In 1831, Latter-day Saints began to move to Missouri. Over the next eight years, they followed divine revelation to establish a community of believers patterned after the ancient city of Enoch. As they worked, they found themselves facing persecution from their neighbors. Violence from without and dissension from within the Church forced people to move from county to county and start over again. Eventually, the governor ordered all Saints to leave Missouri. Because of this expulsion, very few of the homes, farms, and businesses they established are still standing today. But the refining process of believing despite opposition forged deep faith in Jesus Christ and sparked additional revelation about what it means to establish Zion in our day.

Beginning in the twentieth century, the Church has created exhibits and monuments at Independence, Far West, Adam-ondi-Ahman, Richmond, and Liberty. Others have partnered with the Church to create monuments and mark gravesites elsewhere. Together, these historic sites provide evidence of the faith, courage, and sacrifice early Latter-day Saints showed in living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Visitors to these sacred places can learn more of the stories of faith, perseverance, and hope that remain central to the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.