“The church immediately began to gather in Jackson county, and on this subject they became quite enthusiastic.” — John Corrill¹

Independence, Missouri, located twelve miles from the western Missouri border, was permanently settled, platted, and designated the county seat of Jackson County in 1827. It became a hub for steamboat travel on the Missouri River and a departure point for the Santa Fe Trail, with a population of about 300 in 1831.² Missionaries, including Oliver Cowdery, arrived in early 1831 and proselytized among nearby American Indians. A revelation received by Joseph Smith on July 20, 1831, designated Independence as the "city of Zion," the gathering place for the Saints, and the location of a future temple.³ The Saints were commanded to purchase land for a temple, storehouse, and printing press, which were established by 1832. After much persecution, the Saints were removed from the area in late 1833.²

1. John Corrill, “Brief History,” Manuscript, circa 1838–1839

2. "Independence, Missouri," josephsmithpapers.org

3. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 11, 115; Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 12, 128-130