Everything Everywhere Daily · Sunday, July 26, 2026
The growing Mormon population in Missouri, aiming to establish a spiritual kingdom called New Zion, faced suspicion from established residents. This tension escalated, leading to the Haun's Mill Massacre on October 30, 1838, where 17 Mormons were killed. The violence followed an order from Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs for Mormons to be driven out of the state.
“Smith claimed that New Zion would be located on what was then the western frontier in Missouri.”
“On October 30th, 1838, during a violent conflict between Mormon settlers and their opponents in Missouri, a force of roughly 200 armed men attacked the Mormon settlement at Haun's Mill, where many residents had gathered for protection.”
“The massacre occurred shortly after Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs issued an order calling for the Mormons to be driven out of the state.”