The Mormon Migration

A Religious Journey  Mormon was a nickname given to those people who gathered around Joseph Smith. The actual name of the church was and still is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  They were called the Mormons because they believed that the Book of Mormon was the word of God like the bible.

The Beginning of the Mormon Church  Mormonism got its start it in upstate New York.  In this time period, this part of the state was experiencing a “Great Awakening.”  This was a religious revival where many religions were competing for converts.

The Beginning of the Mormon Church  Joseph Smith was a young 14 year old boy at this time.  He attended many different religious services.  He was confused because he said that their doctrine differed greatly from religion to religion.

Joseph Smith

The Mormon church begins  In response to this he claimed to have a vision in which he saw God and Jesus Christ.  Smith also claimed that he received visits from an angel named Moroni who gave him an ancient record.  Smith said he translated that record into the Book of Mormon.

The controversy starts  Before and after the Mormon church was founded on April 6, 1830 there was persecution of the Mormons.  The biggest reason for the persecution was because the Mormons had much different beliefs than other churches.  Because of this the Mormons were forced from state to state.

Early Mormon movement Palmyra and Fayette, New York Kirtland, Ohio Jackson County, Missouri Nauvoo, Illinois

Early Mormon movement  From the beginning the Mormons were trying to gain converts.  The church established a missionary program that had immediate success.  One of their biggest successes included baptizing 130 people in Ohio from a congregation lead by Sidney Rigdon.

Other Early Leaders Sidney RigdonOliver CowderyMartin Harris David Whitmer

Kirtland, Ohio  The Mormons would relocate from New York and Pennsylvania to Kirtland, Ohio because of increasing persecution and the large conversion that had taken place in Ohio.  They lived in Ohio from until they were forced out by Mobs.  A lot of Mormons left the church.

Kirtland, Ohio  The Mormons had tried to establish a bank that failed.  This lead a lot of people to think that Joseph Smith was not a prophet.  Joseph and Hyrum Smith were both tarred and feathered.  Mormons were forced to leave a well-established community.

Kirtland, Ohio

Mormons in Missouri  From Ohio the Mormons moved to the western frontier in Missouri.  Mormons believed this to be Zion or the “New Jerusalem.”  The Mormons had some problems in Missouri because of their religion and politics.  Mormons were Anti-Slavery.

Mormons in Missouri  The Mormons were driven from county to county.  They were harassed and killed by mobs. (Haun’s Mill)  An extermination order was issued by Governor Lilburn Boggs.  Mormons were forced to flee, but they still believe they will gather in Missouri someday.

Early Mormon movement Palmyra and Fayette, New York Kirtland, Ohio Jackson County, Missouri Nauvoo, Illinois

 From Missouri the Mormons went to Illinois, where they established the community of Nauvoo in the swamps near the Mississippi River.  Nauvoo, meant “the beautiful” in Hebrew.  The Mormons finally felt that they would be left alone.

Nauvoo, Illinois

 One of the biggest problems for Mormons was the idea of Zion or of gathering as a people.  This lead to Nauvoo becoming the largest city in Illinois in only a few years.  There was also the problem of increased polygamy.

End of an Era SSome former Mormons began publishing an anti-Mormon newspaper in Nauvoo. JJoseph Smith ordered that the press be destroyed. JJoseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were sent to jail for this.

 While they were in Jail they were attacked by a mob and Joseph and Hyrum Smith were killed.  Many people thought the Mormon church would die with Smith’s death.  A new and dynamic leader would step up to lead the Mormons.

The death of Joseph Smith

Brigham Young