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Start of Mormons
The founder of the Mormon Church was Joseph Smith. Smith said that he had received visions that led him to build a new church. He began preaching Mormon ideas in 1830. -
The Mormons settle in Illinois
In 1839 the Mormons bought the town of Commerce, Illinois, and renamed it Nauvoo. Nauvoo became a prosperous community. -
New head of the Mormons and new location
In 1844, a mob of local residents killed Joseph Smith. After Smith's death, Brigham Young took over as head of the Mormons. Young decided that the Mormons should move again to escape persecution and find religious freedom. The Mormons would move west to the Great Salt Lake in present-day Utah. -
The Journey Begins
The Mormon migration began in 1846. About 12,000 Mormons made the trek in the largest single migration in American history. The Mormon's route became known as the Mormon Trail and served as a valuable route to the western United States. -
Destination Reached
In 1847 the Mormons finally reached the Great Salt Lake. There, Young declared that the Mormons would build a new settlement. The Mormons staked a claim on the dry, wild land they called Deseret. Soon they had set up farming communities. -
Acquiring Salt Lake Area
In 1848 the United States acquired the Salt Lake area from Mexico after the Mexican War. -
Utah Territory
In 1850 Congress established the Utah Territory. Brigham Young was named governor. -
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Mormons and the United States
In 1857 and 1858, war almost broke out between the Mormons and the United States Army. Utah did not become a state until 1896, after the Mormons officially gave up the practice of polygamy. -
Incorporation of Utah and Conflicts Mormons Face
By 1860 there were many Mormon communities, but Utah was not easily incorporated into the United States. Problems included the Mormon practice of polygamy and frequent conflicts with federal officials.
