Who were the Mormons Who were the Mormons and why was Salt Lake and why was Salt Lake

City unique?City unique?

1830 USA1830 USA

Who were the Mormons?Who were the Mormons? The The MormonsMormons were set up by were set up by Joseph Smith.Joseph Smith. He had become confused by preachers in America trying He had become confused by preachers in America trying

to spread God’s word but they did not say the same to spread God’s word but they did not say the same things.things.

Joseph believed he was Joseph believed he was visited by an angelvisited by an angel who told who told him to go to a hill side and him to go to a hill side and dig up golden platesdig up golden plates that that had had God’s wordGod’s word on them. on them.

The plates were The plates were different from the bibledifferent from the bible and said the and said the Israelites (JewsIsraelites (Jews) went to America before Jesus was born ) went to America before Jesus was born and fought each other until Jesus appeared and made a and fought each other until Jesus appeared and made a church there.church there.

Years later fighting started again and one of the few left Years later fighting started again and one of the few left was a man called was a man called Mormon. Mormon.

He recorded the stories on the plates and He recorded the stories on the plates and it was up to it was up to the person who found themthe person who found them (Joseph Smith) to restore (Joseph Smith) to restore the true church so Jesus would begin his 1,000 year reign.the true church so Jesus would begin his 1,000 year reign.

Why were they unpopular in Why were they unpopular in the East (New York, Ohio)the East (New York, Ohio)

The fact Joseph Smith didn’t let anyone The fact Joseph Smith didn’t let anyone see the plates and told the story behind see the plates and told the story behind a sheet made people suspicious. He a sheet made people suspicious. He published the published the Book of MormonBook of Mormon in in 1830.1830.

Many Christians found it blasphemous Many Christians found it blasphemous and attacked his house.and attacked his house.

He was seen in New York as a charming He was seen in New York as a charming con artist trying to make money.con artist trying to make money.

Kirtland, OhioKirtland, Ohio In Kirtland the Mormon movement went for In Kirtland the Mormon movement went for

strength to strength. strength to strength. By 1831 it had 1000 members and small By 1831 it had 1000 members and small

communities around Missouri.communities around Missouri. There success was their undoing- they worked There success was their undoing- they worked

hard, owned a mill, a store, a bank, and printing hard, owned a mill, a store, a bank, and printing press.press.

They soon outgrew the “Gentiles” and they They soon outgrew the “Gentiles” and they began to envy and hate the Mormons.began to envy and hate the Mormons.

It looked like they would take over everything It looked like they would take over everything and normal Christians saw their ways of and normal Christians saw their ways of “Performing miracles” and “talking to angels” “Performing miracles” and “talking to angels” as corrupting their town.as corrupting their town.

Kirtland continuedKirtland continued

After praying to God, he moved to After praying to God, he moved to Kirtland, Ohio and tried to set up a “City of Kirtland, Ohio and tried to set up a “City of God”. It was successful with more people God”. It was successful with more people being Mormons than not. (Gentiles).being Mormons than not. (Gentiles).

However, when the Mormon bank, as well However, when the Mormon bank, as well as normal ones, collapsed. Non- Mormons as normal ones, collapsed. Non- Mormons attacked the people who they blamed for attacked the people who they blamed for losing their money…, the Mormons. losing their money…, the Mormons.

MissouriMissouri

The The Mormons went MissouriMormons went Missouri but but were not well received there and were not well received there and riots broke out and property riots broke out and property damage.damage.

Mormons were rumoured to Mormons were rumoured to free free slavesslaves and stir and stir trouble with trouble with native Americansnative Americans..

Smith was imprisoned.Smith was imprisoned.

Nauvoo, Illinois Nauvoo, Illinois They moved to their own city called They moved to their own city called NauvooNauvoo

and did well there with nice buildings, healthy and did well there with nice buildings, healthy living and no poverty. living and no poverty.

They created a huge temple and tried to They created a huge temple and tried to create a perfect society. create a perfect society. No smoking or No smoking or drinking or crimedrinking or crime..

There was no poor or homeless because they There was no poor or homeless because they all cooperated and were honest.all cooperated and were honest.

By 1844 they had 33,000 members.By 1844 they had 33,000 members. They governed themselves and had there own They governed themselves and had there own

army the “Nauvoo Legion.”army the “Nauvoo Legion.” Their success was that they kept themselves Their success was that they kept themselves

to themselves.to themselves.

Nauvoo continued and Joseph Nauvoo continued and Joseph Smith’s death.Smith’s death.

BUT Smith started BUT Smith started having lots of wiveshaving lots of wives and saying God said so, this made him and saying God said so, this made him unpopular.unpopular.

And seeing many of the converts were And seeing many of the converts were women seeking sanctuary from Europe it women seeking sanctuary from Europe it was seen as taking advantage.was seen as taking advantage.

People were already suspicious because People were already suspicious because they kept to themselves!! Now they were they kept to themselves!! Now they were breaking God’s law to non Mormons and breaking God’s law to non Mormons and even Mormons themselves thought he even Mormons themselves thought he was a fake!was a fake!

He was taken to jail and in June 1845 a He was taken to jail and in June 1845 a mob broke in and killed him.mob broke in and killed him.

Brigham Young and the Brigham Young and the journey West.journey West.

Brigham Young become the new leader and Brigham Young become the new leader and was convinced the Mormons would never was convinced the Mormons would never be left in peace in the East.be left in peace in the East.

So they decided to go along the Oregon So they decided to go along the Oregon Trail to the most isolated place by the Trail to the most isolated place by the Great Salt Lake.Great Salt Lake.

The added attraction was that part of the The added attraction was that part of the Rockies was still owned by the Mexicans Rockies was still owned by the Mexicans and outside of US law. and outside of US law.

They agreed to leave Nauvoo in Spring They agreed to leave Nauvoo in Spring 1846 as long as until then they were left 1846 as long as until then they were left alone.alone.

The journey so far…The journey so far…

Exam questionExam question

Why did the Mormons move out to Why did the Mormons move out to the West?the West?

The decision had 2 problems;The decision had 2 problems;

1. how do you get 16, 000 Mormons 1. how do you get 16, 000 Mormons across the Plains and up the Rockies?across the Plains and up the Rockies?

2. how would they turn the salt flats into 2. how would they turn the salt flats into a rich thriving community?a rich thriving community?

Young was a brilliant organiser- (he’d organised Young was a brilliant organiser- (he’d organised the move to Nauvoo from Kirtland.)the move to Nauvoo from Kirtland.)

He was a determined man. Also he was He was a determined man. Also he was considerate- he married 8 of Smiths widows! He considerate- he married 8 of Smiths widows! He had 27 in total!!had 27 in total!!

Wagons we built. Oxen were bought, and food Wagons we built. Oxen were bought, and food and equipment were collected.and equipment were collected.

In Feb 1846 a pioneer band left to set up a In Feb 1846 a pioneer band left to set up a checkpoint called Camp of Israel, Iowa.checkpoint called Camp of Israel, Iowa.

The rest of the Mormons would meet there once The rest of the Mormons would meet there once organised.organised.

Once they left the Camp of Israel they started Once they left the Camp of Israel they started to leave in wagon trains made up of hundreds to leave in wagon trains made up of hundreds of wagons. In charge would be a captain and his of wagons. In charge would be a captain and his lieutenants.lieutenants.

Every now and then the first who set off would Every now and then the first who set off would set up check points with carpenters and set up check points with carpenters and blacksmiths so when those left behind got there blacksmiths so when those left behind got there they could have repairs, supplies and move on.they could have repairs, supplies and move on.

By June 1846 this chain of little settlement soon By June 1846 this chain of little settlement soon stretched 500 km along the journey up to the stretched 500 km along the journey up to the Missouri River. Missouri River.

Young set up a Winter camp with thousands of Young set up a Winter camp with thousands of cabins for everyone to stay.cabins for everyone to stay.

Most the Mormons had reached there by the Most the Mormons had reached there by the Autumn due to the excellently planned network. Autumn due to the excellently planned network.

The winter on the Prairies was awful and food The winter on the Prairies was awful and food and fuel was short in the bitter cold.and fuel was short in the bitter cold.

By Spring 1847 plague and bitter cold had killed By Spring 1847 plague and bitter cold had killed 700.700.

In April 1847 took a scouting party who had In April 1847 took a scouting party who had good endurance, farmer and craftsman the rest good endurance, farmer and craftsman the rest of the way despite being told that it was of the way despite being told that it was impossible to grow crops and other places were impossible to grow crops and other places were better. better.

He believed God had told him to go his way and He believed God had told him to go his way and by July 1847 they reached Salt Lake.by July 1847 they reached Salt Lake.

The journey continuedThe journey continued

They would get up at 5am and travel until 8.30- then bed by 9pm!

Salt Lake City- why so Salt Lake City- why so organised?organised?

