Exterminate them! There’s one, Cletus, git ’em!
In 1838, the state of Missouri issued an executive order to exterminate the “Mormons” (Latter-day Saints). It was signed by Governor Lilburn W. Boggs, a name that sounds like something out of Hollywood. The order, which was rescinded in 1976, gave formal sanction for the mass removal and killing of “Mormons.” Here’s the money quote.
“The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State if necessary for the public peace.”
A number of us were exterminated, others were raped and beaten, and thousands burned out and driven that winter. The wonderful folks of Quincy, Illinois gave them shelter and help (thank you Quincy-ites).
Having been chased out of New York, Ohio, and Missouri, the Church leadership moved to a marshy spot on the Mississippi in Illinois. They drained the swamps and built a city they called Nauvoo. It lasted about 10 years until they were driven again–this time into the West.
Why were the people in Missouri so worked up?
There’s a copy of a declaration signed by hundreds of the citizens of Jackson County stating why they were up in arms. It was written in 1833 at the beginning of their efforts to drive the Latter-day Saints out of the state.
The document reveals that a good number of those in the area felt the Latter-day Saints threatened the institution of slavery and the maintenance of a subservient class of Blacks in their state. Many of the same arguments and concerns appear in the declarations of independence that various Southern states drafted when they broke from the Union before the American Civil War. You can read the 1833 declaration here: “We, the undersigned, citizens of Jackson County…”
Wikipedia: “Missouri Executive Order 44”
Strippers
Las Vegas, Nevada was originally settled by a bunch of Latter-day Saint missionaries in 1855. No, we did not introduce the casinos and strip clubs. But didn’t we make it a nice place for them?
Wikipedia: “Las Vegas, Nevada”
1830 Frontier Prophet
The Church was organized in upper state New York in April of 1830 by Joseph Smith, who we believe was the first prophet called of God in modern times. The Church soon moved to Ohio (1831), then Missouri (1836), then, as stated above, Illinois (1839), all of which were were frontier states in those days.
Murder
Smith was murdered in 1844 in Carthage, Illinois by a mob of local militia.
How Utah became Latter-day Saint Central
In 1846 Latter-day Saints were forced by threat of violence out of Illinois and fled across the Mississippi into what was then Indian and Mexican territory. The leaders decided to go to a place where they hoped to be free of oppression. A place that they thought nobody would want. That place was the Salt Lake valley.
The Latter-day Saints were one of the main pioneer groups to settle the West. Brigham Young was the leader who organized that migration. The first groups arrived in 1847 in what would later become Utah. There were about 2,000 of them in those initial groups. Tens of thousands would follow in the years after.
Colonies
Young sent groups of Latter-day Saints to “colonize” numerous places in the West. By the time he died there were over 400 Mormon colonies in a corridor stretching from Mexico, up through Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and into Canada, which is one of the reasons why there are so many of us in the western states I listed above.
Stone Cold Sober
Brigham Young University (BYU) is owned and operated by the Church. The school, among other honors, has won the title of the most stone cold sober university. In 2018 it won it again for the twenty-first year in a row.
BYU Universe: “Toasting 21 Years “Stone Cold Sober”
What? I can’t get paid?
We have no paid ministry.
The vast majority of the positions in the Church are filled by regular Joes and Janes. So there are no elections or careers as pastors or priests.
You’re just minding your own business, and a leader ups and calls you to fill a position. For other positions you volunteer.
Woman Power
The Church has one of the oldest and biggest women’s organization in the world. It’s called the Relief Society.
Wikipedia: “Relief Society”
The Hormones are here!
In the Netherlands when you knock on people’s doors and introduce yourself as Mormons (Mormonen) some Dutchies like to make a joke and say, because the words rhyme, “Who? The Hormones (Hormonen)?”
You gotta love the Dutch.
Thou shalt eat . . .
We observe a health law that started with a revelation given in the 1830’s called the Word of Wisdom. That health code includes avoiding coffee, tea, alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. It also includes directions to eat grains, fruits, veggies, and a little meat. Latter-day Saints live 8 – 11 years longer than the general White population of the United States in a large part because of this.
Wikipedia: “Word of Wisdom: Health Studies Regarding Latter-day Saints” , KSL News: “Life expectancy of LDS Church members far exceeds general population”
Thou shalt perish with hunger. . .
We fast—no food or water—for 24 hours (or as long as some of us can last) one Sunday a month to get closer to God and to give moo-lah to help the poor. Strangely enough, researchers have found that this once-a-month practice reduces risk of heart disease.
KSL News: “Study: Periodic fasting good for health, heart”
Green Jell-O
Utah has a strange affinity for Jell-O and holds the title of largest consumption per capita, which we wrested from Iowa (take that, you sod busters). To recognize this strange affection, Utahans made the dessert the official snack food of the state.
Wikipedia: “Mormon Corridor: Jell-O Belt”, “List of US State Foods”
A Year’s Supply of Guns and Ammo?
No, we aren’t commanded to keep any type of arsenal as some think. But we are asked to live providently and be prepared for emergencies. A part of that is keeping a year’s supply of basic food items.
More! I want more interesting tidbits about Latter-day Saints.
Sure. Read What The Heck Is A Latter-day Saint.
