Kansas City Missouri Temple

Kansas City Missouri Temple
Temple in June 2012
Number137
DedicationMay 6, 2012, by Thomas S. Monson
Site8.05 acres (3.26 ha)
Floor area32,000 sq ft (3,000 m2)
Height150 ft (46 m)
Official website News & images
Church chronology

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Additional information
AnnouncedOctober 4, 2008, by Thomas S. Monson
GroundbreakingMay 8, 2010, by Ronald A. Rasband
Open houseApril 7–28, 2012
Current presidentRichard Scott Holman
LocationKansas City, Missouri, United States
Geographic coordinates39°13′12.96″N 94°30′3.15″W / 39.2202667°N 94.5008750°W / 39.2202667; -94.5008750
Exterior finishPrecast concrete
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms2 (two-stage progressive)
Sealing rooms3
Clothing rentalYes
NotesAnnounced at the 178th Semiannual General Conference. Ground was broken May 8, 2010 by Ronald A. Rasband during an invitation-only ceremony. An open house was held from April 7 to 28, 2012, with the dedication held on May 6, 2012.
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The Kansas City Missouri Temple is the 137th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The intent to build the temple was announced on October 4, 2008, by church president Thomas S. Monson during general conference. A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify beginning of construction, was held on May 8, 2010, conducted by Ronald A. Rasband. It is the first to be built in the Kansas City metropolitan area, and the second in Missouri, after the St. Louis Missouri Temple. The temple is 32,000 square feet (3,000 m2) and is on an 8.05 acres (3.26 ha) site.

It has a two-spire design, similar to temples in Logan, Manti, Rome, and Philadelphia. This temple was designed by FFKR Architects and uses an olive branch motif, along with art glass.

Previously in church history, attempts were made to build temples at Independence (1833) and Far West (1838). Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, selected and dedicated these locations, but construction did not proceed as church members left the area due to persecution. In 1994, Community of Christ, whose also traces its origins to the movement founded by Smith, completed a temple in Independence.

The temple is near other LDS Church historic sites; five miles away from Liberty Jail, where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were incarcerated in 1838, less than ten miles from Jackson county and Independence, and an hour's drive from Adam-ondi-Ahman, which church members believe is the place Adam and Eve lived after their expulsion from the Garden of Eden.