THEIR FACES TOWARD HOPE: THE LONG

JOURNEY TO UTAH PART 1The 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 movementPalmyra 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 Rigdon Oliver Cowdery Martin 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 1830-1838 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 movementPalmyra and Fayette, New York

Kirtland, Ohio

Jackson County, Missouri

Nauvoo, Illinois

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

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 Some former Mormons began

publishing an anti-Mormon newspaper in Nauvoo.

Joseph Smith ordered that the press be destroyed.

Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were sent to jail for this.

End of an Era 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