Extermination Order (Mormon War)

Extermination Order (Mormon War). The Extermination Order was a decree issued by Lilburn W. Boggs, the Governor of Missouri, during the Mormon War, which was a conflict between the Mormon settlers and the Missouri state Militia. This order led to the forced relocation of Mormons from Missouri to Nauvoo, Illinois, and had significant implications for the Latter Day Saint movement, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Community of Christ. The order was a culmination of the rising tensions between the Mormons and their neighbors, including the Missouri Mormon War veterans, such as Alexander Doniphan and David R. Atchison, who were involved in the Battle of Crooked River.

● Background

The background to the Extermination Order involved the increasing tensions between the Mormons and their neighbors in Missouri, including the Missouri General Assembly and the Missouri Senate, which led to the Mormon War. The Mormons had settled in Jackson County, Missouri, but were forced to leave due to violence and persecution, and eventually settled in Caldwell County, Missouri, where they established the town of Far West, Missouri. However, the tensions continued to rise, and the Mormon leader, Joseph Smith, and other Mormon leaders, including Sidney Rigdon and Hyrum Smith, were involved in a series of conflicts, including the Battle of Crooked River, which led to the issuance of the Extermination Order. The order was also influenced by the Danite activities, a Mormon vigilante group, which was involved in the Gallatin Election Day battle, and the Richmond, Missouri Mormon Lilburn W. Boggs Mormon Haun's Mill massacre.

● The Order

The Extermination Order was issued on October 27, 1838, by Lilburn W. Boggs, the Governor of Missouri, which called for the Mormons to be "exterminated or driven from the state". The order was a response to the rising tensions and conflicts between the Mormons and their neighbors, including the Haun's Mill massacre, which was carried out by the Missouri State Militia, led by William O. Jennings and William Peniston. The order led to a series of violent attacks on Mormon settlements, including the Haun's Mill massacre, and the forced relocation of Mormons from Missouri to Nauvoo, Illinois, where they established a new settlement, led by Joseph Smith and other Mormon leaders, including Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball. The order was also influenced by the Missouri Mormon War veterans, such as Alexander Doniphan and David R. Atchison, who were involved in the Battle of Crooked River.

● Aftermath

The aftermath of the Extermination Order was marked by a series of violent attacks on Mormon settlements, including the Haun's Mill massacre, and the forced relocation of Mormons from Missouri to Nauvoo, Illinois. The Mormons suffered significant losses, including the loss of property, livestock, and lives, and many were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in other states, including Illinois and Iowa. The order also led to the imprisonment of Joseph Smith and other Mormon leaders, including Sidney Rigdon and Hyrum Smith, in the Liberty Jail, where they were held for several months, and the Nauvoo Legion was formed to protect the Mormon settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois. The Mormon Perpetual Emigrating Fund was also established to help Mormon pioneers, including Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, migrate to the Salt Lake Valley.

● Repeal and Legacy

The Extermination Order was eventually repealed on June 25, 1976, by Kit Bond, the Governor of Missouri, who officially apologized for the state's role in the persecution of the Mormons. The repeal was seen as a significant step towards healing the wounds of the past and acknowledging the state's responsibility for the suffering of the Mormons. The legacy of the Extermination Order continues to be felt today, and it remains an important part of Mormon history and identity, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Community of Christ. The order is also remembered as a significant event in the history of Missouri, and it has been the subject of numerous books, articles, and documentaries, including the Joseph Smith Papers and the Journal of Mormon History.

● Impact on Mormon History

The Extermination Order had a profound impact on Mormon history, leading to the forced relocation of Mormons from Missouri to Nauvoo, Illinois, and ultimately to the Salt Lake Valley, where they established a new settlement, led by Brigham Young and other Mormon leaders. The order also led to the development of the Mormon concept of Zion, which emphasized the importance of establishing a safe and secure community for Mormons to practice their faith, and the Mormon Perpetual Emigrating Fund was established to help Mormon pioneers migrate to the Salt Lake Valley. The order is also seen as a significant event in the life of Joseph Smith, who was imprisoned and persecuted as a result of the order, and it had a profound impact on his leadership and vision for the Latter Day Saint movement, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Community of Christ. The Mormon Nauvoo Temple was also built in Nauvoo, Illinois, and the Mormon Endowment was introduced by Joseph Smith during this period.