Missouri governor Lilburn Boggs issues the Extermination Order

In a historic event that occurred on October 27, 1838, Lilburn Boggs, who served as the 6th governor of Missouri, issued what came to be known as the Missouri Extermination Order. This executive order has been a topic of much discussion and debate over the years due to its content, which was unheard in the history of the United States. The order impelled all Mormons residing in Missouri to leave the state or face potential extermination.

Lilburn Boggs’ reign as governor from 1836 to 1840 was a period of considerable tension and conflict. The Latter-Day Saint (LDS) community, also known as Mormons, were facing increasing persecution. Being an influential politician, Boggs sought to found a resolution amid the rising hostility. His resolution came in a form later acknowledged as an executive order, the Missouri Executive Order 44, notably known as the Extermination Order.

The Extermination Order was viewed as one of the most severe and discriminatory policies enacted against religious minorities in America. This order gave authorities the power to expel or exterminate the Mormons under the guise of public interest and peacekeeping, an act that sparked controversy and added to the struggles faced by the Mormon community in the 19th century.

The conflict between Missourians and Mormons had been escalating due to a confluence of socioeconomic and religious factors. The Mormons, under the leadership of Joseph Smith, had established several prosperous communities in Missouri, leading to a sense of hostility and fear among non-Mormon locals. This animosity was further fueled by the Mormons’ belief in gathering, which prompted them to conduct a mass migration to an area in Missouri they believed was their promised land, known as “Zion.”

As the Mormon migration to Missouri increased, so did the conflict. The Mormons’ strange customs, perceived abolitionist leanings, and rapid community growth led some residents to view them as a threat, thereby intensifying the discord between the two groups. Against such backdrop, Governor Boggs issued the Extermination Order.

The issuance of the Extermination Order caused a major demographic upheaval in Missouri. Following the order, Mormons were forcibly driven from their homes, losing their properties in the process. The ordeal involved significant hardships and human rights violations. Many faced violence, and it was a particularly brutal winter that led to increased suffering for the exiled Mormons. Most of them fled to Illinois, where they established the city of Nauvoo under the leadership of their leader, Joseph Smith.

Yet, the repercussions of the Extermination Order were long lasting. For many years, the order remained in effect, legally justifying discrimination and violence against Mormons. It was not until 1976, under Governor Christopher Bond, that the Extermination Order was formally rescinded, acknowledging the historical wrong and expressing regret for the actions of the past.

The issuing of the Extermination Order on October 27, 1838, was a notable point in American history. It shines light on the plight of religious minorities, showcasing the trials faced by people holding beliefs contrary to popular opinion. Today, the order serves as a reminder of the significance of religious tolerance, individual rights, and the consequences when such principles are dismissed or compromised.

Looking at the broader historical context, the Extermination Order represents a period of time when intolerance and discrimination were legally sanctioned – a reminder of the disappointments of our past, and an object lesson for our future. The story of Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs’ Extermination Order and its impact on the Mormons is a remarkable narrative about human rights, tolerance, and state power in American history.