Set up by new leader Brigham Young.Set up by new leader Brigham Young. It was intended to produce, manufacture It was intended to produce, manufacture

and make everything the Mormons and make everything the Mormons needed. No need to see the outside world.needed. No need to see the outside world.

It was set up by religious people so the It was set up by religious people so the temple was in the centre of the city. temple was in the centre of the city.

The city was planned around this.The city was planned around this. The nearest houses were given small plots The nearest houses were given small plots

of land and were for young ARTISANS who of land and were for young ARTISANS who had little time to work on the land. (5 had little time to work on the land. (5 acres)acres)

the city had ringed areas.the city had ringed areas.

Around the square land was blocked Around the square land was blocked off all the same size. off all the same size.

These were divided up for houses These were divided up for houses and gardens and given to small and gardens and given to small families or elderly couples. (8 acres)families or elderly couples. (8 acres)

As the city spread out more land was As the city spread out more land was given to larger families. (10- 80 given to larger families. (10- 80 acres.)acres.)

What does this map tell What does this map tell you?you?

The importance of working The importance of working together and watertogether and water

Water was ESSENTIAL. The Mormons Water was ESSENTIAL. The Mormons worked together to build a main irrigation worked together to build a main irrigation ditch throughout the farming land.ditch throughout the farming land.

Side ditches were dug so that all the land Side ditches were dug so that all the land could be irrigated. could be irrigated.

Each person was given an exact time from Each person was given an exact time from when to draw water.when to draw water.

With such well laid out homes and With such well laid out homes and cooperation each house had water for cooperation each house had water for themselves and farming.themselves and farming.

THE LAND WASN’T FERTILE AND NOW IT THE LAND WASN’T FERTILE AND NOW IT WAS!!!WAS!!!

Housing and streets.Housing and streets. This is important!This is important! The city was very well planned.The city was very well planned. All the houses were made out of brick and of All the houses were made out of brick and of

a good standard compared to other settlers.a good standard compared to other settlers. The houses were neat and different The houses were neat and different

buildings had different purposes.buildings had different purposes. The streets were well planned also as we The streets were well planned also as we

can see in the earlier map. Long straight can see in the earlier map. Long straight roads and split into blocks to make roads and split into blocks to make transport easier.transport easier.

1887- 20 years in and they have this great 1887- 20 years in and they have this great city- how organised is that!!!city- how organised is that!!!

Deseret (means honeybee)Deseret (means honeybee) Everything seemed to be going great BUT in Everything seemed to be going great BUT in

1846 the US government took control of the 1846 the US government took control of the area after defeating Mexico in war.area after defeating Mexico in war.

Young decided to create a state and called it Young decided to create a state and called it Deseret and applied to join the United Deseret and applied to join the United States. The US refused to recognise Deseret.States. The US refused to recognise Deseret.

They compromised- Utah was created as a They compromised- Utah was created as a territory NOT A STATE.territory NOT A STATE.

Young would be governor, but gentiles were Young would be governor, but gentiles were to be in government with him.to be in government with him.

For now it seemed the Mormons had found For now it seemed the Mormons had found their place of peace. their place of peace.

Mormons spread across Mormons spread across UtahUtah

Young wanted Mormons all over Utah.Young wanted Mormons all over Utah. When a new town was made a party was sent When a new town was made a party was sent

to dig irrigation ditches and mark out farms.to dig irrigation ditches and mark out farms. These included Carson City and Las Vegas.These included Carson City and Las Vegas. Then settlers were selected from a balanced Then settlers were selected from a balanced

number of farmers, craftsman and number of farmers, craftsman and shopkeepers.shopkeepers.

They were self sufficient and wheat production They were self sufficient and wheat production increased three times over from 1850- 60.increased three times over from 1850- 60.

Again cooperation and a shared goal was the Again cooperation and a shared goal was the key to success!key to success!

The Perpetual Emigrating The Perpetual Emigrating FundFund

For the Mormon settlement to develop further For the Mormon settlement to develop further more people were needed.more people were needed.

Young missionairies were sent to Europe, Far Young missionairies were sent to Europe, Far East and South America to get converts.East and South America to get converts.

They appealed to the poor and from England They appealed to the poor and from England alone almost 33,000 people came.alone almost 33,000 people came.

The Perpetual Emigrating Fund was set up to The Perpetual Emigrating Fund was set up to pay for the passage to Salt Lake.pay for the passage to Salt Lake.

Money was lent to immigrants to come over Money was lent to immigrants to come over and paod back once they reached Utah.and paod back once they reached Utah.

