Interim Content

Missouri

Summary

Area acquired by U.S. in Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and established as territory, 1812. Missouri Compromise, 1820, admitted Missouri as slave state, 1821. Population in 1830 about 140,000; in 1836 about 240,000; and in 1840 about 380,000. Latter-day Saint missionaries preached to American Indians just west of Missouri border, early 1831. JS revelation, dated 20 July 1831, designated Missouri as “land of Zion” and where “city of Zion” was to be built. Saints began immigrating to Jackson Co., summer 1831. Many Missouri immigrants came from southern states while most Saints came from northeastern states. Regional and cultural differences, as well as religious and ideological differences, caused tension and eventual violence. Saints expelled from Jackson Co. into Clay and other counties, 1833. Clay Co. citizens demanded Saints leave county, 1836. Missouri state legislature consequently created Caldwell Co. specifically for Saints. JS moved to Far West in Caldwell Co., Mar. 1838. Saints’ settlement expanded northward into Daviess Co. and eastward into Carroll Co., 1838. Conflict in these counties escalated quickly. Missouri governor Lilburn W. Boggs issued order to exterminate Saints or drive them from state, 27 Oct. 1838. JS and others taken prisoner by Missouri militia, 31 Oct. 1838, and incarcerated through winter in jail at Liberty while approximately 8,000 to 10,000 Saints evacuated eastward into Illinois. JS allowed to escape, Apr. 1839. Missouri officials continued attempts to extradite, arrest, or kidnap JS, 1841–1843.

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State/Province
Missouri
Country:
United States of America