Part of a series on the

Latter Day Saint Movement

Latter Day Saint movement

Denominations Mormonism · Latter Day Saint Mormonism and Christianity The original Nauvoo Temple of the Latter Day Saint movement built in Nauvoo, Illinois. ... The Latter Day Saint movement is a religious movement which began in the early 19th century and is generally considered to be founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Mormonism is a term used to describe religious, ideological, and cultural aspects of the various Latter Day Saint churches. ... A Latter Day Saint is an adherent of the Latter Day Saint movement, a group of religions tracing their heritage to the teachings of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Mormonism and historic Christianity have had an uneasy relationship with each other since shortly after Joseph Smith, Jr. ...

Movement history

Church of Christ · Succession crisis LDS Church history Community of Christ history

Latter Day Saint texts

Book of Mormon · Book of Commandments Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible Doctrine & Covenants · Book of Abraham Pearl of Great Price

Significant leaders

Joseph Smith, Jr. · Oliver Cowdery Sidney Rigdon · Brigham Young Joseph Smith III · James Strang

Unique beliefs

Views on Godhead · Views on Jesus Priesthood · Articles of Faith · Restoration Mormonism and Judaism · Temples

The Nauvoo Legion was a private militia employed by Joseph Smith, Jr. and Brigham Young during the Latter Day Saint movement until 1870, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the LDS Church; see also "Mormon"). The Legion was named for the city of its inception, Nauvoo, Illinois, although it only operated there for six years. The Latter Day Saint movement is a religious movement within Christian Restorationism beginning in the early 19th century that led to the set of doctrines, practices, and cultures called Mormonism and to the existence of numerous Latter Day Saint churches. ... The Church of Christ was the original name given to the church formally organized by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... The Succession Crisis in the Latter Day Saint movement occurred after the violent death of the movements founder, Joseph Smith, Jr. ... The early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is shared by the larger Latter Day Saint movement, which originated in upstate New York under the leadership of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... The history of the Community of Christ covers a period of approximately 200 years. ... The Book of Mormon (originally, The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi) is one of the sacred texts of the Restoration movement, named after the prophet/historian Mormon, who according to the text compiled most of the... The Book of Commandments is among the most rare and valuable books in American history because the original printing was almost entirely destroyed by a mob. ... The Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, also called the Inspired Version of the Bible or the JST, is a version of the Bible dictated by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Doctrine and Covenants The Doctrine and Covenants (sometimes referred to as the D&C) is a part of the open scriptural canon of Mormonism. ... The Book of Abraham is a text published by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... For other uses of Pearl of Great Price, see the Pearl of Great Price page. ... Joseph Smith, Jr. ... Photograph of Oliver Cowdery, taken c. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... For other uses, see Brigham Young University Brigham Young (June 1, 1801 – August 29, 1877) was the second prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... Joseph Smith III — Leader of the 1860 Reorganization of the Latter Day Saint church. ... 1856 daguerreotype of James Strang, taken on Beaver Island, Lake Michigan, by J. Atkyn, one of his assassins. ... Mormonism, depending on era and denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement, has accomodated a diverse range of views of the the concept of the Christian Godhead including forms of modalism, binitarianism, tritheism, henotheism, and trinitarianism. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, priesthood is considered to be the power and authority to act in the name of God, including the performance of sacred rites and ordinances, and the performance of miracles. ... In Mormonism, the Articles of Faith are a creed composed by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... In the Latter Day Saint movement, the Restoration was a period in its early history during which a number of events occurred that were understood to be necessary to restore the early Christian church as demonstrated in the New Testament, and to prepare the earth for the Second Coming of... Latter-day Saints (commonly known as Mormons) believe themselves to be either direct descendants of the Israelites, or adopted into the House of Israel. ... The Salt Lake Temple, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the best-known Mormon temple. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... Joseph Smith, Jr. ... For other uses, see Brigham Young University Brigham Young (June 1, 1801 – August 29, 1877) was the second prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... The Latter Day Saint movement is a religious movement which began in the early 19th century and is generally considered to be founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. ... 1870 (MDCCCLXX) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... This is the current Mormon collaboration of the month! Please help improve it to meet the Featured Article standard. ... The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the most-recognized architectural symbol of Mormonism For other uses, see Mormon (disambiguation). ... Nauvoo (נָאווּ to be beautiful, Sephardi Hebrew Nåvu, Tiberian Hebrew Nâwû) is a city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. ...

Formation

In 1839, Joseph Smith relocated his followers—the Mormons—from a hostile environment in Missouri to Commerce, Illinois which he renamed Nauvoo. Voter-conscious Illinois Democrats and Whigs (including Abraham Lincoln) passed a bipartisan city-state charter for Nauvoo in 1840. On December 16 the governor signed it into law, granting Smith and the city of Nauvoo broad powers. Among these was the authority to create a "body of independent militarymen." This force was a militia, not a police force, and it became known as the "Nauvoo Legion". By 1842, the militia had 2,000 troops, and at least 3,000 by 1844, including some non-Mormons. In comparison, the U.S. Army had only 8,500 men in this period. 1839 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Official language(s) English Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (149,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... Nauvoo (נָאווּ to be beautiful, Sephardi Hebrew NÃ¥vu, Tiberian Hebrew Nâwû) is a city in Hancock County, Illinois, United States. ... Official language(s) English Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (149,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... The Democratic Party is one of two major political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. ... The United States Whig Party was a political party of the United States. ... Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865), sometimes called Abe Lincoln and nicknamed Honest Abe, the Rail Splitter, and the Great Emancipator, was an American politician who served as the 16th President of the United States (1861 to 1865), and the first president from the Republican Party. ... 1840 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1842 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1844 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ...

There was extensive overlap between officers in the Nauvoo Legion and a previous secretive group of Mormon vigilantes called the "Danites". Organized by Doctor Sampson Avard in 1838, the Danites were a group known for violence and subscription to a doctrine called "blood atonement." Avard was excommunicated from the Church for organizing the Danites and officers of the Church publicly disavowed any sponsorship. Exercising their influence, leaders disbanded the organization soon after its founding. However, former Danites in the Nauvoo Legion fueled the misperception by some that the militia was also a vigilante group. To the contrary, records indicate that officers of the Legion strove for an aura of legitimacy. The Danites were a Latter Day Saint vigilante group organized in the late 1830s. ... | Jöns Jakob Berzelius, discoverer of protein 1838 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... In Mormonism, blood atonement is a controversial doctrine taught by some early Latter-day Saint leaders, and expanded by Brigham Young, that within a theocracy, there are certain sins such as murder which require that murderers have their blood spilt upon the ground, that the smoke thereof might ascend to...

The Nauvoo Legion

Joseph Smith marshalling the Nauvoo Legion

Although the charter authorizing the Nauvoo Legion created an independent militia, it could be used at the disposal of the state governor or the President of the United States as well as for the mayor of Nauvoo. Joseph Smith himself was Nauvoo's second mayor, and the Nauvoo court martial also appointed him as highest ranking officer of the Legion, a Lieutenant General. This rank is one step above Major General which most contemporary militias employed as their commanding rank. One motive for the higher rank was to prevent Smith from being tried in a court martial by officers of lesser rank. In 1837 the Missouri militia had contemplated an illegal court martial against Smith, only a civilian at that time. Painting of artists perception of the Nauvoo Legion. ... Painting of artists perception of the Nauvoo Legion. ... Depiction of Joseph Smith at head of the Nauvoo Legion. ... Depiction of Joseph Smith at head of the Nauvoo Legion. ... Are you kidding?, this is solid truth here, nothing escapes the eyes of Gov!!!, not even. ... The presidential seal was used by President Hayes in 1880 and last modified in 1969 by adding the 50th star for Hawaii. ... now. ... A court-martial (plural courts-martial) is a military court that determines punishments for members of the military subject to military law. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ...

In the last month of his life, June 1844, Smith declared martial law in Nauvoo and deployed the Legion to defend the city. 1844 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Martial law is the system of rules that takes effect (usually after a formal declaration) when a military authority takes control of the normal administration of justice. ...

After the Death of Joseph Smith

The Legion survived the loss of its founder and Brigham Young became the ranking officer of the militia in August, 1844. The Legion insufficiently protected the Mormons from increased mob violence, so Young directed most of his followers out of the city while a crew remained to complete the Nauvoo Temple. Upon revocation of the Nauvoo Charter in the winter of 1844-1845, the Legion became an extra-legal militia which it would remain for much of its existence. Illinois was abandoned by the Mormons entirely by September 17, 1846 after a week of artillery shelling called the "Battle of Nauvoo". For other uses, see Brigham Young University Brigham Young (June 1, 1801 – August 29, 1877) was the second prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... 1844 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... See also: Nauvoo Illinois Temple for an overview of a similar or rebuilt structure currently standing on the same site. ... 1844 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1845 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... September 17 is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years). ... 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

The Nauvoo Legion survived the abandonment of its namesake. The Legion was re-organized in Iowa by Hosea Stout on September 22, 1846. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Photograph of Hosea Stout, taken in the 1850s. ... September 22 is the 265th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (266th in leap years). ... 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

In Utah

Some legionnaires served in the 500-man Mormon Battalion for the U.S. government in 1846 as part of its campaign against Mexico. However, the Nauvoo Legion itself resurfaced to prominence soon after Brigham Young led the first band of Mormons to Utah, then called Deseret, in 1847. Under territorial law, the Nauvoo Legion became the territorial militia in 1852 although it curiously retained its name. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... For other uses, see Brigham Young University Brigham Young (June 1, 1801 – August 29, 1877) was the second prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The boundaries of the provisional State of Deseret (orange) as proposed in 1849. ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1852 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

1849 conflicts with Native Americans in Utah County foreshadowed the 1853-1854 Walker War between the Nauvoo Legion and Indians led by Chief Wakara ("Walker"). Twenty service men and many more Native Americans died in the Walker War. 1849 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... An Aani (Atsina) named Assiniboin Boy. ... Utah County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1854 (MDCCCLIV) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Chief Wakara (also Walkara or Walker) (ca. ... Chief Wakara (also Walkara or Walker) (ca. ...

