The Mormons were founded by 14 year old Joseph Smith in Palmyra, New York State, in 1823.

Joseph Smith

He claimed to have been visited by an angel called Moroni who told him about some gold plates which were hidden in the mountains.

These gold plates were missing stories from the Bible which said the lost tribes of Israel travelled to America. Jesus Christ appeared in America before the tribes started fighting.

Smith wrote down this story and had it published as the Book of Mormon in 1830. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was begun. He was a good public speaker and attracted a few followers. But people thought he was a fraud and the Mormons were chased out of New York State.

1831-37 Kirtland, Ohio

By this time Smith had over 1,000 followers. They built a small close-knit community with a bank, a mill, a store and a printing press. Mormons paid 10% of their income to the church. Many people (including non-Mormons or gentiles) put their money in the Mormons' bank.

But in 1837 the economic crisis forced many banks, including the Mormons', to close and savers lost their money. They were chased out of Kirtland!

1837-38 Missouri

People in Missouri were already hostile to these settlers, but when the Mormons were accused of helping black slaves to escape and stirring up the local Indians, the state governor said they should be 'exterminated or driven out'. The Danites - special Mormon secret police were founded.

1839-46 Nauvoo, Illinois

Smith was unwilling to go West like most other settlers. He did not want to go into the 'Great American Desert' as it was known. Instead they went to Commerce, Illinois and renamed it Nauvoo. The population grew very quickly.

There were now 33,000 Mormons. Many were being converted in Europe by missionaries from amongst the poorest sections of society. An armed militia called the Nauvoo Legion was set up to protect the community. Many were wary of the power of Smith and the Mormons now, especially when he announced he was going to run for US President.

The crunch year came in 1844 when Smith announced that god said that men could have more than one wife. There were more women than men amongst the Mormons, but many were angry at this idea.

When the non-Mormons heard about it they were even more outraged! A mob attacked the jail where Smith had been imprisoned and killed him and his brother Hyrum on 27 June 1845. The rest of the believers were in big danger.

The killing of the Smith brothers

The first part of the Mormon story was over.

Part Two