Temple Lot Case

In the early 1830s, the lot was designated by Joseph Smith as the site for a proposed temple for a prophesied city of "Zion" or "New Jerusalem".

[1] The Church of Christ (Temple Lot) (the "Hedrickites") ultimately found themselves in possession of the most prominent 2.5-acre (10,000 m2) portion of the 63.5 acres (257,000 m2) Bishop Partridge had purchased in 1831.

[2] However, construction continued and media reports of the day indicate that a habitable structure was in place as early as that summer of 1887.

[1][4] The Utah-based LDS Church also participated in the case, providing funds and legal advice to the Hedrickites.

History tells how they went there even before the death of their prophet and how they left post haste shortly after with the mob close behind.

This lot was taken possession of at that time and still remains unoccupied save by the meeting house of the Hedrick faction, who are holding it as the representatives of the true Mormon Church.

[1][4][5] The court also held that the doctrine of laches did not apply since the Latter Day Saints had been driven out of Missouri and were therefore unable to assert their rights to the property.

[1][5] The RLDS Church requested a second hearing by the Court of Appeals en banc but the motion was dismissed.

To counteract RLDS claims to be the true successors to Joseph Smith Jr., the LDS Church assisted by having women give court testimony about their polygamist relationships with him.

View east-northeastward of the "Hedrickite" Temple Lot today. The 2.5-acre "block" shown is the highest-elevation part of a 63.5-acre piece of real estate which has variously been referred to (also) as the "Temple Lot" or "Mormon Temple Lot" or "Temple Parcel" or "Temple Block" or "Temple Property" or "Greater Temple Lot", purchased by Edward Partridge on December 19, 1831. The portion shown in this photograph was re-purchased on behalf of trustee Granville Hedrick between 1867 and 1877.
The first house of worship erected on the "Hedrickite" Temple Lot, begun in April 1887 and completed in 1888 or 1889. Construction of this building prompted the "Temple Lot Suit" 1891-1896.