Joseph Smith, founder of the newly formed Mormon religion in 1830, drew large crowds of followers wherever he went. From Ohio, to Missouri, to Illinois.
Explosive growth came in with the explosive doctrine. Grandiose claims of visions, Golden Plates, additional books beyond the Bible, heavenly powder, and a new Jerusalem did not go well with locals.
Doctrine was so controversial at times it was kept secret from the congregation. What couldn't be kept hidden was the illegal church ownership of personal property in Ohio called “United Order.” This fueled a riotous mob where Smith was almost killed. Along with charges of bank fraud, Smith fled to Missouri.
After the Ohio incident, the church formed a militia instigating fear with local Missouri residents. Due to their size and political influence, some towns tried to outlaw Mormon voting. In 1838, the “Mormon War“ broke out with aggressive skirmishes on both sides burning farms and pillaging towns. Even the Governor got involved by sending the Missouri state militia. The Mormons mistook the state militia for local vigilantes. The church was ordered to leave the state and their property. Smith was arrested to be executed for treason. In wild west fashion he escapes with the obvious help of sheriff and guards! Along with charges of treason, Smith fled to Illinois.
Sympathy and help from a few wealthy friends in political power in Illinois formed a new city there, which Smith named Nauvoo. He even received a charter of self-governance from the state. He applied to the president to govern an independent territory, was denied, and then ran for president himself. In 1841 a secret doctrine of plural marriage was introduced to the church leadership but broke out in a scandal.
Tensions ran high after the Mormon militia destroyed a local newspaper that objected to polygamy and the doctrine “of many gods”. Foreseeing trouble, the Illinois governor got involved, arrested Smith and upgraded the charge to treason as requested by the governor of Missouri. It did not help that the Missouri governor was shot and wounded by an alleged Mormon assassin. It all ended when Smith was killed and shot by a mob while in custody jumping out a window. click here
In the ranks Brigham Young jockeyed for control and developed the church further. He even headed for Utah during the Mexican War when it was still owned by Mexico. Where Smith courted political connections, Young became one as the first Governor of the new Utah Territory. He organized the largest settlement west and helped direct the creation of 350 towns. 29 days after arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, Young established the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He initially brought stability to the church and the wild west but bad choices brought his downfall.
He was pro-slavery; even enslaving Indians. He mandated executive orders to kill a whole tribe, even the children if necessary. The overzealous Mormon militia killed a total of 126 innocent traveling settlers on two occasions that brought Young’s final downfall. The settlers were killed when Young's militia tried to fend off U.S. President Buchanan order to bring a non-Mormon governor accompanied by troops. Mormon widespread influence on federal judges with obstruction of justice was the reason for Young's forced resignation. click here
Despite Young’s resignation, Smith and Young set the stage for the most shocking doctrine that has ever come to America!