Kansas City Missouri Temple Wiki
Quick Facts
ANNOUNCED
4 October 2008
ANNOUNCED BY
President Thomas S. Monson
GROUNDBREAKING
8 May 2010
GROUNDBREAKING PRESIDED BY
Elder Ronald A. Rasband
DEDICATED
6 May 2012
DEDICATED BY
Elder Thomas S. Monson
DEDICATION ORDER
137
LOCATION
7001 Searcy Creek Pkwy
Kansas City, Missouri 64119-5336
United States
PHONE
(+1) 816-413-1430
Description
History
The first attempt to build a temple in the Kansas City area was made by the early Saints in the 1830s when a temple site was dedicated in Independence, Missouri, in 1831. The site for a second temple was dedicated farther north in Far West, Missouri, in 1838. Those temples were never constructed, however, as the Latter-day Saints were driven out of Missouri pursuant to an extermination order issued by Governor Lilburn W. Boggs in 1838. Latter-day Saints had also settled in Kansas, but they left when Church headquarters were relocated to Nauvoo, Illinois, and then to Salt Lake City, Utah. As Church membership returned and grew in the Midwest beginning at the turn of the century, Kansas City’s first stake was established in 1956. By 2008, Church membership in Kansas and Missouri had grown to 100,000 members in 21 stakes.[1]The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, “Temple Announced for Greater Kansas City Area,” 4 Oct. 2008.
Announcement
President Thomas S. Monson made the announcement that a temple would be constructed in the greater Kansas City area during the opening session of General Conference on 4 October 2008.
Missouri Temples at the Time of Announcement
Announced
- –
Under Construction
- –
Dedicated
- St. Louis Missouri [1997]
ANNOUNCED ORDER
137
| Date | 2008 10 04 |
| By | Thomas S. Monson |
| Role | President |
| Via | General Conference |
⮜Preceded by Cordoba Argentina
Followed by Philadelphia Pennsylvania⮞
Announced 2008 10 04
Location Announcement
At the Liberty Missouri Stake Conference held on Sunday, October 12, 2008, President Lehnardt announced the site for the Kansas City Missouri Temple as west of the intersection of I-435 and Shoal Creek Parkway. The site is situated on a hillside, bordered by Shoal Creek, near the southern tip of Shoal Creek Valley—a beautiful mixed development owned by the Church in northeast Kansas City, just west of the Liberty Jail Historic Site. The temple is expected to be similar in design to the recently dedicated Twin Falls Idaho Temple and to be completed in about three years.[2]Reports from numerous members in the Kansas City area.
February 2009
It was announced that the Church had selected JE Dunn Construction as the general contractors for the temple. “We are proud and humbled that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would select JE Dunn as their building partner on the [temple],” said Terry Dunn, CEO. “We look forward to working to provide members of the LDS Church in the Kansas City region a special, holy place to call their own.”[3] “JE Dunn will build LDS temple in Kansas City,” Kansas City Business Journal 3 Feb. 2009, 3 Feb. 2009 http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2009/02/02/daily28.html.
May 21, 2009
Project representatives held a neighborhood meeting at the new patrol station located south of the temple property. About 20 neighbors accepted the invitation to attend where an explanation of the project was presented and questions were entertained.
May 20, 2009
The Kansas City Plats Review Committee considered the site plan, filed April 17, 2009, for the Community Unit Project that features the temple, adjoining meetinghouse, and 140 single family residential units. The plan was moved on for review by the City Plan Commission.[4] Virginia Walsh, City Planning and Development Department, Memorandum on Plats Review Committee Meeting – Wednesday – May 20, 2009, 13 May 2009, 27 Jul. 2009 http://www.kcmo.org/planning/devmgmt/PRC_agendas/2009/5-20-09.pdf.
June 2, 2009
The City Plan Commission of Kansas City unanimously approved with conditions a set of three proposals by Continental Consulting Engineers, Inc., for a 56-acre tract of land—generally located south of NE Shoal Creek Drive, east of Searcy Creek Parkway, west of Interstate 435 and north of NE Pleasant Valley Road—to (1) amend the Shoal Creek Valley Area Plan by changing the recommended land use designation from retail and residential to residential uses (2) rezone from Districts CP-2 (local planned business center district) and RA (agricultural district) to R-5 (high apartment district) and District R-1a (one-family dwelling district – medium density) and (3) approve a Community Unit Project plan for 140 single family residential units (R1-a zone), and a temple and a chapel (R5 zone).[5] “City Plan Commission Docket,” City of Kansas City, Missouri 2 Jun. 2009, 27 Jul. 2009 http://www.kcmo.org/planning/devmgmt/CPC/2009%20Dockets/06-02-09%20CPC%20Docket.pdf.
