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.
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.
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.
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
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 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.