Mormons

1. -Many Christians thought the new religion was 'contemptible gibberish'.
2. -People disliked the Mormon belief that they could have more than one wife.
3. -The Mormons cut themselves off from ordinary people ('the Gentiles').
4. -A group of Mormons called the Danites attacked Gentiles, and robbed them.
5. -People were afraid of the large and growing numbers of Mormons.
6. -People feared that the Mormons would take over the government and law courts.
7. -People said the Mormons were of low social class ('little better than our blacks' was a phrase used).
8. -People disliked the encouragement Mormons gave to slaves and to freed slaves to join them.

The Mormon Church was founded by Joseph Smith. He claimed to have been visited by the Angel Moroni in 1827 who told him where he could find golden plates that Smith would translate and publish as the Book of Mormon. Smith won many followers, but also angered others who accused him of fraud and blasphemy. By 1831 the Mormon Church had more than 1,000 followers, and Smith decided to move them to set up a City of God.

date          place              attraction                

1831     Kirtland, Ohio   A new start away from New York State, where Joseph Smith lived.

reason for leaving

In 1832, Smith was tarred and feathered by locals. In 1837 economic depression caused the bank he had founded to go bankrupt, and the Mormons were driven out altogether.

date           destination     attraction             

1837            Missouri       An area where few people lived, so offered some sanctuary.

reason for leaving

The Mormons were attacked by mobs, and an extermination order was issued by Governor Boggs. The Mormons angered people by speaking out against slavery and in favour of Native American rights.

date           destination                 attraction

1839         Nauvoo, Illinois           A swamp area, which most settlers avoided.

reason for leaving

The Mormons were hated by the locals, especially when Smith began to sanction polygamy. In 1844, Smith was killed by a mob.

date         destination                       

1847        Great Salt Lake             Described as an 'unpopulous' country where 'a good living will                require hard labour, and consequently will be coveted by no other people'

attraction

Described as an 'unpopulous' country where 'a good living will                require hard labour, and consequently will be coveted by no other people'