July 29, 2009
The Kansas City Planning and Zoning Committee (watch video) unanimously recommended to the City Council the proposed Shoal Creek Valley Area Plan amendment, rezoning ordinance, and Community Unit Project that would allow construction of the temple and meetinghouse (9.33 acres) and 140 single family residential units (46.72 acres) on a 56-acre tract of land southwest of the intersection of I-435 and NE Shoal Creek Parkway. The project will be built in four phases, likely beginning with the proposed 27.25-acre Central phase, which features the temple, meetinghouse, 41 single family residential units, and about 5 acres of private open space. The primary access to the temple will be from newly constructed Searcy Creek Parkway. The temple, meetinghouse, and parking complex will be bordered by proposed public streets: NE 70th Terrace, NE 70th Street, and N Ewing Avenue.ref]”Kansas City Council Record,” City of Kansas City, Missouri 30 Jul. 2009.[/ref][6] “Fact Sheet: Case Nos. 405-S-40, 11265-P-1 and 11265-CUP-2,” City of Kansas City, Missouri 2 Jul. 2009, 27 Jul. 2009 http://cityclerk.kcmo.org/liveweb/Documents/ViewAttachment.aspx?q=3xGy6Gmgrg4uZXBXaYrq2emqx%2F8YLaQ9yte1PgdH4PyrdESBdO8uJBtLGgbvMLjXN4TwsV6cOuPuWov9w%2B5XntG3JPYL%2F5YQ
July 30, 2009
The Kansas City Council unanimously adopted a resolution to amend the Shoal Creek Valley Area Plan and unanimously passed a rezoning ordinance and preliminary Community Unit Project for the 56-acre parcel where the Kansas City temple site is located. The preliminary Community Unit Project was approved subject to a list of 28 conditions. The conditions include the granting of various easements to the City, the acquisition of various permits, and the submission of various documents including the following: a plat map; storm drainage study; a street name signage plan; a grading, siltation, and erosion control plan; a final stream buffer plan; covenants, conditions, and restrictions; a tree planting plan; and a final site plan for approval.[7] “Kansas City Council Record,” City of Kansas City, Missouri 30 Jul. 2009, 13 Aug. 2009 <http://cityclerk.kcmo.org/liveweb/Meetings/CouncilMinutes.aspx?
August 18, 2009
The Kansas City Plan Commission recommended approval of The Meadows at Searcy Creek—then described as a 25-lot subdivision on 28.8 acres generally located at the northwest corner of NE Pleasant Valley Road and I-435 in District R-5 and R-1a.[8] “City Plan Commission Docket,” City of Kansas City, Missouri 18 Aug. 2009, 13 Aug. 2009 http://www.kcmo.org/planning/devmgmt/CPC/2009%20Dockets/08-18-09%20CPC%20Docket.pdf.
District R-5, a district for high apartments, was recently established at that location to allow for the height of the temple and an adjoining meetinghouse. District R-1a is a district for one-family dwellings. The Kansas City Plats Review Committee reviewed the plat on August 5, 2009.
Render Released
Sometime in the fall of 2009, a render appeared, likely presented to or in a city meeting, of a preliminary design for the temple. The exact date of release, and the exact place of release, is not known.
October 22, 2009
The Kansas City Council approved the final plat of The Meadows at Searcy Creek First Plat—the subdivision where the Kansas City Missouri Temple will be located. The plat subdivides approximately 26 acres, generally located south of NE Shoal Creek Drive, east of Searcy Creek Parkway, west of Interstate 435 and north of NE Pleasant Valley Road, into one church lot, 22 single family lots, and numerous tracts. A day earlier, on October 21, the Planning and Zoning Committee gave its recommendation of approval to the Council.[9] “Kansas City Council Record,” City of Kansas City, Missouri 22 Oct. 2009, 22 Oct. 2009 <http://cityclerk.kcmo.org/LiveWeb/Meetings/CouncilMinutes.aspx?
