The Missouri "State Legislature decreed that Caldwell County should be carved from Ray County and set aside as an area where only Mormons could live.
    When more Mormons arrived, from Jackson and Clay Counties, plans were made in 1836 for a new Zion on the rolling prairie of Southern Caldwell County, a city called Far West. Four broad avenues, each 132 feet wide, were laid out converging on a square where a temple would be built.
    Far West soon had about 3000 residents. By the summer of 1838, the high point of Far West's existence, the Mormon city contained more than 150 homes, four dry goods stores, three groceries, two hotels and a half dozen blacksmith shops.
    Joseph Smith and his Mormons began their "Grand Temple" one summer day in 1838, when more than 500 men went to work with spades and picks. Within a half day they had excavated an area 80 by 120 feet to a depth of five feet for the foundation of the temple. Then, more than 160 years ago, on 4 July 1838, the cornerstone was laid.

A few stones were hauled to the site. Today, these stones and a giant depression in the ground are all that. remain of the early town of Far West. For events quickly ended the work.
    Removal of the Mormons to county of their own had not ended tensions with the gentiles, as the Mormons called non-Mormons. Members charged the gentiles were envious of the rapid progress they had made developing the town and farms nearby. The gentiles said the Mormons were stealing their horses and cattle under a "divine revelation" which gave all property to members of the new sect." [William E. Dye, "Far West. . . Embattled Mormons," Kansas City Times (Thursday, 19 September 1963).]

    LDS Monument, ca. 1970

After the Mormons were forced to leave the State of Missouri in 1838-1839, Far West reverted to farmland. First John Whitmer and his family owned much of the surrounding property. Later RLDS members began to return and purchase farms in the area. In recent years, farmers sold out and the the LDS Church gradually came into the possession of much of the land. Development of the Temple area as a historical site begain in the 1970s. An impressive marker was installed and the Temple Site was fenced. Many travelers visit the area today.