Foreshadowing the Development of Lamoni, Iowa
1850s
Not all LATTER DAY SAINTS who gathered at the Missouri River in western Iowa and eastern Nebraska Territory went west to Utah. Many became ill and died. Others, including members of the Smith family, remained behind sensing other callings. Travel along the Mormon Trail was not only westward. Iowa became home for many who traveled to Utah, grew dissatisfied, and returned.
1860s
By the 1860s, the Midwest became fertile ground for a moderate variety of Mormonism, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS) [now known as Community of Christ], that coalesced under the leadership of Joseph Smith III, son of the founding Mormon prophet, Joseph Smith Jr.
Joseph Smith III, became Prophet and President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1860.
Founding of Lamoni, Iowa
1870-1880s
By the late 1870s, RLDS Church members were living in a scattered condition throughout the Midwest. Joseph Smith III and RLDS Church officers authorized the selection of a place for gathering.
Early plat map of Lamoni, Iowa, ca. 1880
The Order of Enoch, a stewardship company, acting for the benefit of the RLDS church, purchased land in Decatur County, Iowa. With their purchases, Lamoni, Iowa became RLDS Church headquarters in 1881. The gathering of the RLDS Church to the new community had a significant influence on the cultural development of Lamoni. Also, members held many positions of community and business leadership.
The town of Lamoni developed rapidly, shown from southwest, ca. 1930.
The rapidly growing Lamoni community spawned many types of cultural activities.
Townsfolk shared the national passion for Baseball. A son of Joseph Smith III, Frederick Madison Smith, was a familiar figure in the community and participated on this team.
Frederick M. Smith later served as RLDS Church President from 1914-1946.
Another of Joseph Smith III's sons, Israel A. Smith, was elected as State Representative for southern Iowa.
Israel Smith served as President of the RLDS Church from 1946-1958.
Liberty Hall
Joseph Smith III made his home at Liberty Hall on the western outskirts of the town. Today Liberty Hall has been transformed into a museum depicting life in the Smith home at the turn of the century.
After Joseph III and the Smith family moved to Independence, Missouri, in 1906, the former Smith home served as a church home for seniors and was for many years known as Liberty Home.
Liberty Home, Lamoni, Iowa, ca. 1910
Liberty Hall Historic Center is open to the public 10-12 and 1-4 Tuesday-Saturday; Sunday by appointment, call 515-784-6133; Closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas-January 31. Go west from the I-35 Lamoni Exit, on Highway 69. Stay on 69, traveling west through the town of Lamoni. Where 69 turns south, continue traveling west on Main Street past Rose Hill Cemetery and the town limits to 1300 West Main. Liberty Hall is on the right (north side) of the road.
RLDS Church Headquarters at Lamoni, Iowa, 1880s
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