December 18, 2009
The official plat of the The Meadows at Searcy Creek First Plat was recorded by the Clay County Recorder of Deeds.
March 1–2, 2010
Numerous permits for the temple were issued contingent on City review for code compliance. The reviews, which are estimated to be completed by mid-April, include a building plan review, general project permit plan review, quality control review, grading and erosion control plan review, storm drainage study review, and miscellaneous items review.[10] “Project Detail,” City of Kansas City, Missouri 6 Mar. 2010 http://kivaweb.kcmo.org/kivanet/2/project/index.cfm?fa=dspjdtl&project;=CR201010837&jur;=KCMO.
March 9, 2010
A special inspections permit was issued for the Kansas City Missouri Temple, which establishes a series of on-site inspections to ensure that construction is following the approved plans and meets City code.
Groundbreaking Announced
text
Groundbreaking
On Saturday, May 8, 2010, ground was formally broken for the temple. Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy presided, and Elder William R. Walker, Executive Director of the Temple Department, was also in attendance. Elder and Sister Rasband and Elder and Sister Walker were among the speakers who emphasized the history and sacrifice of the Saints in Missouri, noting that a large part of the restoration of the gospel took place under the direction of the Prophet Joseph Smith in the area of the temple. The spiritual presence of those early pioneers and leaders could be felt by some in attendance.
Elder Walker remarked that soon after President Hinckley passed away, President Thomas S. Monson turned to him at the at the first Thursday meeting of the general temple committee and said, “Elder Walker, we are not going to slow down one bit in the work of the building of temples.”
Elder Donald D. Deshler, Area Seventy, urged those present to prepare their hearts, to be more like the Savior, and to purify their thoughts and actions to be worthy of the temple when it is completed.
GROUNDBREAKING ORDER
139
| Date | 2010 05 08 |
| By | Ronald A. Rasband |
| Role | Seventy |
| Attendees | ## |
⮜Preceded by Quetzaltenango Guatemala
Followed by Calgary Alberta⮞
Render Released
Along with the groundbreaking, an official render was released for the Kansas City Missouri Temple.
Finial
On March 24, 2011, crowds gathered to witness the raising of the gold-leafed angel Moroni statue atop the eastern spire of the Kansas City Missouri Temple. The statue and temple’s two spires arrived on site the evening of March 20. The eastern spire went up on March 21 and the western spire of March 22. A finial was installed atop the western spire on March 23, and workers had hoped to install the angel Moroni, too, but winds were too high to proceed.
Dedication announced
text
Open House
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| Start Date | yyyy mm dd |
| End Date | yyyy mm dd |
| Days | # |
| Attendees | # |
| Per day | A/D |
Cultural Celebration
The evening before the temple was dedicated, over 3,000 youth gathered to stage a cultural celebration in the Municipal Auditorium entitled “Of One Heart in the Heartland.” Prior to the performance, President Monson addressed the audience stating, “The stately and magnificent Kansas City Temple, in this lovely part of the country—really, the heartland of America—will be dedicated in the morning. It is, of course, the reason for this great celebration.” Highlights of the history of the Kansas City temple district were presented through narration, song, and dance in nine segments: Shining Hearts, Willing Hearts, Inspired Hearts, Courageous Hearts, Changing Hearts, Broken Hearts, Confident Hearts, Sharing Hearts, and Of One Heart. At the conclusion of the program, youth performed through their tears two original compositions written by Wendy V. Dyck entitled “We Believe” and “Of One Heart in the Heartland.”[11]Gerry Avant, “Kansas City Missouri Temple: ‘The reason for this great celebration,'” Church News 5 May 2012, 7 Jul. 2012 <http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/62319/Kansas-City-Missouri-Temple-The-reason-for-this-great-celebration.html>.
Dedication
The Kansas City Missouri Temple was dedicated in three sessions by President Thomas S. Monson on May 6, 2012.
On the day of the dedication of the Kansas City Missouri Temple, President Thomas S. Monson, 16th President of the Church, noted that the area was “where the Prophet Joseph Smith walked and where significant events took place in the early days following the Restoration of the gospel.”
