In the early 19th century, upstate New York was a hotbed of religious ferment, often referred to as the “Burned-over District” because of the intense revivals and the formation of new religious movements that swept through the area like wildfire. It was in this context of religious innovation that Joseph Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon's genesis traces back to 1827 when Joseph Smith said he was guided by an angel to discover golden plates hidden in a hill near his home. These plates, Joseph said, bore the history of ancient American peoples. Smith translated the engravings into English, a process he said was enabled by divine instruments—seer stones placed in a hat to focus his vision on the text. By 1830, this translation was published as the Book of Mormon, a text presenting itself as an additional testament of Jesus Christ, chronicling the spiritual legacy of the Nephites and Lamanites and asserting Christ's visitation to the Americas post-resurrection.
The narrative resonated with 19th-century theories, notably those suggesting Native Americans were descendants of the lost tribes of Israel. Such ideas were prevalent in Joseph Smith’s time, with works like Ethan Smith's(no relation) "View of the Hebrews" and James Adair’s "The History of the American Indians" proposing similar conjectures. .
Gathering Followers: Conviction and Community
Joseph Smith’s charisma and the appeal of the Book of Mormon drew people to his fledgling movement. Converts sought a direct experience with the divine, which Smith's teachings provided. They were compelled by the promise of modern revelation and the restoration of ancient Christian truths.
Smith's followers actively engaged with his visions, participated in translating the Book of Mormon, and contributed to the church's early activities. This engagement helped solidify the community, enabling it to withstand upcoming persecutions and internal challenges.
Missouri: The Testing Ground
Missouri in the 1830s was the frontier, a place where societal norms were fluid and governance often informal. Joseph Smith declared Missouri as the site of “Zion” or the New Jerusalem, a sacred city where the Saints would gather in anticipation of Christ’s second coming.
However, the influx of Mormon settlers, their distinct religious practices, and their communal economic system stirred anxiety and resentment among Missouri’s earlier settlers. Tensions escalated rapidly, Mormons were seen as outsiders who not only threatened the traditional way of life but also wielded considerable political power due to their growing numbers. This fear was compounded by the Mormon’s defensive rhetoric, sometimes interpreted as aggressive or militaristic.
The situation boiled over into the 1838 Mormon War in Missouri, a series of violent clashes between Mormon and non-Mormon Missourians. The conflict reached its peak with the infamous “Extermination Order” issued by Governor Lilburn Boggs, which stated that the Mormons must be “exterminated or driven from the state.” The Haun’s Mill massacre was a horrifying climax to this conflict, where 17 Mormons were killed by a vigilante mob.
Polygamy: A Defining Controversy
Joseph Smith introduced polygamy to his inner circle through a revelation that he claimed to receive from God, which later became a controversial and defining doctrine of the LDS Church. Joseph Smith was sealed to over 30 women. The exact number, identities, and marital details of all the women are subjects of historical examination and sometimes debate.
His first wife, Emma Smith, wrestled deeply with her husband's plural marriages, vacillating between outright opposition and reluctant acceptance.
Nauvoo: The Mormon Metropolis
Forced out of Missouri, the Mormons sought refuge in Illinois, where they founded the city of Nauvoo in 1839. Nauvoo represented a fresh start, and under Smith’s leadership, it flourished. The city quickly grew into a vibrant community with its own militia, the Nauvoo Legion, and plans for a grand temple.
However, Nauvoo also became a source of renewed conflict. Non-Mormons viewed the city’s rapid growth and the Mormons’ self-governing theocratic tendencies with suspicion and fear. Smith’s consolidation of religious and political power—especially his role as Nauvoo’s mayor, chief justice, and general of the militia—was perceived as a direct challenge to American democratic principles.
The internal dissent, particularly around polygamy and Smith’s political power, led to the formation of the Nauvoo Expositor, a newspaper established by disaffected Mormons and others. Its first and only issue criticized Smith’s practices and called for reform. In response, Smith, acting in his capacity as Nauvoo’s mayor, ordered the press destroyed, a move that inflamed public opinion and led to his arrest.
