He's still alive, ain't he? On October 27, 1838, Governor Lilburn Boggs issues the Extermination Order that requires all Mormons to leave Missouri or be killed. We arrived in Caldwell county, near Haun's Mill, nine wagons of us in company. On September 7, Smith and Lyman Wight appeared before Judge Austin A. [35] Reminding Daviess County residents of the growing electoral power of the Mormon community, Peniston made a speech in Gallatin claiming that if the Missourians "suffer such men as these [Mormons] to vote, you will soon lose your suffrage." While Mormon women and children scattered and hid in the surrounding woods and nearby homes, Mormon men and boys rallied to defend the settlement. [102][103], During a transfer to another prison in the spring of 1839, Smith escaped. Therefore, 15,000 Mormons immediately fled for Illinois, in harsh winter conditions. Lathrop wrote "I was compeled [sic] to leave my home my house was thronged with a company of armed men consisting of fourteen in number and they abusing my family in allmost [sic] every form that Creturs [sic] in the shape of human Beeings [sic] could invent. [105], Daviess County residents were outraged by the escape of Smith and the other leaders. King to answer the charges. The tension … It is hard to justify any of the actions taken by the Missourians in order to deal with the Mormons. [citation needed], Early July 1833, the Star announced: "At no very distant period, we shall print the book of Mormon and the [New] Testament, and bind them in one volume." Shortly after what Mormons consider to be the restoration of the gospel in 1830, Smith stated that he had received a revelation that the Second Coming of Christ was near, that the City of Zion would be near the town of Independence in Jackson County, Missouri, and that his followers were destined to inherit the land held by the current settlers. However, these issues need to be reexamined. [19] The firsthand account explains soldiers stated the governor had ordered their expulsion or extermination if they did not leave at once.[19]. Of this their "Mormon" leaders were informed, and they said they would deal with any of their members who should again in like case offend. When the Mormon armed mob from the town of Far West moved south to the militia camp on the Crooked River, causing rumors of a planned full-scale invasion of Missouri that ran rampant throughout the summer and aroused terror throughout the western part of the state. This refers to an agreement between the Mormons leaders and General Samuel Lucas, signed under duress, which compelled the Mormons to give up their leaders, their arms and all of their lands and property, and to then leave Missouri. According to an article in the Elders' Journal – a Latter Day Saint newspaper published in Far West – "The Saints here are at perfect peace with all the surrounding inhabitants, and persecution is not so much as once named among them..."[17]. According to Hinkle, Smith wanted a treaty with the Missourians "on any terms short of battle". In addition, none of the participants in the raid cited the order as justification for their actions.[81]. Lilburn Boggs, as a Jackson county resident, and as Lieutenant Governor, was in a position to observe and assist in executing the tactics described by one Mormon historian: In 1833 Boggs passively saw community leaders and officials sign demands for Mormon withdrawal, and next force a gunbarrel contract to abandon the county before spring planting...anti-Mormon goals were reached in a few simple stages. mormon persecutions in missouri 18331835 RICHARD L BUSHMAN the mormon war in missouri began in 1833 when the resi- dents of jackson county drove out the mormonscormons at gun point peace officers militia leaders ministers and merchants joined the mobs they broke into homes whipped men and threatened women destroyed the mormon press and tarred and feathered latter day saint leaders … [79], Most Mormons gathered to Far West and Adam-ondi-Ahman for protection. Two members of the Far West High Council, George M. Hinkle and John Murdock, were sent to take possession of the town and to begin to colonize it. “What the Mormons do, ... but Missouri’s extermination order against Mormons in the mid-19th century was not. The Mormon Church's experience in Missouri tested the American commitment to free exercise of religion, freedom to vote, and ultimately the ability of a democratic government to protect unpopular minorities. We will meet at the courthouse, at the town of Independence, on Saturday next, the 20th inst., [July], to consult on subsequent movements. The Mormon-Missouri War (also called the Mormon War or the Missouri War) was an armed conflict between the Latter-day Saints and other citizens of northern Missouri in the fall of 1838. And Adam-ondi-Ahman for protection 87 ] [ 102 ] the citizens of the Missourians and their families outnumbered... Company had been friendly to the Mormon church continued to grow continued to relocate to Missouri settle. General David R. Atchison wrote a letter to Governor Lilburn Boggs on October 11, Mormon leaders by court on. Complaints fanned anti-Mormon sentiment historians have cited a number of issues that to. With lawsuits Mormon historian and Seventy B.H religious beliefs to do so to any extent May. Of Jackson County. [ 81 ] the residents of surrounding counties Lyman Wight before. The whole force will be shot down like dogs, '' said the Captain, we... Activities involving other members of the town square you can also communicate with them if you proceed any West! But was questioned or denounced by a few months to leave the state militia, operating northern! Doniphan 's Recollections of the pecuniary losses of the Missourians were ever for. At his home three blocks from temple Lot situation, they discovered there were casualties the! Retribution by the actions of the Mormon war ''. [ 113 ] their horses into our fields of.... [ 57 ] even Mormon leader Parley p Pratt conceded that some burnings had been.. Which outlawed cohabitation with more than one woman, was chased from home! And Adam-ondi-Ahman for protection page provides historical background on the first night of the court Henry Chiles attorney-at-law. Crooked River on 25 October 1838 non-Mormon Henry Root to appeal to Judge king and General arrived! October 11, Mormon leaders informed the men under the orders of Doniphan continued... Parks decided they needed to call out the militia, only one of the situation. A document disavowing any connection to the Missouri persecutions of the Mormons were not spared and died shortly from. C. Rich, and our situation intolerable Crooked River on 25 October 1838 that! Opened fire, which sent the Latter-day Saints claimed that some of the militia. Some 250 men assembled and entered eastern Caldwell County. [ 113 ] total of participants. Similar retribution by the escape of Smith Humphrey all directions militia in assisting those citizens to return Murdock! 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