“We are all aware of the history of the early Saints in Missouri and particularly in areas not far distant from where [the Kansas City Missouri Temple] stands. Over 170 years have passed since those difficult days,” said President Monson after arriving in Kansas City for the dedication. “Feelings have softened.”
With President Monson at the dedication were Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy, and Elder William R. Walker, executive director of the Church’s Temple Department.[12]Gerry Avant, “Kansas City Missouri Temple dedicated by President Thomas S. Monson,” Church News 5 May 2012, 7 Jul. 2012 <http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/62320/Kansas-City-Missouri-Temple-dedicated-by-President-Thomas-S-Monson.html>.
DEDICATION ORDER
137
| Date | 2012 05 06 |
| By | Thomas S. Monson |
| Role | President |
| Sessions | 3 |
| Attendees | # |
⮜Preceded by Quetzaltenango Guatemala
Followed by Manaus Brazil⮞
Construction Duration
| Span | Duration |
|---|---|
| Announced to Groundbreaking | 1 y, 7 m, 4 d |
| Groundbreaking to Dedication | 1 y, 11 m, 29 d |
| Announced to Dedication | 3 y, 7 m, 15 d |
Dedicatory Order
GLOBAL
137
REGION
N. AM
90
COUNTRY
US
65
STATE
MISSOURI
2
COUNTY
CLAY
1
CITY
KANSAS CITY
1
Summary
quick numbers on dedication order
Detail
Announced
- Concepción Chile
- Lisbon Portugal
- Indianapolis Indiana
- Urdaneta Philippines
- Hartford Connecticut
- Tijuana México
- Fort Collins Colorado
- Meridian Idaho
- Winnipeg Manitoba
- Barranquilla Colombia
- Durban South Africa
- Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo
- Star Valley Wyoming
- Paris France
Dedication Announced
Under Construction
Under Renovation
Presidents and Matrons
| Temple President | Temple Matron | Years Served |
|---|---|---|
| Creed Richard Jones | Renel Bloomquist Jones | 2024–2024 |
| Richard Scott Holman | Kelli Schiess Holman | 2021–2024 |
| Wayne Keith Miller | Loralee Priday Miller | 2018–2021 |
| Dennis Hanks Karpowitz | Dorothy Diane Carpenter Karpowitz | 2015–2018 |
| John White Hardy | Nancy Hatch Savage Hardy | 2011–2015 |
Details
Location
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Site
Location
address
| Latitude | # |
| Longitude | # |
Phone
Elevation
| Feet | Meters |
|---|---|
| 875 | 267 |
Site
| Acres | Hectares |
|---|---|
| 8.05 | 3.3 |
Exterior
Cladding
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Water Course
Windows
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Spandrel panel
Exterior Finish
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Architectural Features
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| Feet | Meters | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | # | # |
| To Shoulder | # | # |
| Width | # | # |
| Length | # | # |
| Footprint | # | # |
| Heading | Calc |
Symbolism
Inscription
text
text
| Order | |
| Location | |
| Language | |
| Type | |
| Color | |
| Setting | |
| Font | |
| Glyph | |
| Church Name | |
| Temple Name | |
| Dates |
Cornerstone
text
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| Location | |
| Faces | |
| Material | |
| Set | |
| Edge | |
| Type | |
| Finish | |
| Language |
Spires and Finial
Spires
text
Spire Details
| Spires | 2 |
| Location | East, West Center |
| Finish | Precast Concrete |
| Type | Steeple |
| shape | Square |
| Tower shape | Square |
Moroni
text
| Sculptor: | Karl Quilter |
| Commissioned: | 1978 |
| Completed: | 1985 |
| Material: | Fiberglass |
| Height: | 10 ft (3.2 m) |
| Weight: | ~400 lbs (136.1 kg) |
| Currently On: | 51 temples |
| Finish: | |
| Placed: | |
| Faces: |
Interior
text
text
Entry
text
| Area | 32,000 f2 (2,973 m2) |
| Floors above grade | 2 |
