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Joseph Smith starts preaching Mormon
In 1830, Joseph Smith began preaching Mormon ideas. -
Moving to Illinois
This religion began to anger others so Joseph Smith lead the Mormons had to move a couple times. In 1839 they bought the town of Commerce, Illinois, and renamed it Nauvoo. -
Joseph Smith death
In 1844, a mob of local residents killed Joseph Smith. After Smith's death, Brigham Young took over as head of the Mormons. -
Mormon Migration
The Mormon migration began in 1846. About 12,000 Mormons made the trek in the largest single migration in American history. The Mormons route became known as the Mormon Trail. -
Arriving in Utah
In 1847, the Mormons finally reached the Great Salt Lake. There, Young declared that the Mormons would build a new settlement. -
United States acquiring Utah
In 1848 the United States acquired the Salt Lake area from Mexico after the Mexican War. In 1850 Congress established the Utah territory. Brigham Young was named governor. -
Conflict between Mormons and United States
In 1857 and 1858, war almost broke out between the Mormons and the United States Army. -
Problems with Utah
By 1860 there were many Mormon communities, but Utah was not easily incorporated into the United States. Problems included the Mormon practice of polygamy and frequent conflicts with federal officials. -
Utah becoming a state
Utah did not become a state until 1896. This was after the Mormons officially gave up the practice of polygamy.
