Attack on LDS Church Harkens Back to its Early History

The early history of the LDS Church is one of persecution and violence.

Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), commonly known as the Mormons, was killed by a mob in 1844 in Illinois. Fearing continued persecution, Smith’s successor, Brigham Young, led church members on an exodus to Utah, at the time a territory outside the jurisdiction of the United States, to freely practice their religion.