Mormon History

Joseph Smith

Jan 1, 1820

Founder of Mormonism from a Christian primitivism.

Start of Mormonism

Period: Jan 1, 1820 to Apr 27, 2011

In 1820 Mormonism began officially in New York state to current time frame.

Latter Day Saints Movement

Period: May 21, 1820 to Oct 12, 1825

Beginning and end of the Latter Day Saints movement starting to turn religion into Mormonism.

Begin Baptizing

Jun 30, 1829

Joseph Smith and assistants begin baptizing followers.

Church of Christ

Jan 1, 1830

Officially become known as the Church of Christ

Persecuted

Apr 23, 1830

Members folllowing Smith begin to be persecuted in New York and moved to Kirtland, Ohio with the hope of forming a permanent New Jerusalem in Jackson County, Missouri.

Non-Protestant

Period: May 12, 1830 to Jul 17, 1840

Smith gradually transformed Mormonism out of Protestant faith.

Jackson County

Nov 3, 1833

Expelled from Jackson County, Missouri.

Polygamy

Period: Apr 28, 1835 to Jun 26, 1890

Believed in Polygamy like that of the practice in Illinois. Decreased in interest and use through the end of the 19th century.

Mormon War of 1838

Period: Jan 4, 1838 to Dec 31, 1838

"Mormon Extermination Order", or the expulsion of the Latter Day Saints in Missouri. Move to Nauvoo, Illinois.

Kirtland

May 13, 1838

Forced to flee Kirtland in 1838.

Smith Killed

May 9, 1844

Smith was killed by the Illinois militia leaving a crisis for Mormons on where to go and who to follow.

Follow Bringham Young

Apr 28, 1850

Follow Bringham Young to what was then the Utah Territory.

Head of Church

Sep 12, 1890

Church president Wilford Woodruff officially anounced the end to plural marriage.

Polygamy

Apr 28, 1904

If Mormons choose to believe in polygamy they will be threatened with excommunication and handled in federal court.

Milestone

Feb 21, 1953

Church reaches 1 million members.

Name Change

Jun 11, 2001

Change name of church to Community of Christ.