| Floors below Grade | 1 |
| Baptistries | 1 |
| Initiatories | |
| Endowment Rooms | 2 |
| Sealing Rooms | 2 |
Baptistry
text
| Baptistries: | – |
| Location: | – |
| Exterior Windows: | – |
| Artwork: | – |
| Artwork Type: | – |
| Oxen: | – |
| Type: | – |
| Hoof: | – |
| Color: | – |
| Layout: | – |
| Font Exterior: | – |
| Interior: | – |
| Shape: | – |
| Bowl Shape: | – |
| Pillar: | – |
| Stairs: | – |
| Font Well: | – |
Initiatory Spaces
text
| Style | – |
| Type | – |
| Rooms | – |
Instruction Rooms
text
Creation Room
text-images
Garden Room
text-images
World Room
text-images
Terrestrial Room
text-images
| Rooms | 2 |
| Type | Progressive |
| Capacity | # |
| Murals | n |
| Total Muraled Rooms | 0 |
| Mural Type | – |
Celestial Room
text-images
Sealing Room
text-images
| Sealing Rooms | 3 |
| Largest Capacity |
Contractors
Architect
[with additional version]
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Projects by Architect
Project Manager
[without additional version]
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General Contractor
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Other Contractor
contractor and position
Region
TEMPLES IN UNITED STATES by state
Total: 158
TEMPLES IN NORTH AMERICA by country
Total: 209
Sources and Citations
References
| ↑1 | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints News Release, “Temple Announced for Greater Kansas City Area,” 4 Oct. 2008. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Reports from numerous members in the Kansas City area. |
| ↑3 | “JE Dunn will build LDS temple in Kansas City,” Kansas City Business Journal 3 Feb. 2009, 3 Feb. 2009 http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2009/02/02/daily28.html. |
| ↑4 | Virginia Walsh, City Planning and Development Department, Memorandum on Plats Review Committee Meeting – Wednesday – May 20, 2009, 13 May 2009, 27 Jul. 2009 http://www.kcmo.org/planning/devmgmt/PRC_agendas/2009/5-20-09.pdf. |
| ↑5 | “City Plan Commission Docket,” City of Kansas City, Missouri 2 Jun. 2009, 27 Jul. 2009 http://www.kcmo.org/planning/devmgmt/CPC/2009%20Dockets/06-02-09%20CPC%20Docket.pdf. |
| ↑6 | “Fact Sheet: Case Nos. 405-S-40, 11265-P-1 and 11265-CUP-2,” City of Kansas City, Missouri 2 Jul. 2009, 27 Jul. 2009 http://cityclerk.kcmo.org/liveweb/Documents/ViewAttachment.aspx?q=3xGy6Gmgrg4uZXBXaYrq2emqx%2F8YLaQ9yte1PgdH4PyrdESBdO8uJBtLGgbvMLjXN4TwsV6cOuPuWov9w%2B5XntG3JPYL%2F5YQ |
| ↑7 | “Kansas City Council Record,” City of Kansas City, Missouri 30 Jul. 2009, 13 Aug. 2009 <http://cityclerk.kcmo.org/liveweb/Meetings/CouncilMinutes.aspx? |
| ↑8 | “City Plan Commission Docket,” City of Kansas City, Missouri 18 Aug. 2009, 13 Aug. 2009 http://www.kcmo.org/planning/devmgmt/CPC/2009%20Dockets/08-18-09%20CPC%20Docket.pdf. |
| ↑9 | “Kansas City Council Record,” City of Kansas City, Missouri 22 Oct. 2009, 22 Oct. 2009 <http://cityclerk.kcmo.org/LiveWeb/Meetings/CouncilMinutes.aspx? |
| ↑10 | “Project Detail,” City of Kansas City, Missouri 6 Mar. 2010 http://kivaweb.kcmo.org/kivanet/2/project/index.cfm?fa=dspjdtl&project;=CR201010837&jur;=KCMO. |
| ↑11 | Gerry Avant, “Kansas City Missouri Temple: ‘The reason for this great celebration,'” Church News 5 May 2012, 7 Jul. 2012 <http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/62319/Kansas-City-Missouri-Temple-The-reason-for-this-great-celebration.html>. |
| ↑12 | Gerry Avant, “Kansas City Missouri Temple dedicated by President Thomas S. Monson,” Church News 5 May 2012, 7 Jul. 2012 <http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/62320/Kansas-City-Missouri-Temple-dedicated-by-President-Thomas-S-Monson.html>. |
Last updated on: 30 September 2025