Mormon expulsion from Missouri

Mormon expulsion from Missouri. The expulsion of the Latter Day Saints from Missouri between 1833 and 1839 was a series of violent conflicts and forced removals that culminated in the issuance of an Extermination Order by Governor Lilburn W. Boggs. This period, often called the Missouri Mormon War, saw the Mormon settlers, led by Joseph Smith, clash with established Missouri residents over political, economic, and religious differences. The conflict resulted in the death of dozens and the forced exodus of thousands of church members from the state, a pivotal event in early Mormon history and American frontier violence.

Background and early settlement

The first Latter Day Saint settlers began arriving in Jackson County, Missouri in 1831, following revelations received by Joseph Smith designating the area as the site of Zion. Key early settlements included Independence, Missouri and the surrounding areas. The settlers' rapid growth, distinctive religious practices, and bloc voting—often in support of Andrew Jackson's Democratic Party—quickly created friction. Underlying tensions were exacerbated by the Saints' public opposition to slavery, which was legal in Missouri, and their perceived economic cohesion, which alarmed local settlers. Prominent early Missouri opponents included local leaders and newspaper editors like those at the Missouri Argus.

Escalation of tensions

Violence first erupted in July 1833 when a mob in Independence, Missouri destroyed the church's printing press, which was publishing the Evening and Morning Star. This was followed by the Tarring and feathering of church leaders, including Edward Partridge. In October 1833, armed conflict broke out during the Battle of the Big Blue River, leading to the forced expulsion of Saints from Jackson County. The displaced Mormons relocated to adjacent counties, primarily Clay County and later Caldwell County, which was created by the state legislature as a designated Mormon settlement area in 1836. However, tensions persisted as new settlements like Far West and Daviess County's Adam-ondi-Ahman grew rapidly.

The 1838 Mormon War

Open warfare, known as the 1838 Mormon War, began in the summer of 1838. A pivotal incident was the Gallatin Election Day Battle in Daviess County, sparked by a dispute at the polls. This was followed by Mormon raids, including one led by David W. Patten during the Battle of Crooked River. In retaliation, a mob of Missourians attacked the Mormon settlement at Haun's Mill, killing 17 men and boys. The conflict saw the mobilization of the Missouri militia, with units under Samuel D. Lucas and Alexander W. Doniphan surrounding the Mormon stronghold at Far West. Key Missouri agitators included figures like William P. Peniston and Samuel Bogart.

Extermination Order and forced removal

On October 27, 1838, Governor Lilburn W. Boggs issued Missouri Executive Order 44, known as the Extermination Order, which stated Mormons must be treated as enemies and "exterminated or driven from the state." Following the surrender at Far West, church leaders, including Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, were imprisoned in Liberty Jail. Under the oversight of state militia General John B. Clark, the Saints were forced to sign over their property and agree to leave Missouri. The mass exodus, involving over 10,000 people, occurred during the harsh winter of 1838–39, with refugees fleeing primarily eastward across the Mississippi River into Illinois.

Aftermath and legacy

The expulsion had profound consequences. The Latter Day Saints regrouped in Illinois, founding the city of Nauvoo. The events fueled a lasting sense of persecution within the Latter Day Saint movement and were cited in later conflicts like the Illinois Mormon War. Efforts for redress, including appeals to the federal government by delegates like John P. Greene to meet with President Martin Van Buren, were largely unsuccessful. The Extermination Order remained officially on the books in Missouri until it was rescinded by Governor Christopher S. Bond in 1976. The period is memorialized in Mormon scripture, including sections of the Doctrine and Covenants, and remains a defining episode in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the broader American West.

Category:1830s in Missouri Category:History of the Latter Day Saint movement Category:Religious persecution in the United States Category:Missouri in the American Civil War