The Missouri Extermination Order: Why Mormons Were Driven Out in 1838

A state-issued decree in 1838 that ordered the expulsion of Mormons from Missouri, leading to violence and their forced migration.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 10, 2026

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Quick take

The Missouri Extermination Order was an official state decree issued in October 1838.
It declared Mormons 'enemies' and authorized military force to drive them from the state.
The order was a culmination of escalating religious, economic, and political tensions between Mormons and other Missouri settlers.
It resulted in widespread violence, the forced displacement of thousands, and the Mormons' eventual migration to Illinois.

The Missouri Extermination Order was a formal decree issued by Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs on October 27, 1838. It declared members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) to be "enemies of the state" and mandated their expulsion from Missouri. The order authorized state militia to use force, including lethal force, to achieve this objective, effectively legalizing violence against the religious group.

Rising Tensions and the Mormon War

Mormons began settling in Missouri in the early 1830s, first in Jackson County and later in Caldwell, Daviess, and Carroll Counties. Their rapid growth, distinct religious beliefs (including the claim of new revelation and a gathering to build Zion), and communal economic practices quickly set them apart from their neighbors. Tensions escalated due to several factors: existing settlers often viewed Mormon bloc voting as a political threat, their communal land ownership as unfair economic competition, and their perceived abolitionist sympathies as a challenge to the state's slave-holding culture.

These differences led to a series of escalating conflicts, often referred to as the "Mormon War." Skirmishes, property destruction, and mob violence became common. After a significant clash at the Battle of Crooked River on October 25, 1838, where several people were killed on both sides, Governor Boggs issued his infamous order. He was heavily influenced by reports from local militia leaders who portrayed the Mormons as aggressors and threats to public peace.

The Governor's Decree and Its Aftermath

Governor Boggs's order stated that "the Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State if necessary for the public good." This decree essentially gave state sanction to mob violence and military action against the Mormons. It led directly to tragic events like the Haun's Mill Massacre on October 30, 1838, where a mob militia attacked a Mormon settlement, killing 17 men and boys and wounding many others, despite their attempts to surrender.

Following the order, thousands of Mormons, including their leader Joseph Smith, were rounded up by the state militia. Their leaders were arrested on charges of treason, and the remaining Mormon population, estimated to be between 10,000 and 15,000 people, was forcibly expelled from Missouri during the harsh winter of 1838-1839. They abandoned their homes and property and sought refuge across the Mississippi River in Illinois, where they founded the city of Nauvoo.

Key Factors Leading to the Order

Economic competition and land disputes
Political bloc voting by Mormons
Religious and cultural differences
Escalating mob violence and skirmishes

The Missouri Extermination Order is a significant and dark chapter in American history, representing a rare instance of a U.S. state officially sanctioning the expulsion of a religious group. It profoundly shaped the collective memory and identity of the Latter-day Saints, reinforcing their sense of persecution and community. For the broader United States, it serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of religious freedom and the potential for abuse of state power when intolerance and fear take hold. The order was not officially repealed by the state of Missouri until 1976, nearly 140 years after its issuance.

Was the Extermination Order ever officially repealed?

Yes, the Missouri Extermination Order was officially rescinded by Governor Christopher S. Bond on June 25, 1976, nearly 138 years after its issuance. He acknowledged the order was an "unjustifiable outrage."

How many Mormons were forced to leave Missouri?

Estimates suggest that between 10,000 and 15,000 Mormons were forcibly expelled from Missouri during the winter of 1838-1839, abandoning their homes and possessions.

Where did the Mormons go after being driven out of Missouri?

After their expulsion from Missouri, the Mormons migrated eastward across the Mississippi River to Illinois, where they established the city of Nauvoo, which quickly grew into one of the largest cities in the state.

What was the Haun's Mill Massacre?

The Haun's Mill Massacre was a brutal event on October 30, 1838, where a Missouri mob militia attacked a Mormon settlement at Haun's Mill, killing 17 men and boys and wounding 15 others, despite their attempts to surrender. This occurred just days after the Extermination Order was issued.

Were Mormons the only group to face such persecution in early American history?

While other religious groups faced discrimination and local hostility, the Missouri Extermination Order is unique in American history as an official state decree authorizing the expulsion and potential extermination of a specific religious minority.

Sources

Missouri Executive Order 44, October 27, 1838 (Governor Lilburn W. Boggs)
Alexander, Thomas G. "The Missouri Conflict, 1838." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Bushman, Richard Lyman. Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.