Independence Visitors’ Center

The Independence Visitors’ Center and its exhibits connect visitors with the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from its beginnings in New York to the Saints’ time in Missouri. The exhibits also teach about the plan of salvation and the Church in the modern day.

In 1904, the Church purchased 25 acres of land in Independence, Missouri. A portion of this land was part of the original 63 acres purchased by Edward Partridge in the 1830s. The site that Joseph Smith dedicated for a temple is owned by the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) and is located northwest of the visitors’ center.

On June 1, 1966, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held a groundbreaking ceremony for the newly planned visitors’ center. President David O. McKay and President Joseph Fielding Smith were in attendance. Five years later, in 1971, President N. Eldon Tanner dedicated the finished visitors’ center.

What to Expect

The Independence Visitors’ Center contains both guided and self-guided exhibits. Guests first move through the self-guided exhibits on the main floor. These include exhibits on the Church, its organization, the role of the Book of Mormon, and its teaching on families. The guided experience begins at the Christus statue. It then moves downstairs to a series of exhibits about the Church’s history in Independence. Downstairs there is also a children’s play area with a small play homestead.