1830: Smith and followers established a church in Kirtland, Ohio, which expanded rapidly. By 1831, a second church was set up in Missouri.
1832: Smith was tarred-and-feathered in Kirtland.
1833: Mobs destroyed the Mormon printing press in Kirtland and drove the Mormons out of Jackson County to Clay County.
1836: They were driven out of Clay County to Caldwell and Daviess Counties.
1837: Smith established the Society, which went bankrupt in 10 months; he was fined for illegal banking.
1838: Smith left Kirtland after a church split and set up in Far West, Missouri. The militia was formed to police, loot, and kill people who left the Church. After violence at Gallatin, a war broke out with the local Gentiles, including a battle at Crooked River, a massacre at Haun's Mill, and an order from Governor Boggs.
1839: Smith and Young established Nauvoo, Illinois, where Mormons were granted home rule. It grew rapidly to the size of Chicago.
1843: Smith announced that was allowed by the Church.
1844: Smith stood for President and declared that Mormons could become gods. He was imprisoned and killed by a mob. The Church split, with groups going to Texas, Michigan and Pittsburgh.
1847: The main body of the Church, under Brigham Young’s leadership, migrated to Salt Lake City.
Why were the Mormons so hated?
1. Government: Politicians feared Mormons would control the government and law courts.
2. Outsiders: Mormons isolated themselves from others, whom they saw as sinful “Gentiles.”
3. Danites: This violent militia looted from “Gentiles.”
4. Swamped: People feared the large, growing, immigrant Mormon population.
5. Polygamy: Mormons believed in having more than one wife.
6. Lower social class: Many new, poor converts were viewed as “little better than our blacks.”
7. Anti-Slavery: Mormons opposed slavery and encouraged black and freed slaves to join.
8. Not Christian: Many saw Mormon beliefs as “contemptible .”
Why did the Mormons move West?
1. Persecution: In 1846, Brigham Young informed the President they would leave the country for .
2. Unwanted land: Seeking land no one else wanted (e.g., Missouri, Nauvoo, Salt Lake), hoping to be left alone.
3. the Gentiles: Wanted to live apart from “Gentiles,” whom they saw as corrupt and immoral.
4. Home rule: Desired to govern themselves as they had briefly done in Nauvoo.
5. Young: Brigham Young’s leadership was crucial. He was seen as their Prophet, believed Salt Lake was the , and organized the migration.
How were the Mormons able to survive the journey to Salt Lake Valley?
1. Agreement: United in their belief that God wanted them to settle in Salt Lake Valley.
2. Travel preparations: Winter 1845-46, built wagons, collected supplies. Young struck a deal with the U.S. government: in exchange for sending the to fight in the Mexican war, Mormons could camp on Omaha lands; wages went back to the Church for the trek.
3. A led by Young went ahead to plant crops and build in Salt Lake, setting up stopover points and on the Missouri River.
4. Early start: Due to Gentile attacks, they set off in February 1846, unprepared and in winter weather, reaching Winter Quarters by June amid chaos and hardship.
5. Authority: Young was the unquestioned leader. He rejected suggestions to go elsewhere.
6. The – strict organization, with wagons divided into groups of 100, led by captains and lieutenants.
7. Endured: The journey involved fatigue, plague, harsh weather, and excessive heat in summer, but they endured.
Events
1830: Smith and followers established a church in Kirtland, Ohio, which expanded rapidly. By 1831, a second church was set up in Missouri.
1832: Smith was tarred-and-feathered in Kirtland.
1833: Mobs destroyed the Mormon printing press in Kirtland and drove the Mormons out of Jackson County to Clay County.
1836: They were driven out of Clay County to Caldwell and Daviess Counties.
1837: Smith established the KIRTLAND SAFETY SOCIETY, which went bankrupt in 10 months; he was fined for illegal banking.
1838: Smith left Kirtland after a church split and set up in Far West, Missouri. The DANITES militia was formed to police, loot, and kill people who left the Church. After violence at Gallatin, a war broke out with the local Gentiles, including a battle at Crooked River, a massacre at Haun's Mill, and an EXTERMINATION order from Governor Boggs.
1839: Smith and Young established Nauvoo, Illinois, where Mormons were granted home rule. It grew rapidly to the size of Chicago.
1843: Smith announced that POLYGAMY was allowed by the Church.
1844: Smith stood for President and declared that Mormons could become gods. He was imprisoned and killed by a mob. The Church split, with groups going to Texas, Michigan and Pittsburgh.
1847: The main body of the Church, under Brigham Young’s leadership, migrated to Salt Lake City.
Why were the Mormons so hated? [GOD’S PLAN]
1. Government: Politicians feared Mormons would control the government and law courts.
2. Outsiders: Mormons isolated themselves from others, whom they saw as sinful “Gentiles.”
3. Danites: This violent militia looted from “Gentiles.”
4. Swamped: People feared the large, growing, immigrant Mormon population.
5. Polygamy: Mormons believed in having more than one wife.
6. Lower social class: Many new, poor converts were viewed as “little better than our blacks.”
7. Anti-Slavery: Mormons opposed slavery and encouraged black and freed slaves to join.
8. Not Christian: Many saw Mormon beliefs as “contemptible GIBBERISH.”
Why did the Mormons move West? [PUSHY]
1. Persecution: In 1846, Brigham Young informed the President they would leave the country for PEACE.
2. Unwanted land: Seeking land no one else wanted (e.g., Missouri, Nauvoo, Salt Lake), hoping to be left alone.
3. SHUNNING the Gentiles: Wanted to live apart from “Gentiles,” whom they saw as corrupt and immoral.
4. Home rule: Desired to govern themselves as they had briefly done in Nauvoo.
5. Young: Brigham Young’s leadership was crucial. He was seen as their Prophet, believed Salt Lake was the PROMISED LAND, and organized the migration.
How were the Mormons able to survive the journey to Salt Lake Valley? [AT PEACE]
1. Agreement: United in their belief that God wanted them to settle in Salt Lake Valley.
2. Travel preparations: Winter 1845-46, built wagons, collected supplies. Young struck a deal with the U.S. government: in exchange for sending the MORMON BATTALION to fight in the Mexican war, Mormons could camp on Omaha lands; wages went back to the Church for the trek.
3. A PIONEER BAND led by Young went ahead to plant crops and build in Salt Lake, setting up stopover points and WINTER QUARTERS on the Missouri River.
4. Early start: Due to Gentile attacks, they set off in February 1846, unprepared and in winter weather, reaching Winter Quarters by June amid chaos and hardship.
5. Authority: Young was the unquestioned leader. He rejected suggestions to go elsewhere.
6. The CAMP OF ISRAEL – strict organization, with wagons divided into groups of 100, led by captains and lieutenants.
7. Endured: The journey involved fatigue, plague, harsh weather, and excessive heat in summer, but they endured.
