Joseph SMITH
1844 - Mormon leader, Joseph Smith murdered; Mormons leave Iowa

In 1844, Joseph Smith, the founder and leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as the Mormon Church), was murdered in Carthage, Illinois. Smith, who had founded the church in 1830, faced growing opposition and hostility due to his religious teachings and practices, including the controversial doctrine of polygamy. Tensions escalated when Smith ordered the destruction of a local printing press that had published an exposé critical of him and his church. As a result, Smith was arrested and jailed in Carthage. On June 27, 1844, a mob stormed the jail and killed Smith and his brother Hyrum.

Following Smith's assassination, the Mormons faced increasing persecution and violence, prompting them to seek a new home where they could practice their faith in peace. Under the leadership of Brigham Young, Smith's successor, the Mormons decided to leave Iowa and embark on a perilous journey westward. This exodus eventually led them to the Salt Lake Valley in present-day Utah, where they established a thriving community and laid the foundations for what would become the state of Utah.

The World Almanac of the U.S.A, by Allan Carpenter and Carl Provorse, 1996


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