The history of the Latter Day Saint movement includes numerous instances of violence committed both by and against adherents. Mormons faced significant persecution in the early 19th century, including instances of forced displacement and mob violence in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois.[1][2] Notably, the founder of Mormonism, Joseph Smith, was shot and killed alongside his brother, Hyrum Smith, in Carthage, Illinois in 1844, while Smith was in jail awaiting trial on charges of treason and inciting a riot.
Mormons have also been involved in acts of violence. The Danites, a vigilante group initially sanctioned by Mormon leaders, burned and looted Davies County and engaged in clashes with the Missouri state militia during the 1838 Mormon War. Mormons settlers in the western United States participated in various conflicts, including the Walker and Black Hawk wars, which involved clashes with Native American tribes. Additionally, there were incidents such as the Mountain Meadows Massacre, the Battle Creek Massacre, and the Circleville Massacre, in which Mormons committed acts of violence against non-Mormons. These incidences of violence have negatively affected both the history and the doctrines of the Latter Day Saint movement.[3]
Persecution of the Mormons in a land of religious toleration seemed outrageous to the victims and to many observers ... recent studies ... suggest that the response of the anti-Mormons was consistent with vigilante strategies widely adopted for similar problems at the time.