The Role Of The Mormon Extermination In Missouri

The Mormon Extermination in Missouri Some people search their whole lives looking for something to fulfill them, to give meaning, and to find purpose. Some go to their graves never finding it, but for others, they find that meaning and yearn to share it with others. In 1830, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was established by a man named Joseph Smith in New York. The members of this church soon received the nickname “Mormons” because of their adherence and belief to The Book of Mormon. For him and many others they believed they had found this purpose and wanted to share it with others. Almost from the start of this church, its members received persecution for their unique beliefs. As a result, they were forced to leave New York
According to the State of Missouri Staff, the Old Settlers took this as a good excuse to take the “law into their own hands.” Since the Old Settlers were supporters of slavery, they feared what might happen if their slaves heard about the Mormons and got ideas about freedom and equality. They did not want to face the retaliation of their slaves. In addition, with the missionary efforts of the Mormons on the Native Americans, the Old Settlers feared what might happen if the Mormons grew mad at them and decided to use the Natives against them. This constant flow of fear only increased as more Mormons showed up. This lead to an attack on the Mormons from the Old Settlers. From there, fights ensued and the Mormons petitioned the state of Missouri for help. According to Parkins, the state militia arrived, took the Mormons weapons, and proceeded by beating the Mormons. After that, the Mormons decided to head north to Clay County. While there, the people of Clay County were welcoming for several years, but as the flow of Mormons continued conflict arose once
This county was like a Mormon Indian reservation. It was the result of the “Separate but Equal” proposal instated by the government, and it was their attempt to resolve the conflict and place limits on who could immigrate into Caldwell as well as other policies. While living there, the Mormons filed multiple complaints about the poor treatment they received from the Old Settlers. They were often subjected to unfair trials, and a government committee was put in place to handle these issues. In one trial, the committee decided that it was “not of the character which should be desired for the basis of fair and candid investigation”. The people on trial were Mormon, so they decided that they didn’t need to have a fair trial, because it would make their trial too long, and they believed that the Mormons had the right to a “quick trial”, but not a “fair one”. They decided that gathering the necessary witnesses to make this trial fair would take too long, so they decreed it “Ex Parte”, meaning that the case will be taken before a judge without requiring everyone to be present. (The Joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the State of Missouri). This example goes to show the government treatment towards the Mormons. With their increasing numbers, they grew fearful of the power Mormons might develop in the government, and as a result, they grew distant to their