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A grassy field dedicated in 1831 by Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormons") together with several smaller organizations claiming to be the legitimate continuation of that church. No temple has ever been constructed on this site, though the Community of Christ has built one across the street which the Utah LDS and other sects do not accept as legitimate. The vast majority of the world's Latter-day Saints believe that this particular piece of land, which is owned by the tiny Church of Christ-Temple Lot, will one day be the site of their most important spiritual edifice. Tours and information are available at the white church building located on the lot, which is the world headquarters of its current owners.
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It was constructed during the late 1800s, and serves a local Community of Christ congregation. Beautiful stained-glass windows and woodwork.
Just west of the Temple Lot. This memorial features a beautiful sculpture of a young girl releasing a dove to symbolize the hopes and dreams represented by the United Nations. It is billed as the only monument in the U.S. dedicated specifically to peace outside of the UN's headquarters in New York.
Constructed from 1990-94, sits adjacent to the original "Temple Lot," and clearly dominates the city skyline. Designed by famed Japanese architect Gyo Obata, the edifice evokes the spiral shell of the Nautilus by using a stainless steel spire that rises 300 ft (91 m). Unlike temples of the larger LDS church, the Community of Christ's sacred structure is always open to non-members. Its main sanctuary features a Casavant pipe organ with 60 stops, 102 ranks, and 5685 pipes; recitals are held daily during June, July, and August (and Sundays only the rest of the year). Also held daily is a Prayer for Peace, which the public is encouraged to attend.
Inside the Auditorium's west entrance. It contains a number of exhibits designed to teach concepts of personal peace, social peace, international peace, and environmental peace to children ages 12 and under.
Describes the roles played by Latter-day Saints during the early and tempestuous history of Independence. Offers flat screen visual presentations showing the arrival of early Saints, revelations, and their pioneer lives. Also offers rare artifacts and exhibits documenting the history and beliefs of the Mormons, together with information on the adjacent Temple Lot. Free guided tours daily.
A large structure built between 1926-58 for holding the church's biennial convention. It was the church's headquarters, before erection of the Temple. It houses an Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ with 113 ranks and 6,334 pipes, including an antiphonal console and pipes in the rear balcony of the oval chamber. Seating nearly 6,000 people (as opposed to 1,600 in the Temple's main sanctuary), this building is used not only for religious ceremonies, but community events as well, including local graduation ceremonies and an annual performance of Handel's Messiah that has become a mainstay of the KC Christmas holiday season.