation of the LORD’S house agreeable to revelation by [rolling] up a large stone near the south east corner.” — Wilford Woodruff¹

Far West, Missouri, became a significant gathering place for Latter-day Saints beginning in 1836, but by 1839, they had been forced to abandon it under state orders. In July 1838, the Lord revealed through Joseph Smith that the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles should meet at the Far West temple site on April 26, 1839, and lay the foundation of the temple before departing on their mission to England.² Brigham Young insisted that the apostles travel back to Far West to fulfill the commandment. Opponents of the Church believed they had prevented it from taking place, but Brigham and several others returned to Far West under cover of night, avoiding the mobs. On the appointed day, they sang hymns (including “Adam-ondi-Ahman”), prayed, and laid a stone at the temple site, fulfilling the Lord’s command to continue laying the foundation of the temple.³

1. Journal (January 1, 1838 – December 31, 1839)," April 26, 1839

2. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 33, 386; Doctrine and Covenants 118

3. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 33, 386-387, 393-395; "Far West," churchofjesuschrist.org; "Far West Temple Site," churchofjesuschrist.org; "House of the Lord (planned site), Far West, Missouri," josephsmithpapers.org