thumb|Engraving of the Courthouse in Independence, 1855 In 1831, members of the Latter Day Saint movement began moving to the Jackson County, Missouri area. Shortly thereafter, founder Joseph Smith declared a spot west of the Courthouse Square to be the place for his prophesied temple of the New Jerusalem, in expectation of the Second Coming of Christ. Tension grew with local Missourians until the Latter Day Saints were driven from the area in 1833, the beginning of a conflict which culminated in the 1838 Mormon War. Several branches of this movement gradually returned to the city beginning in 1867, with many making their headquarters there. These include the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), the Church of Christ (Temple Lot), the Church of Jesus Christ (Cutlerite) and the Restoration Branches.
thumb|engraving of the courthouse in independence 1855 in 1831 members of the latter day saint movement began moving to the jackson county missouri area shortly thereafter founder joseph smith declared a spot west of the courthouse square to be the place for his prophesied temple of the new jerusalem in expectation of the second coming of christ tension grew with local missourians until the latter day saints were driven from the area in 1833 the beginning of a conflict which culminated in the 1838 mormon war several branches of this movement gradually returned to the city beginning in 1867 with many making their headquarters there these include the community of christ (formerly the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints) the church of christ (temple lot) the church of jesus christ (cutlerite) and the restoration branches