Abstract

In 1836, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, better known as “Mormons,” successfully effected a settlement in northern Missouri. Subsequent efforts resulted in the erection of two principal cities, Far West in Caldwell County and Adam-ondi-Ahman in Daviess County. Smaller settlements were also made at Haun’s Mill, also in Caldwell, and at DeWitt in Carroll County. Less than three years after making their first settlement, however, the Mormon people were forcibly ejected from their homes in accordance with an official decree from the Governor of Missouri.

This study was undertaken with five basic objectives in mind: (1) to extend the depth of understanding regarding the colonization efforts of the “Saints” in the period and place aforenamed; (2) to examine what effect, if any, the unique religious teachings and practices of the Latter-day Saints had upon the difficulties which they experienced with their non-Mormon neighbors; (3) to determine the facts in relation to the rise of “Danites” and “Dissenters” within the ranks of the Church; (4) to set forth the causes and outcome of the so-called “Mormon War;” (5) to probe the evidence dealing with the expulsion of the Latter-day Saints from Missouri in 1839.

The Mormon colonization of northern Missouri was found to be rapid and sustained and a source of constant irritation for non-Mormons. Moreover, the unique religious teachings and practices of the Latter-day Saints were also found to be objectionable to their Missouri neighbors. These factors were among the leading causes of the Mormon War.

Additional contributing factors were brought about by the appearance of two groups within the Church whose avowed objectives were at variance with the Latter-day Saint ideals. The first of these groups, known as “Dissenters,” openly discredited the leadership of the Church and refused to be governed by sacred covenants which they had formerly assumed. Their actions resulted in the loss of their Church membership as well as their expulsion, by threat of force, from Caldwell County. The second group was dedicated to the overthrow of all who physically obstructed the building of God’s Kingdom. Religious ideals were secretly used for personal gain. The crimes of this group were successfully fastened upon Joseph Smith and his close personal associates following the Mormon War. Although the evidence shows that the Mormon Prophet and other leading Church officials had only a passing acquaintance with the “Danites,” as they were called, some of them spent the winter of 1838–1839 in jail for misdeeds not their own.

With few exceptions, the residents of northern Missouri were found to be opposed to the Mormons. Religious as well as civic leaders combined against them. An attempt to prevent the “Saints” from exercising ^[1] their franchise brought about the first blow in the Mormon War. Other clashes, more earnest and devastating, followed. Repeated appeals by Mormons and by military officers to the Governor of Missouri brought no relief. Few of the official State troops could be relied upon to help insure the safety of the Mormon people. When the Saints mustered in their own behalf and assumed the initiative briefly, Governor Lilburn W. Boggs was flooded with non-Mormon appeals for help. Acting in haste and in accord with popular demand, the Governor sent a force of six thousand men to subdue the “rebellious Mormons.” Thus was ended the Mormon War.

During the early part of 1839, the Saints left the State of Missouri under the most trying conditions. Following their expulsion, they told their story in all parts of the land, with the result that Missouri was unfavorably viewed by the nation’s press. Missouri officials replied with a campaign of their own. The result was a stalemate. The issues were soon dropped, but the bad feelings remained. ^[2]