Mormon Extermination Order facts for kids
The Missouri Executive Order 44 was a special command given by the Governor of Missouri, Lilburn Boggs. This order is also known as the Mormon Extermination Order. It was issued on October 27, 1838. This happened after a conflict called the Battle of Crooked River. This battle was a fight between a group called Mormons and the Missouri State Militia. Governor Boggs claimed that the Mormons were openly breaking the law and fighting against the people of Missouri. He ordered that "the Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State." This meant they had to be forced out of Missouri.
The state militia and other officials used this order to make the Mormons leave their homes. This led to the Mormons being forced to move to Nauvoo, Illinois. Most people in northwest Missouri supported the order. However, some people questioned it or spoke against it. No one ever decided if the order was truly legal.
Many years later, on June 25, 1976, Governor Kit Bond officially cancelled the Extermination Order. He said it was not legal and formally apologized for the suffering it caused the Mormons.
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What Was the Missouri Order?
The Missouri Executive Order 44 was an official command from the state's governor. It was issued in 1838 by Governor Lilburn Boggs. This order told people how to treat Mormons living in Missouri. It said they should be seen as enemies. The order even suggested that Mormons should be forced out of the state. This was done to keep the public peace, according to the governor.
Why Was the Order Issued?
The order came after a period of tension and fighting in Missouri. This time was known as the 1838 Mormon War. One important event was the Battle of Crooked River. This was a fight between Mormons and the state militia. Governor Boggs believed that the Mormons were causing trouble. He thought they were breaking the law and fighting against other citizens. He described their actions as "beyond all description."
The Governor's Reasons
Governor Boggs stated that the Mormons had openly defied the law. He also claimed they had made war on the people of Missouri. Because of these claims, he felt it was necessary to issue the order. The order was meant to remove the Mormons from the state. This was seen as a way to restore peace and order.
How the Order Affected Mormons
After the order was given, the state militia and other leaders acted on it. They used the order to force Mormons from their homes and lands. This happened after the Mormons gave up their fight. They were then forced to leave Missouri. Many of them moved to a new place in Nauvoo, Illinois. This move was not their choice; they were made to go.
Public Opinion and Legality
Most citizens in northwest Missouri supported the governor's order. They agreed with the idea of removing the Mormons. However, a few people did not agree. They questioned if the order was fair or legal. Despite these questions, no court ever decided if the order was truly legal or not. It remained in effect for many years.
The Order Is Cancelled
The Missouri Executive Order 44 stayed on the books for a long time. It was not until June 25, 1976, that it was officially cancelled. This happened when Governor Kit Bond issued a new executive order. Governor Bond's order recognized that the 1838 order was not legal. He also officially apologized on behalf of the State of Missouri. This apology was for all the suffering the order had caused the Mormons.