The Legion was used again in the so-called "Utah War" against Federal troops entering Utah in the "Utah Expedition" from 1857-1858. After this conflict, the Federal government appointed Utah's territorial governor, and the Nauvoo Legion was allowed to exist supposedly at the command of the governor. However, it was widely known the Legion was more responsive to Latter-day Saint leaders than appointed government officials. Combatants United States Mormon settlers Commanders Albert Sidney Johnston Brigham Young John D. Lee Lot Smith Strength Unknown Unknown Casualties Unknown Unknown The Utah War was a 19th century armed conflict between Mormon settlers in Utah Territory and the United States federal government. ... 1857 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1858 (MDCCCLVIII) is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The Utah Territory was an organized territory of the United States that existed between 1850 and 1896. ...

Former Nauvoo Legion officers and militiamen also took part in the Mountain Meadows Massacre of 120 Arkansas immigrants traveling through Southern Utah. The Mountain Meadows massacre occurred on Friday, September 11, 1857 in Mountain Meadows, Utah, several miles south of Enterprise in Washington County along the portion of the Old Spanish Trail that became the overland wagon road to California. ... Official language(s) English Capital Little Rock Largest city Little Rock Area  Ranked 29th  - Total 53,179 sq mi (137,732 km²)  - Width 239 miles (385 km)  - Length 261 miles (420 km)  - % water 2. ...

During the Civil War, two units of the reorganized Nauvoo Legion were gainfully employed by the United States to protect western mail and telegraph lines from attack. Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert Edward Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... A British pillar box. ... Telegraphy (from the Greek words tele = far away and grapho = write) is the long distance transmission of written messages without physical transport of letters, originally over wire. ...

The final use of the Legion was in Utah's Black Hawk War 1865-1868 when over 2,500 troops were dispatched against Indians led by Antonga Black Hawk. (Antonga Black Hawk was a Ute and has no connection to the Illinois Sauk chief Black Hawk of the 1830s.) In 1870 the Utah Territorial governor, J. Wilson Shaffer forced the Legion inactive unless he ordered otherwise. Federal troops dispatched in response to the 1870 Ghost Dance ensured Shaffer's order was enforced. The Nauvoo Legion never gathered again, and the 1887 Edmunds-Tucker Act permanently disbanded it. In 1894, in anticipation of statehood, the Utah National Guard was organized as Utah's official state militia. Antonga Black Hawk was a Ute Indian born in Spring Lake, Utah around 1830. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... 1868 (MDCCCLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... Antonga Black Hawk was a Ute Indian born in Spring Lake, Utah around 1830. ... The Utes (/juːts/; yoots) are an ethnically related group of American Indians now living primarily in Utah and Colorado. ... Official language(s) English Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (149,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... For the abbreviation or acronym SAC, please see SAC. The Sauks or Sacs (Asakiwaki in their own language) are a group of Native Americans whose original territory may have been along the St. ... Black Hawk Black Hawk (Makataimeshekiakiak) (1767–October 3, 1838) was a leader and warrior of the Sauk Native American tribe in what is now the United States. ... Events and Trends Electromagnetic induction discovered by Michael Faraday Dutch-speaking farmers known as Voortrekkers emigrate northwards from the Cape Colony Croquet invented in Ireland Railroad construction begins in earnest in the United States Egba refugees fleeing the Yoruba civil wars found the city of Abeokuta in south-west Nigeria... 1870 (MDCCCLXX) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... 1887 (MDCCCLXXXVII) is a common year starting on Saturday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. ... The Edmunds-Tucker Act of 1887 touched all the issues at dispute between Congress and the Mormons. ... 1894 (MDCCCXCIV) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Seal of the National Guard Bureau Seal of the Army National Guard Seal of the Air National Guard Seal of the National Guard Missile Defense The United States National Guard is a component of the United States Army (the Army National Guard) and the United States Air Force (the Air...

External links

• Utah History Encyclopedia: The Utah National Guard and Territorial Militias
• LDS.org, Images of Old Nauvoo: Mormon Legion
• Light Planet: Nauvoo Legion – from the Encyclopedia of Mormonism

First of four volumes of the Encyclopedia of Mormonism. ...

Reference

• Allen, James B. and Leonard, Glen M. The Story of the Latter-day Saints. Deseret Book Co., Salt Lake City, UT, 1976. ISBN 0-87747-594-6.