Jackson County, Missouri
Photo: TheCatalyst31 with modifications by Kbh3rd, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jackson County encompasses 616 square miles in western Missouri, stretching along the Kansas border with a 2020 population of 717,204, making it Missouri's second-most populous county. The county uniquely operates with two county seats—Independence and Kansas City—one of only 33 such arrangements in the United States. Organized on December 15, 1826, and named for future President Andrew Jackson, the county became a focal point of American westward expansion and later, Civil War tensions. Today visitors can explore Independence, known as the "Queen City of the Trails" where the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California trails converged, alongside numerous historical sites connected to both Mormon settlement and Civil War history. Some theorists have pointed to Joseph Smith's 1832 prophecy foretelling a war beginning in South Carolina—delivered nearly 30 years before the Civil War's outbreak—as evidence of extraordinary foresight, with some suggesting divine or extraterrestrial sources for his knowledge. Historians and archaeologists note that Smith's prediction aligned with observable tensions already present in the early 1830s, particularly Missouri's volatile position as a slave state amid growing sectional conflict, making an informed geopolitical forecast plausible without invoking supernatural explanation. Smith's December 25, 1832 prophecy remains significant to Mormon theology regardless of its source, reflecting both the religious convictions that drew followers to Jackson County and the real political divisions that would soon make the region a flashpoint in the nation's path toward civil war.
Timeline
Jackson County officially organized on December 15 and named for Andrew Jackson
Mormon settlers arrive under Joseph Smith's leadership, establishing Independence as gathering place
Joseph Smith delivers prophecy on December 25 predicting war beginning with South Carolina rebellion
Mormon settlers forced to leave Jackson County due to conflicts over slavery and land disputes
Civil War begins with South Carolina's secession, fulfilling aspects of Smith's 1832 prophecy
What the Show Claims
- ›Joseph Smith's declaration of Jackson County as the site of the New Jerusalem was influenced by contact with the luminous being Moroni from the PleiadesS09E09
- ›Smith's 1832 prophecy accurately predicting the Civil War beginning in South Carolina nearly 30 years in advance suggests otherworldly knowledgeS09E09
Theorist Takes
“What we're seeing is a human-looking being with brilliant light coming off of it, who conveyed an intelligent message to Joseph Smith. There are some speculations that Joseph Smith was in fact visited by an advanced extraterrestrial being.”
From the Transcripts
“Jackson County, Missouri. 30 years before the Confederate cannons fired on Fort Sumter, marking the start of the American Civil War, Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith brought many of his followers here, declaring this location to be the site of the New Jerusalem.”
What Archaeology Says
While Jackson County's significance in Ancient Aliens focuses on religious prophecy rather than traditional archaeology, the area has revealed important historical evidence from the 1830s Mormon settlement period. Archaeological investigations in Independence have uncovered foundations and artifacts from the original Mormon community buildings, including remnants of the planned temple site that Smith designated as central to the New Jerusalem.
Historians and archaeologists have extensively studied the Mormon settlement period, with researchers examining both the physical remains and documentary evidence of Smith's time in Jackson County. The Jackson County Historical Society and Community of Christ archives preserve significant materials from this era, including original survey maps and settlement records that provide context for understanding the scope of Smith's vision for the area.
The scientific consensus treats Smith's December 25, 1832 prophecy as either religious revelation or an informed prediction based on escalating tensions over slavery, particularly given Missouri's contentious position as a slave state bordering free territories. Contemporary newspapers and political discourse of the early 1830s documented growing sectional tensions, providing context for how someone closely following political developments might anticipate conflict.
What remains genuinely intriguing to researchers is the specific accuracy of certain elements in Smith's prophecy, including the identification of South Carolina as the starting point and references to division that would involve "foreign nations." While mainstream scholarship attributes this to political insight rather than supernatural revelation, the precise nature of some predictions continues to generate discussion among both religious scholars and historians studying antebellum America.
Mysteries & Fun Facts
Jackson County is one of only 33 counties in the United States with two county seats: Independence and Kansas City
The county was named for Andrew Jackson three years before he became President in 1829
Independence was known as the "Queen City of the Trails" where three major westward routes converged
Jackson County's 2020 population of 717,204 makes it Missouri's second-most populous county after St. Louis County
Planning a Visit
Jackson County is easily accessible to visitors, with Independence serving as the primary destination for those interested in Mormon history and Civil War sites. The Community of Christ Temple, Independence courthouse, and various historical markers related to Smith's prophecies are generally open to the public, though visitors should check current hours and accessibility.
Kansas City, which serves as one of Jackson County's two county seats and provides major airport access.
Spring through fall offers the most comfortable weather for exploring outdoor historical sites, with mild temperatures ideal for walking tours of Independence's historic downtown area.
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Historical data sourced from Wikipedia