Gilbert Whitney & Co. Store

The Gilbert and Whitney Store property is close to the town square and was part of the original Independence land sale in 1827. Sidney Gilbert and Newel K. Whitney purchased the property and began building the store in 1832. The two-story, redbrick building served as a store and a central gathering place for the Saints. It also served as the bishop’s storehouse—a consecrated property used to provide provisions for the Saints.

In Ohio, Gilbert was a shopkeeper and business partner to Whitney. He was also serving as a bishop’s agent (Doctrine and Covenants 53). Sidney traveled with Joseph Smith and other Church leaders from Kirtland, Ohio, to Independence, Missouri, in the summer of 1831. On that trip, the Lord directed Sidney to stay in Missouri, where he took on the task of running the bishop’s storehouse in Independence.

In the Spring of 1832, the Lord offered clarification about the Church’s business interests in both Ohio and Missouri. The Church would unite into a single firm, or united order, for the welfare of the poor throughout the Church (Doctrine and Covenants 78, 82). This call to provide for one another laid a foundation for Church provisions and finances. While the Church no longer uses the same terms, today’s global welfare and self-reliance initiatives continue to fulfill these early revelations.

In July 1833, a mob ransacked Gilbert’s store, resulting in the loss of valuable Church property.

What to Expect

Today, the building is used as a grocery store. Visitors are welcome to explore the outside of the buildings and take pictures or enter the building during regular business hours.