Anti-Mormon Sentiment in 19th-Century America: Religious Intolerance Beyond the Saints

How fear, religious differences, and political power struggles fueled widespread hostility against early Latter-day Saints across the young United States.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jul 18, 2026

Branched from Understanding the Persecution Faced by Early Latter-day Saints

Quick take

Early Latter-day Saints faced intense prejudice and violence throughout the 19th century in America.
This hostility stemmed from unique religious beliefs, distinct economic practices, and perceived political threats.
Manifestations included mob violence, legal persecution, and forced displacements from Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois.
The enduring sentiment profoundly shaped the Saints' westward migration and the development of their community.

Anti-Mormon sentiment in 19th-century America refers to the widespread hostility, prejudice, and often violent persecution directed at members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called Mormons) during the early decades of their establishment. This intense intolerance was a significant and often brutal chapter in American religious history, driving the Latter-day Saints to repeatedly relocate in search of peace and religious freedom.

Roots of the Hostility

The reasons behind this pervasive animosity were complex, intertwining religious, economic, and political anxieties of the era. Mainstream Protestant America often viewed the Saints' unique theological claims—such as a modern prophet, new scripture (The Book of Mormon), and a restored church—as heretical and a direct challenge to established Christian traditions. This religious distinctiveness fostered suspicion and fear.

Economically, the Latter-day Saints often practiced communal living and cooperative ventures, settling together in concentrated communities. This perceived clannishness and their tendency to be economically self-sufficient could be seen as a threat by non-Mormon neighbors, who feared competition or a loss of local control. Politically, the Saints' practice of bloc voting and forming cohesive communities that could dominate local elections was seen as a challenge to democratic norms and state authority, particularly in Missouri and Illinois. Later, the practice of plural marriage (polygamy), publicly announced in 1852, became a major flashpoint, fueling moral outrage and providing a powerful justification for legal and social persecution.

Manifestations of Intolerance

The anti-Mormon sentiment manifested in various severe forms across the young United States. Mob violence was tragically common, leading to forced expulsions from Kirtland, Ohio, and later from Missouri, where Governor Lilburn Boggs issued the infamous “Extermination Order” in 1838, effectively legalizing violence against the Saints. This period saw atrocities like the Haun's Mill Massacre. In Illinois, the escalating tensions culminated in the assassination of Church founder Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith by a mob in Carthage Jail in 1844.

Beyond physical violence, the Saints faced relentless legal and political persecution. They were often denied basic property rights, faced trumped-up charges, and struggled to find justice in courts dominated by their antagonists. Propaganda played a significant role, with widespread negative press, pamphlets, and sermons portraying Mormons as deluded, immoral, and a threat to American values and institutions. This constant pressure and lack of protection from state and federal authorities ultimately propelled the Saints to undertake their epic westward migration to the remote Great Basin, seeking a refuge beyond the reach of their persecutors.

Why This Chapter Matters

The anti-Mormon sentiment of the 19th century is a critical lens through which to understand the complex history of religious freedom and intolerance in America. It profoundly shaped the trajectory of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, leading directly to their pioneering trek to Utah and the establishment of a unique, self-reliant community. This period highlights the fragility of religious liberty in practice and demonstrates how a combination of religious differences, economic anxieties, and political power struggles can ignite widespread social conflict, even within a nation founded on principles of freedom and pluralism. It serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by minority groups in asserting their rights and identity.

Was polygamy the primary cause of anti-Mormon sentiment?

No, not initially. Early persecution in Ohio and Missouri (1830s) predated the public announcement and widespread practice of polygamy by many years. While polygamy later became a major justification for hostility and federal intervention, early conflicts stemmed from other religious, economic, and political differences, as well as the Saints' tendency to vote as a block.

Did the U.S. government support this persecution?

The U.S. federal government's involvement was complex. While it often struggled to protect the Saints in the early years and sometimes sent troops to mediate, state governments (like Missouri's) actively participated in or condoned the persecution. Later in the century, the federal government actively legislated against Mormon practices, particularly polygamy, through laws like the Edmunds Act, leading to arrests and disincorporation of the Church.

How did the Saints respond to this persecution?

The Saints initially sought legal redress and protection from state and federal authorities. When these efforts failed, they resorted to self-defense and ultimately undertook a series of massive westward migrations, culminating in their settlement of the Great Basin (present-day Utah) where they hoped to establish a safe haven far from their persecutors.

Did anti-Mormon sentiment disappear after the 19th century?

While the extreme mob violence and state-sanctioned persecution largely ended after the Saints settled in Utah and officially abandoned polygamy, stereotypes and prejudice persisted in various forms well into the 20th century. However, the intensity and widespread nature of the hostility significantly diminished from its 19th-century peak.