The Saints were persecuted yet again

After a significant assassination attempt on their leader, the followers of this group faced severe persecution, resulting in their expulsion from the island. The Gentiles executed a premeditated plan to forcibly remove these followers, often under duress and in dangerous conditions. Armed with knives and pistols, a group of intoxicated young men rounded up the followers, instructing them to gather minimal belongings before heading to the docks. Once there, their possessions were confiscated and discarded, and they were sent away to places like Chicago or Illinois without any means of support. The plight of one family exemplified the desperation they faced, having been left without resources in an unfamiliar and challenging environment. The experiences of these followers mirrored the persecution that the Nauvoo era saints endured, compounded by the fact that they had already suffered heavily before. They dealt with the loss of leaders, repeated assaults on their settlements, and forced expulsion from their homes. Unlike other groups, the followers did not have the opportunity to regroup and find solace in a community, leading to a lasting dispersion and a continuing struggle thereafter. This chapter of their history is marked by continuous and profound hardship.