Independence Visitors' Center
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Date: February 1, 1967
President David O. McKay
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Counselor in the First Presidency Friday, March 10, 1967 Report of Meeting with President David O. McKay on March 10, 1967, at his Hotel Utah Apartment Office Prepared by Alvin R. Dyer ... The purpose of the meeting was to report to the President on an assignment given to me, to give consideration to the erecting of a Bureau of Information on the temple land property owned by the Church at Independence, Missouri. ... I explained to the President that the Prophet Joseph Smith, in the early days sent a plat plan of the city of Zion (New Jerusalem) which included the temple complex, from Kirtland, Ohio, to the brethren in Jackson County, Missouri. This plan was prepared in the Prophet’s own hand, and that the original was in the Church Historian’s Office. Conjointly with Brother Fetzer, we reported to the President that our study in this direction was to undertake, if we could, to ascertain which of the temple buildings designated would presumably be located on that part of the temple land that the Church owned. This we had arrived at, and had determined which of these locations would be concentrated upon, for the erection of a building for the purpose intended. The temple buildings, except the temple where the Lord will officially appear as spoken of in the revelations are represented on the Prophet’s plan as houses, buildings, or temples of certain orders of the Priesthood. There will be 25 buildings in all occupying about 35 acres. The hope of all this is to be as realistic as possible in the erection of a building, the basic structure of which could be used at a future date as part of the temple complex, but to be designed and erected now as a Bureau of Information. Brother Fetzer identified on the overlay sheet the particular building location which we proposed to use which someday perchance could be a part of the over-all complex. Brother Garff stated to the President that as he understood it our proposal now was for one building properly situated on our temple land which would be used for a Bureau of Information. That no other structure or any part of the temple complex is presumed. President McKay was very intent as he listened to the presentation, asking a number of questions concerning the size and facility of the structure being discussed. In answer to these questions, Brother Fetzer presented to the president several schematic drawings of floor plans, elevation perspective, access roads, parking areas, etc. These drawings indicated that the proposed structure would be two stories high with a floor area dimension of 61’0″ x 87’0″, which dimension is the same as revealed to the Prophet Joseph as the size of the complex buildings.
President Alvin R. Dyer
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The Ensign
President Joseph Fielding Smith
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A "beautiful, modern visitors center" was dedicated May 31, 1971, in Independence, Mo., according to the June 5, 1971, Church News. "The center, which has been under construction for the past two years, is erected on a portion of the original 63 acres dedicated for a temple by Joseph Smith in 1831," the article reported. "Nearly 5,000 persons attended the outdoor ceremony under skies which cracked with lightning and reverberated with thunder."
Joseph Smith
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An overflow crowd attended the 25-year anniversary of the Independence Missouri Visitors Center recently, witnessing a program that included talks by a Church area authority and stake president; music from a 100-voice choir; and congratulations from the mayor of the city. Elder Robert H. Parker, visitors center director, noted the overflow crowd was sitting and standing everywhere. "Although everyone couldn't see, they could hear and they could feel the spirit. It was wonderful," he commented.Patriotic and inspirational music was presented by local musicians, including the regional Heart of America Mormon Choir. ... Kay H. Christensen, area authority, reminded the audience that the visitors center is located just a few feet from the property dedicated by Joseph Smith in 1831 as the temple site in the land appointed to be the "center place" or City of Zion. ... Rain and tornado warnings threatened the proceedings, but following a prayer asking for the elements to be tempered, the clouds separated and no rain fell. Immediately following the benediction, an avalanche of rain drenched the participants.
Joseph Smith
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