Mormons Journey to Utah and Utah Statehood

Joseph smith began preaching Mormon ideas

1830

Smith also published The Book of Mormon that year.

In 1839 the Mormon community bought the town of Commerce, Illinois, and then renamed it Nauvoo.

1839

Nauvoo became a prosperous community.

In 1844 a group of local residents killed Joseph Smith

1844

After Smith's death, Brigham Young took over as the head of the Mormons

In 1846 about 12,000 Mormons began migrating, and their route became known as the Mormon trial

1846

The Mormon trail became a valuable route to Western United States

In 1847 the Mormons finally reached their destination at the Great Salt Lake.

1847

Here Young declared that the Mormons would build a new settlement, they staked a claim on the dry land called Deseret

In 1848 the US gained the Salt Lake area from Mexico after the Mexican war.

1848

In 1850 congress established the Utah territory.

1850

Brigham Young was named governor

In 1857 and 1858 war nearly broke out between the US army and the Mormons.

1857

Utah did not officially become a state until 1896 after the Mormons gave up the practice of polygamy.

In 1860 there were several Mormon communities, although Utah was not very included in the US

1860

Problems included the Mormon practice of polygamy as well as often conflicts with federal officials. Utah did not become a state until 1896