The Early Persecution of the Latter-day Saints: From New York to Missouri

The history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) is marked by resilience in the face of intense persecution. In the early 19th century, members of the fledgling religious group faced hostility as they sought to practice their faith. This article explores their journey from New York and Kirtland, Ohio, to Missouri, detailing the opposition they faced, the reasons for persecution, and how they were received in Missouri.

The Beginnings in New York and Ohio

The LDS Church was founded in 1830 in Fayette, New York, by Joseph Smith. Almost immediately, its members encountered hostility. Their belief in modern revelation, the translation of the Book of Mormon, and their claim to being the restored Church of Christ challenged mainstream Protestant beliefs of the time. These theological differences led to accusations of heresy and stirred resentment among their neighbors.

In 1831, Joseph Smith and many members of the Church moved to Kirtland, Ohio, which served as one of their first major gathering places. Kirtland was a place of both spiritual growth and economic experimentation, as members worked to build a temple and establish a united community. However, financial difficulties stemming from the collapse of the Church-backed Kirtland Safety Society, coupled with increasing tensions with non-Mormon residents, led to the expulsion of the Saints from Kirtland in 1838.

Migration to Missouri: A Promised Land?

Missouri held a special place in early LDS theology. The town of Independence, in Jackson County, was identified as the location of Zion—a place where members believed was one of the places Jesus Christ would return to reign in glory. The Saints began settling in Missouri in the early 1830s, particularly in Jackson, Caldwell, and Clay Counties. Initially, the growing Mormon population was received with some measure of tolerance, but tensions soon escalated.

The Roots of Persecution in Missouri

Several factors contributed to the persecution of the Latter-day Saints in Missouri:

1. Religious Differences: The Saints' belief in continuing revelation and their communal living practices were perceived as threats to traditional Christian values and individualistic American culture.
2. Economic and Political Influence: As the LDS population grew, they began to wield significant economic and political power. Non-Mormon residents feared being outnumbered and losing influence in local elections and markets.
3. Abolitionist Sentiments: Missouri was a slaveholding state, and while the official position of the LDS Church at the time was complex, many members, including Joseph Smith, expressed abolitionist leanings. This placed them at odds with pro-slavery Missourians, exacerbating tensions.
4. Cultural Misunderstandings: The distinct religious practices of the Saints, including their communal organization and rapid growth, fostered suspicion among non-Mormon neighbors.
5. Native American Relationship: Mormons had friendly relationships with Native Americans. At a time when many settlers viewed Native Americans with suspicion or hostility, the Saints’ willingness to engage in trade and peaceful interactions with indigenous peoples alarmed their Missouri neighbors. Missourians feared that the Saints might form alliances with Native American tribes, potentially threatening the security of frontier settlements.

Hostility Escalates to Violence

By 1833, hostility in Jackson County reached a boiling point. Non-Mormon residents formed mobs to expel the Saints, destroying homes, printing presses, and other property. The Saints were forced to flee to nearby counties, but the violence followed. In 1838, tensions culminated in what became known as the "Mormon War," a series of violent clashes between Missouri residents and the LDS community.

The conflict reached its peak with the issuance of Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs' infamous "Extermination Order," which declared that Mormons must be "exterminated or driven from the state." This led to atrocities such as the Haun’s Mill Massacre, where a mob killed 17 Mormon men, women, and children.

The story of the Latter-day Saints' persecution underscores the challenges of religious tolerance in early America. It highlights how fear of the "other," combined with economic and political factors, can lead to widespread violence and displacement. Their journey from New York to Missouri, and beyond, remains a testament to their faith and determination in the face of adversity.