The Death of Joseph Smith as a Turning Point in the History of the Mormons

The Death of Joseph Smith as a Turning Point in the History of the Mormons

The death of Joseph Smith was a key point in the history of the

Mormons. It indicated massive change from the ridicule the Mormons

had suffered. The Mormons had been ridiculed practically since the

formation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1830.

Once the Mormons had a big enough following, they looked to build the

City of Zion (God), in Kirtland, Ohio. Under the instruction of

Joseph Smith, the Mormons became a highly prosperous people – they

founded a bank, but in 1837, the bank collapsed when there was a

financial crisis and the Mormons were driven out of Ohio.

Smith then moved the Mormons onto a settlement that was an already

established Mormon community in Independence, Missouri. However, the

Gentile population of Independence hated the Mormons because of their

anti-slavery views. The non-Mormon population, too, were angered that

the Mormons tried to proselytise them, and they loathed that the

Mormons thought they were “God’s chosen people”. Again, the Mormons

were forced out of the settlement they had made.

Brigham Young got his first taste as being a leader when the rest of

the members of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles were arrested. Young

lead the Mormons to Nauvoo, Illinois under the instructions of Smith.

When Smith was released from prison, he obtained a charter that

practically meant the Mormons were independent from the United

States. However, when Smith announced he was running for President

the Gentiles panicked and Smith was arrested for a crime he took no

part in. Whilst in prison, he and his brother were shot dead.

So came the turning point of the Mormons. After the death of Smith,

the followers of Mormonism were breaking away and they needed a strong