Mission guide
Missouri Independence Mission
The Missouri Independence Mission connects missionaries with the rich Church history of western Missouri.
- English
- Spanish
Missouri Independence Mission shirts
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
Missouri Independence Mission T-Shirt
$29.00
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Missouri Independence Mission Heart Map Shirt
$29.00
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Missouri Independence Mission Flag Map Shirt
$29.00
Choose size & color →I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission
2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
Weak Things Become Strong, in the language of this mission
"I make weak things become strong" (Ether 12:27) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
About the mission
Missionaries serve in English and Spanish.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Main city
- Independence, Missouri (123,011 people in 2020)
- Time zone
- Central Time (UTC-6)
- Climate
- Warm summers, cold winters, about 44.66 inches of precipitation and 13.2 inches of snow each year
- Church in Missouri
- 84,311 members, 22 stakes, 181 congregations
- Mission languages
- English and Spanish
A short history of the area
The city became a departure point for the California, Oregon, and Santa Fe Trails and was known as the “Queen City of the Trails.” It is also the hometown of President Harry S. Truman and contains the historic Temple Lot associated with the Latter Day Saint movement.
The Church here
- 1831Joseph Smith told Church members that Independence, in Jackson County, was to be the gathering place of the Church. He also identified a location west of Courthouse Square as the site of a future temple.
- 1834Joseph Smith and 150 to 200 armed men known as Zion’s Camp arrived to protect Church members. A storm prevented a confrontation, and Zion’s Camp was later disbanded.
- 1838Far West became Church headquarters, and violence broke out in Missouri. Governor Lilburn W. Boggs issued the extermination order, and 18 men and boys were killed at Haun’s Mill.
- 1839Between 12,000 and 15,000 Church members fled Missouri for western Illinois and established the city of Nauvoo.
- 1855The Indian Territory Mission was organized after five elders were called to serve among Native Americans, including the Cherokee and Creek peoples.
- 1898The mission was reorganized as the Southwestern States Mission.
- 1904The mission was reorganized as the Central States Mission.
- 1970The mission was renamed the Kansas-Missouri Mission.
- 1974The mission was renamed the Missouri Independence Mission.
Temples nearby
Kansas City Missouri Temple
Dedicated May 6, 2012 · Near Independence
The Book of Mormon here
Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.
Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Before you go
Phrases to learn
- HolaHello
- ¿Cómo está?How are you?
- GraciasThank you
- Por favorPlease
Fun facts
- Independence was the farthest point west on the Missouri River where steamboats and other cargo vessels could travel because the Kansas and Missouri Rivers converge about six miles west of town.
- Harry S. Truman, First Lady Bess Truman, and their gravesites are in Independence.
- Leila’s Hair Museum has 1,500 pieces of artwork or jewelry made partly or completely from human hair.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.