The turbulent events of the 1838 Mormon War in Missouri are vividly explored. Key moments include the Saints' organized resistance, leading to the infamous Extermination Order and the Hahn’s Mill massacre. The impact of Sidney Rigdon's provocative Salt Sermon is discussed, highlighting its role in escalating tensions. The rise of the vigilante Danites reveals the complex dynamics of faith and violence. This harrowing chapter raises crucial questions about the justification of violence in the face of persecution and its long-term consequences for the community.
The Mormon War of 1838 marked the Latter-day Saints' first organized retaliation against local settlers, escalating violent hostilities.
The infamous Extermination Order by Missouri Governor Boggs and the Hawn's Mill massacre exemplified the severe consequences of conflict for Latter-day Saints.
Sidney Rigdon's Salt Sermon incited a culture of aggressive defense among Latter-day Saints, deepening the cycle of violence and hostility.
Deep dives
The Mormon War: A Turning Point
In the fall of 1838, Latter-day Saints engaged in their first organized acts of retaliation during the Mormon War in northern Missouri. This period marked significant conflict between the Saints and local settlers, as the Latter-day Saints conducted raids on nearby settlements that were aiding their enemies, resulting in the destruction of property and escalated hostilities. The violence reached a critical point with the issuance of the infamous extermination order by Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs, which allowed for the forceful removal of Latter-day Saints from Missouri. This escalation led not only to physical confrontations but also ignited deep-seated animosity that would have lasting consequences for both the Latter-day Saints and the local population.
Violence and Justification
During discussions of violence in Latter-day Saint history, the podcast examines whether the use of violence is ever justified when defending one's faith. The hosts outline a three-tiered model of violence where the Saints’ actions can be categorized from victims of persecution to engaging as aggressors. As tensions grew, the Saints often found themselves justified in fighting back against their aggressors, but this model reveals the complexities of moral justifications and consequences of such actions. The hosts reflect on the problematic nature of equating religious beliefs directly with incidents of violence, emphasizing the importance of understanding the historical and social context behind these conflicts.
The Impact of Sidney Rigdon's Salt Sermon
Sidney Rigdon's Salt Sermon delivered on July 4, 1838, showcased an alarming turn in the rhetoric used by Latter-day Saints leaders, where he threatened severe consequences against those who continued to persecute the saints. The sermon, which invoked violent imagery and calls for retribution, set a tone of hostility and defense among the Saints. Following the sermon, Joseph Smith appeared to endorse the sentiment, contributing to a climate where both sides of the conflict felt emboldened to take violent actions. This created a cycle of violence that significantly intensified the conflict between the Latter-day Saints and their adversaries.
The Horrors of the Hans Mill Massacre
The Hans Mill Massacre on October 30, 1838, marked one of the darkest chapters in Latter-day Saint history, where 17 men and boys were brutally murdered by a mob while seeking refuge in a blacksmith shop. Prior to the attack, there had been profound tension and warnings, but the failure to heed counsel regarding evacuation ultimately led to tragedy. The massacre not only added to the suffering of the Latter-day Saints but also served to galvanize feelings of victimhood and desperation among survivors. The tragic aftermath of the massacre influenced Latter-day Saint leaders and members alike, leaving a legacy of fear and unresolved grief that would haunt them for years.
Consequences and Exile from Missouri
Ultimately, the violent events of 1838 culminated in the expulsion of the Saints from Missouri, significantly impacting their future settlement patterns and community dynamics. After violent confrontations with militias, including the Battle of Crooked River and the surrounding violence at Far West, the Latter-day Saints faced the realization that they had become outsiders in Missouri. With church leaders imprisoned and their community besieged, the Saints were compelled to organize a mass exodus, leading them to find refuge elsewhere. This exile prompted significant shifts within Latter-day Saint leadership and community structure, reshaping their identity and future endeavors.
The fall of 1838 marked the first time the Latter-day Saints engaged in organized retaliation against their enemies. The setting was Northern Missouri and the situation was what is referred to as the “Mormon War.” Here the Saints marched on some nearby settlements that were supporting and equipping their enemies and conducted raids where they pillaged stores and torched buildings. Things only escalated from there and eventually culminated in the infamous “Extermination Order” of Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs, the Hawn’s Mill massacre, the imprisonment of Joseph Smith and other Church leaders in Liberty Jail, and the wholesale removal of Latter-day Saints from the state of Missouri.
On this episode of Church History Matters, Casey and I walk through the history of this tumultuous time and think about what the conflict of 1838 might teach us about the justified and unjustified use of violence among Latter-day Saints—and its consequences.