Smith’s incarceration ended in tragedy when a mob stormed the Carthage Jail and killed him and his brother Hyrum. This martyrdom marked a pivotal moment in Mormon history, galvanizing his followers but also setting the stage for the Latter-day Saints’ eventual exodus to the Utah Territory.
The Succession Crisis
After Joseph Smith's death in 1844, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints faced a significant succession crisis. Several leaders emerged as potential successors, but Brigham Young, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, became the most prominent and was ultimately accepted by the majority of Mormons as the new leader. His strong leadership skills, decisive nature, and vision for the church's future solidified his position. Under his direction, the majority of Latter-day Saints moved westward to the Utah Territory, where they established a strong base in Salt Lake City, laying the groundwork for the church's future expansion.
Community of Christ
Joseph Smith's son, Joseph Smith III became the prophet-president of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1860, now known as the Community of Christ. This organization emerged from the remnants of the original church that stayed in the Midwest rather than migrating to Utah. Many members who were disillusioned with Brigham Young's leadership or who rejected the practice of polygamy found a home in the RLDS Church under the leadership of Joseph Smith III. Joseph III often spoke against polygamy, asserting that his father did not originate or practice it, despite historical evidence to the contrary.
Manifesto of 1890 and Abandonment of Polygamy
After Smith’s death, Brigham Young led the majority of Latter-day Saints to Utah, establishing a theocratic society. The practice of polygamy intensified conflicts with the U.S. government, leading to the 1890 Manifesto, which ended the official practice of plural marriage. This declaration was crucial for Utah’s statehood in 1896 and marked the church’s efforts to conform to American laws and norms. However, the manifesto also led to significant dissent within the church, with some members refusing to abandon the practice, leading to the formation of polygamist sects that separated from the mainstream Mormon Church.
These groups, including the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) and others, sought to continue the practice and maintain what they considered the original teachings of Joseph Smith.
Growth of the Church: Modern Mormons
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints boasts over 16 million members globally, ranking it among the largest U.S.-originated denominations. It emphasizes family, community, missionary endeavors. Their commitment to genealogy is pivotal, underpinned by doctrines like baptism for the dead, leading to a vast genealogical library. The church's growth is furthered by a large missionary program with over 50,000 global missionaries.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' westward expansion and settlement of the American West reflect a profound chapter in the nation’s history, echoing the Puritan quest for religious freedom. This monumental journey not only shaped the landscape of the West but also reinforced core American ideals of liberty, community, and the relentless pursuit of a place to practice one's faith freely.
References:
1. Joseph Smith Papers Project: An extensive collection of documents related to Joseph Smith, including journals, revelations, translations, and letters.
- Website: [www.josephsmithpapers.org](https://www.josephsmithpapers.org)
2. Church History Library of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Houses an extensive collection of historical materials, including manuscripts, books, Church records, photographs, oral histories, architectural drawings, pamphlets, newspapers, periodicals, maps, microforms, and audiovisual materials.
- Website: [history.churchofjesuschrist.org/library](https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/library)
3. BYU Studies Quarterly: An academic journal covering a broad range of topics related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members.
- Website: [byustudies.byu.edu](https://byustudies.byu.edu)
4. Mormon Historical Studies: A semi-annual, peer-reviewed journal contributing to an understanding of Latter-day Saint history and doctrine.
5. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought: A leading journal for scholarly thought and research about the Latter-day Saint movement.
- Website: [www.dialoguejournal.com](https://www.dialoguejournal.com)
6. The Journal of Mormon History: Provides scholarly articles contributing to the field of Mormon history.
7. Utah Historical Quarterly: A resource for Utah history, including the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
8. Signature Books Library: Offers a variety of publications, many of which discuss Mormon history from a more critical perspective.
9. Mormon Studies Review: An annual publication providing reviews and articles that promote critical scholarship and intellectual engagement with topics related to Mormon studies.
- Website: [mi.byu.edu/msr](https://mi.byu.edu/msr)
10. View of the Hebrew by Ethan Smith https://archive.org/details/ViewOfTheHebrews1823EthanSmith/page/n137/mode/1up
11.The history of the American Indians
by Adair, James
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