Anti-Mormonism

Abstract

Violent opposition to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints emerged shortly after the coalescence of the group in the early 1830s. Mormons were subjected to intolerance everywhere they settled. Local, state, and territorial governments were opposed to them in varying degree. After founder Joseph Smith was murdered in Illinois many Mormons migrated westward. Their practice of polygamy brought them continued criticism during the nineteenth century. Intolerance of Mormons was punctuated by numerous instances of organized violence against them.