They were provided with oxen and wagons and They were provided with oxen and wagons and used the existing checkpoints.used the existing checkpoints.

Exam questionExam question How important was Brigham Young in How important was Brigham Young in

helping the Mormons overcome the helping the Mormons overcome the problems of establishing a permanent problems of establishing a permanent settlement at Salt Lake City in the years settlement at Salt Lake City in the years 1842-1858? Explain your answer.1842-1858? Explain your answer.

- The Church allocated land to each family- The Church allocated land to each family - An independent state of Deseret was - An independent state of Deseret was

requested in 1848requested in 1848 - The Perpetual Emigration scheme was - The Perpetual Emigration scheme was

set up in 1854.set up in 1854.

Mormon failuresMormon failures

They fell behind industrially due to not They fell behind industrially due to not enough money for machinery or workers.enough money for machinery or workers.

They set up textile factories, pottery They set up textile factories, pottery works and iron works to produce their works and iron works to produce their own goods.own goods.

Education was bad due to not enough Education was bad due to not enough money and many parents only wanted money and many parents only wanted their children to go to school for 3 months their children to go to school for 3 months a year because they were needed on the a year because they were needed on the farm!farm!

The Mormon WarThe Mormon War The Mormons were getting a lot more members moving The Mormons were getting a lot more members moving

West and tensions with the outside world grew.West and tensions with the outside world grew. The Mormons were accused of overcharging outsiders The Mormons were accused of overcharging outsiders

for supplies and ferry crossings.for supplies and ferry crossings. Prejudice led to rumours growing about Mormons Prejudice led to rumours growing about Mormons

wanting to kill all gentiles and were giving guns to the wanting to kill all gentiles and were giving guns to the Indians to help them.Indians to help them.

Brigham Young had supreme authority in Utah and had Brigham Young had supreme authority in Utah and had been bending the rules and this coupled with the been bending the rules and this coupled with the rumours led to suspicions from the US government.rumours led to suspicions from the US government.

The US sent an army of 2500 men to march to the The US sent an army of 2500 men to march to the Mormons. The Mormons saw this as soldier coming to Mormons. The Mormons saw this as soldier coming to kill them and destroy their homes.kill them and destroy their homes.

They deserted their homes and begun guerrilla warfare They deserted their homes and begun guerrilla warfare against the US army. They were so successful Salt Lake against the US army. They were so successful Salt Lake City wasn’t taken.City wasn’t taken.

The Mountain Meadow The Mountain Meadow MassacreMassacre It was a time of extreme tension.It was a time of extreme tension.

140 emigrants were passing through on the way 140 emigrants were passing through on the way to California.to California.

They didn’t like Mormons and abused Indians They didn’t like Mormons and abused Indians who had become Mormons by letting their who had become Mormons by letting their cattle into their fields and calling the women cattle into their fields and calling the women “Whores”. “Whores”.

The Indians killed 7 of them and the rest The Indians killed 7 of them and the rest barricaded themselves in. The Indians sent for barricaded themselves in. The Indians sent for 50 Mormons to help them. 50 Mormons to help them.

They decided to kill them all to stop the news They decided to kill them all to stop the news getting out!getting out!

The Mormons blamed the Indians but no one The Mormons blamed the Indians but no one believed them and soon newspaper headlines believed them and soon newspaper headlines across the US were screaming for the Mormons across the US were screaming for the Mormons to be dealt with.to be dealt with.

Results of the massacreResults of the massacrePanic spread across Utah.Panic spread across Utah.

Many Mormon families fled and surprisingly Many Mormon families fled and surprisingly people from the East felt sorry for them.people from the East felt sorry for them.

The US government said they would pardon The US government said they would pardon them if…them if…

They accepted the authority of the US They accepted the authority of the US government.government.

The governor would be a gentile.The governor would be a gentile.

If the Mormons agreed they would be left in If the Mormons agreed they would be left in peace.peace.

One disagreement One disagreement remained..remained..

Polygamy- what was polygamy?Polygamy- what was polygamy? The US government had passed a law The US government had passed a law

in 1862 it had been made illegal and in 1862 it had been made illegal and Utah had ignored it.Utah had ignored it.

However, in 1892 Utah asked to be a However, in 1892 Utah asked to be a STATE of the US and the price for STATE of the US and the price for admission was to ban polygamy.admission was to ban polygamy.

They agreed and in 1896 Utah They agreed and in 1896 Utah become a state. Part of the United become a state. Part of the United STATES.STATES.