Mormon Journey By harrison hulbert 1830 Smith began preaching mormon ideas in 1830 1830 Smith published the book of mormon 1839 Bought the town of commerce , IL 1844 mob of local residents killed Smith 1846 Mormon migration 1847 Mormons reached Salt lake city, Utah 1848 United States acquired the Salt lake area from mexico after the Mexican war 1850 Congress established the Utah territory 1857 war almost broke out between the mormons and the US army