The Mormons

Who were the Mormons?

They were a religious sect a.k.a. Church of Jesus Christ of the LatterDay Saints. The sect began in 1827 when Joseph Smith said he dug up golden plates from a hillside. By 1830, he had hundreds of followers.

Mormons on the move...

The sect began in New York State. In 1830, they moved to Kirtland, Ohio... Then to Missouri in 1837.. They left Missouri in the winter of 1838... They left Nauvoo for the Great Salt Lake in 1846... ... And finally stayed there!

Why were the Mormons always on the move?

They had strong religious convictions.

They looked down on Gentiles (non-Mormons).

They criticised Gentiles for sinful behaviour.

They worked hard and were successful. Mormons were blamed for the economic collapse in Kirtland. Mormons said that Black people and Indians were equal......

.....Why were the Mormons always on the

move? Continued...

The Mormons built up their own army to defend themselves in Nauvoo.

Rumours spread that Mormons were going to take over government. Smith destroyed the press of a newspaper that criticised him. Some Mormons practised polygamy.

The Great Salt Lake was barren and would involve a trek across the hostile Plains. Why did the Mormons go?
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Why Salt Lake?

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For the same reasons that they moved from other places to get away from their enemies. To create their own holy place. If that was a place where no-one else was, that was a perfect place for the Mormons to start again, and build their own society!

Crossing the Plains

They were led by Brigham Young, a brilliant organiser. They experienced the same harsh weather as others who crossed the Plains, the same lack of facilities etc. 700 people died form bitter cold and plague.

The wagon train was well organised. Discipline was very strict. The vast majority of Mormons made the trip successfully. Their belief was strong.

How successful were they in Salt Lake City? Why were they successful?

Success at last?

In 1847, the Mormons arrived at the Great Salt Lake. There was nothing else there!!!
They had to make the desert bloom!

Young had total control the people believed he was inspired by God, and did as he said.

Success? Continued...

There was no private ownership of land or water.

Mormons worked together to build an irrigation system.

Each family was allocated a plot of land and a time for drawing water. By the spring of 1848, they were starving. Converts kept flocking to the settlement. The next harvest was better, and by 1850, Salt Lake City had become a thriving town.

The Perpetual Emigrating Fund was set up. It brought thousands of converts into Utah. Work on the temple began in 1851.

Trouble in Paradise?

In 1848, the USA gained the Salt Lake area from Mexico.

Young applied to join the Union, but it was rejected.

Instead the Territory of Utah was created, with Young as governor. The Mormons hoped to make all their own goods, but found that they still had to trade with the Gentile world.

Emigrants complained about the Mormons and rumours spread. The government sent the army against the Mormons in 1857. The Mountain Meadows Massacre took place in 1857.

After this the Mormons had to accept a Gentile governor.

In 1896, the government finally accepted Utah into the Union, on condition that the Mormons agreed to ban polygamy.

Exam Advice
Here are examples of exam questions on the Mormons:
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Who contributed more to the Mormon movement, Joseph Smith or Brigham Young? Why were the Mormons disliked so much? The Mormons brought all the troubles they had upon themselves. Do you agree? Why did the Mormons move so much? Why did the Mormons move to Salt Lake City?

Exam questions continued...

6 How successful was the Mormon move to Salt Lake City? 7 Why were the Mormons more successful in crossing the Plains, than other pioneers? 8 How successful were the Mormons in Salt Lake City? 9 Why were the Mormons successful in Salt Lake City?