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Polygamy Established
The Prophet Joseph Smith recieved revelation on July 17, 1831 that plural marriage should be practiced by some members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints if specifically commanded to do so. -
Nauvoo Expositor Published
The Nauvoo Expositor, a newspaper in Nauvoo, Illinois, published one issue - including an attack on Joseph Smith and other church leaders for practicing polygamy. -
Mormons enter the Salt Lake Valley
Mormon pioneers enter the Salt Lake Valley, hoping to be free from persecution and free to practice their religion, in land that was governed by Mexico at the time. -
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
After winning the Mexican War, the United States recieved territory from Mexico - including the land being settled by the Mormons. -
Constitutional Convention proposing State of Deseret
A meeting held in Salt Lake City proposed the "State of Deseret", which would encompass the present state of Utah, most of Nevada and Arizona and parts of southern California, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, and Idaho. -
Congress organizes Utah Territory
Objecting to the large size of the "State of Deseret" and outlining a basis for government for the Utah Territory until they could achieve statehood. Brigham Young is established as governor. -
Constitutional Convention in Salt Lake City
An assembly met together to right a state constitution and attempt statehood again. Advised against the attempt, they were again unsuccessful. Later in 1856, Congress would declare the "duty of Congress to prohibit in the territories those twin relics of barbarism--polygamy and slavery." -
Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act
Targeting the Mormon practice of polygamy in the Utah Territory, Congress passed the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act of 1862 which banned the practice of plural marriage and limited the church ownership in any US Territory to $50,000. Interestingly, President Abraham Lincoln gave Brigham Young permission to ignore this act if they did not become involved in the Civil War. -
Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad
The driving of the "Golden Spike" and completion of the Transcontinental Railroad ended Utah's isolation. -
Formation of the Liberal Party in Utah
Non-Mormons organized the Liberal party in Utah in February 1870. The Liberal party and the People's party of the Mormons would frame political debate in Utah along religious lines. -
Poland Act is Passed
The Poland Act sought to eliminate church control over the court systems in Utah Territory. This act was intended to allow for successful prosecutions of polygamists in the Territory. -
The Edmunds Act
The Edmunds Act made it illegal for polygamists or cohabitants to vote, hold public office, or serve on juries. Over the next few years, many polygamists were imprisoned and several went into hiding to avoid persecution. -
Declaration of Grievances and Protest
To protest the heavy hand of the federal government, Utah officials met to write this declaration, which was presented to President Cleveland on May 13, 1885. -
Anti-polygamy Manifesto
Recieved as revelation to the Prophet Wilford Woodruff in September 1890 and voted upon by consent of the Latter-day Saints on October 6th, the "Manifesto" is an official church statement advising against future polygamist marriages. The Text of the Manifesto can be found here. -
Utah Achieves Statehood
The long struggle to statehood is over. Utah is proclaimed (by President Cleveland) to be th 45th state.
