1. Mormonism and Illinois
Illinois History

2. Origins of Mormonism Joseph Smith (b. 1805) Western New York
Prophet
Western New York
Experiences visions
Told of Golden Tablets
Translates tablets into The Book of Mormon
Joseph Smith ( )

3. What is Mormonism? Belief in Bible in addition to Book of Mormon
Jesus’ dealings in the New World
Practice polygamy
Oppose Slavery
All excess money goes to Church
Abstaining from:
Alcohol, Tobacco, Caffeine Use

4. Tribulations
Searching for an area to fully establish their new religion
Kirtland, Ohio
Jackson County, Missouri
Violence
On to Illinois, 1839.

5. Illinois Purchase a small town Rename it Nauvoo
“The City Beautiful”
Granted powerful charter
Nauvoo Legion
2nd Largest Army in US
12,000 pop. by 1845

7. Hostility in Nauvoo
Non-Mormons in the area begin fearing Joseph Smith and his Church
Political Power
Large Army
Cultural differences
Saints begin questioning Smith as well.
Too power hungry

8. “were a set of unprincipled men, lawless, debouchees, counterfeiters, Bogus Makers, gamblers, peace disturbers, and that the grand object of said proprietors was to destroy our constitutional rights and chartered privileges; to overthrow all good and wholesome regulations in society; to strengthen themselves against the municipality; to fortify themselves against the church of which I am a member, and destroy all our religious rights and privileges, by libels, slanders, falsehoods, perjury & sticking at no corruption to accomplish their hellish purposes. and that said paper of itself was libelous of the deepest dye, and very injurious as a vehicle of defamation,—tending to corrupt the morals, and disturb the peace, tranquility and happiness of the whole community, and especially that of Nauvoo” -Joseph Smith (on the Nauvoo Expositor)

9. 1844. Smith orders destruction of Nauvoo Expositor press.
Joseph Smith and his brother are jailed for the destruction of property
While in jail, both are killed by a mob
Brigham Young takes his followers to the Salt Lake Basin