The Missouri Persecutions

The Missouri Persecutions documents the conflicts between Mormon settlers and other Missouri residents during the 1830s. B. H. Roberts presents the historical events through primary sources, including court records, personal journals, and newspaper accounts. The book covers the period from 1831 to 1839, tracking the Mormon migration into Missouri and the series of confrontations that followed. Roberts examines the legal, social, and political factors that contributed to the tensions between the religious group and their neighbors. Roberts details the actions taken by both Mormon settlers and Missouri citizens, along with the responses of local and state government officials. The narrative follows the sequence of events through multiple Missouri counties, including Jackson, Clay, and Caldwell. This historical account raises questions about religious freedom, frontier justice, and the limits of constitutional protections in early American society. The text serves as both a record of specific regional conflict and a broader examination of persecution dynamics in 19th century America.

Readers describe this book as a thoroughly researched but biased account of the Mormon persecution in Missouri. The historical detail and use of primary sources receive consistent praise from Mormon and non-Mormon readers alike. Readers appreciated: - Documentation of specific events and locations - Inclusion of original letters and testimonies - Clear chronological organization - Detailed maps and illustrations Common criticisms: - One-sided perspective favoring Mormon viewpoint - Lack of context about non-Mormon settlers' concerns - Dramatic writing style that can feel sensational - Limited coverage of certain key events Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (27 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (12 ratings) One reader noted: "Roberts provides valuable primary sources but his bias shows through in every chapter." Another commented: "Despite its limitations, this remains the most complete record of these events from the Mormon perspective."

Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days by Ronald K. Esplin, Matthew J. Grow, and Lisa Olsen Tait This narrative history covers the same period of Mormon persecution in Missouri while expanding to include the broader context of the early Latter-day Saint movement's conflicts and migrations.

Violence in the Valley: Religious Conflict in Western New York by D. Michael Quinn This book examines the religious tensions and persecution faced by various faiths in 19th century New York, including the early Mormon movement.

American Massacre: The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows by Sally Denton The book details the complex religious and social tensions between Mormons and non-Mormons in the American West during the 1850s.

The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri by Stephen C. LeSueur This historical account focuses on the specific conflicts between Mormons and Missouri residents that led to their expulsion from the state.

Exiles in a Land of Liberty: Mormons in America by Kenneth H. Winn The text explores the broader social and political contexts of Mormon persecution in nineteenth-century America, including the Missouri period.

🔖 B. H. Roberts wrote this groundbreaking 1900 historical account while serving as one of the Seven Presidents of the Seventy in the LDS Church, making it one of the first comprehensive studies of the Mormon persecution in Missouri. 📚 The author conducted extensive research using original documents, journals, and testimonies that had never before been compiled, including personal accounts from both Mormon settlers and their opponents. ⚔️ The book details the 1838 Mormon War in Missouri, which resulted in Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs issuing the infamous "Extermination Order" (Executive Order 44), legally permitting the killing of Mormons in the state. 🏛️ Many of the original documents Roberts used in his research were later lost or destroyed, making this book a crucial historical record and primary source for modern historians studying this period. 🗓️ The persecution events chronicled in the book led to approximately 10,000 Latter-day Saints being forcibly expelled from Missouri during the winter of 1838-1839, eventually leading to their settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois.