The Danites: Early Mormon Armed Resistance in 1830s Missouri
Explore the controversial history of the Danites, a secret group formed during the Mormon War in Missouri, and their role in armed conflict and self-defense.
- The Danites were a secret, oath-bound group of early Mormons formed in Missouri during the late 1830s.
- Their primary goal was to defend Mormon settlements and enforce internal loyalty through vigilante actions.
- Their activities, including armed resistance, contributed significantly to the escalating conflict known as the 1838 Mormon War.
- The group disbanded after Mormons were expelled from Missouri, leaving a complex and controversial legacy in Latter-day Saint history.
The Danites were a secret, oath-bound organization formed by some early Latter-day Saints in Caldwell County, Missouri, during the escalating conflicts of the late 1830s. Their stated purpose was to protect Mormon communities and property, enforce loyalty within the group, and engage in armed resistance against perceived enemies, contributing to what became known as the 1838 Mormon War.
How They Operated: Formation and Vigilantism
The Danites emerged in the context of intense religious persecution and land disputes that plagued early Mormon settlements in Missouri. As tensions with non-Mormon neighbors grew violent, some Latter-day Saints felt the need for a more organized and aggressive form of self-defense and internal policing. Led by figures like Sampson Avard, and with significant influence from prominent church leaders such as Sidney Rigdon, the Danites took an oath to defend the church and its leaders, even through violent means if necessary. Their actions included intimidating dissenters, confiscating property from those deemed disloyal, and engaging in armed skirmishes against Missouri militias and settlers who they believed threatened their communities.
Escalation to the Mormon War
The activities of the Danites were intertwined with a series of events that pushed Missouri to the brink of open warfare. Sidney Rigdon's fiery "Salt Sermon" in July 1838, which declared that dissenters and enemies of the church would be "trodden under foot," is often seen as a public declaration of the aggressive stance that many Danites embodied. This rhetoric, combined with Danite actions like the Battle of Crooked River and the destruction of non-Mormon property, further inflamed anti-Mormon sentiment across Missouri. These events culminated in Governor Lilburn Boggs' infamous "Extermination Order" in October 1838, which declared Mormons to be enemies of the state and called for their expulsion or extermination, leading to the full-scale conflict of the Mormon War.
The story of the Danites is a critical, albeit often uncomfortable, chapter in early Latter-day Saint history. It highlights the extreme pressures and persecution faced by the nascent church, prompting some members to resort to desperate measures for survival and self-preservation. Understanding the Danites helps explain the rapid escalation of violence in Missouri, the subsequent expulsion of thousands of Mormons from the state, and the enduring challenges of religious freedom and community defense. The group's actions remain a subject of historical debate regarding the extent of official church leadership involvement and the moral implications of their vigilante tactics.
- The exact extent of Joseph Smith's direct involvement with or knowledge of the Danites remains a topic of scholarly discussion and debate. While some historians argue he sanctioned or was aware of their activities, others suggest their formation and actions were more independent, or that Smith later disavowed aspects of their methods.
Sources
- Alexander, Thomas G. "The Danite Band." Journal of Mormon History 11 (1984): 43-56.
- Bushman, Richard Lyman. Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.
- LeSueur, Stephen C. The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri. University of Missouri Press, 1987.
