Thesis (M.S.)--B.Y.U. Dept. of History and Philosophy of Religion.

Thesis (M.A.)--B.Y.U. Dept. of Church History and Doctrine.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin, 1964. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

The Nauvoo Temple was a unique structure, one which symbolized "Mormonism" in the early period of its history. In its time, the temple stood as the chief structure of the city of Nauvoo. It rivaled all buildings in Illinois and the West during its brief history.This study reviews the entire history of the temple, from when it was first contemplated until its fateful destruction, and beyond. It sheds light on the setting in which the great edifice was built. Consideration is given to the struggles and sacrifices on the part of workmen and church members who freely gave to erect it. There is unfolded to the reader a year-by-year report on the progress of its erection, from the foundation to the top of its lofty tower. A description of both its external and internal features is provided, along with photographic illustrations and analysis of its architecture. It reveals the quest for, and the effort involved in, supplying the means and material needed. It discusses the theological concepts and practices associated with the building's erection and use, together with a consideration of the various purposes and functions which the temple served. The story is told of the temple's destruction by fire, and the eventual demolition of its walls, considering the disposition of the site down to the present time.

This thesis examines the development of the economy during the period the Mormons were in Illinois, 1839-1846. It argues that the economy developed similarly to contemporary towns and that the Mormons in Nauvoo participated in the local and regional market. However, the doctrine of the gathering produced explosive population growth, including almost 5,000 immigrants from Britain. The economy was not able to absorb the number and this contributed to the exodus of the Mormons to the west in 1846. The main sources used are surviving account books, diaries, journals from merchants and farmers. The first chapter describes the settlement of Illinois and where the Mormons fit in relation to contemporary towns. They were influenced by boosterism, paper towns, and the river economy in Illinois. The public rhetoric about communal practices caused confusion with Mormons and their neighbors. In the second chapter, using data from the account books, evidence shows that the Mormons traded with other towns and participated in the market. In the third chapter, the impact of the gathering, particularly the British immigrants, is analyzed. As the explosion of population occurred in Nauvoo, rival towns, particularly Warsaw, were threatened by the perceived economic strength. The death of prophet Joseph Smith in 1844 was the beginning of the end for the economy in Nauvoo and contributed to the decision to abandon the town and move west in 1846. The study challenges the prevailing historical interpretation of a self-sufficient economy even though there were some unique elements in Nauvoo due to the religious aspect of the gathering. Comparing commerce in Hancock County to the regional market in different stages of economic development shows how Nauvoo fit into the larger picture in western Illinois. One contribution of the study is to show the impact of the emerging market economy and that even the Mormons participated in the market.

This study describes the historical development of the Nauvoo, Illinois, public school system, 1841-1845. Many church, civic, and social organizations offered a wide variety of learning experiences to the citizens of Nauvoo. A set of questions was devised for this study to distinguish and to describe the Nauvoo school system from the multiplicity of educational offerings.

The Nauvoo Legion was a branch of the Illinois state militia, located in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois. To obey the state military service requirement, provide adequate protection for themselves, and display loyalty to the state, the inhabitants of Nauvoo organized a militia within their city. Having received necessary state approval, the citizens designated their militia the "Nauvoo Legion," which functioned from February, 1841 to January, 1845, when the Legion charter was repealed by the state legislature.Organized and staffed mainly by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Legion was considered by some opponents as a possible threat to non-Mormons. Consequently, almost from the Legion's inception, opposing forces sought to abolish it. This concern about the Legion's purpose and power was one of the reasons for the harassment and opposition to Latter-day Saints in Illinois.Regardless of its brief four-year history, however, the Legion established a very respectable record, grew to a number over 2,000 soldiers, and through their efficiency, and soldier-like appearance, gained an envied reputation.

Dissent riddled Mormonism almost from the day of its inception. Competing prophets and dissatisfied adherents challenged Joseph Smith’s leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Perhaps the most serious of Smith’s challengers was the dissent of his counselor William Law. In 1844, Law confronted Smith over the implementation of the latter’s doctrinal innovations (particularly plural marriage) and Zion building activities in Nauvoo, Illinois.At the height of the dissent movement,anti-Mormon citizens in the region (some say inflamed by Law’s newspaper the Nauvoo Expositor)assassinated Smith. The assassination caused a religious rupture in Mormonism called the Succession Crisis. This thesis examines identity formation, maintenance, and evolution inLaw’s 1844 dissenting group. It argues that several factors, notably estrangement and social networks, were key in forming the group’s identity. As other scholars acknowledge, the group intended on a Mormon reformation. It also argues that a more accurate understanding of the dissent organization is one of an extralegal internal reform body rather than (as current scholarship puts forth) an external separatist church. The reform sect maintained their distinct identity during the closing months of 1844, but evolved into the 1845 Church of Christ that Sidney Rigdon helmed.Lastly, this thesis surveys the reformers’ navigation of a turbulent religious climate and offers some analysis on why those reformers most committed to Mormonism ultimately rested in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

This thesis addresses the archaeological question of the relationship between city planning and belief systems. It examines the extent to which the city plan of Nauvoo, Illinois, was influenced by the four precepts of Zion as outlined by Joseph Smith, the first President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These precepts are considered as unity, order, economic equality, and leadership. The City of Zion plan as developed by Joseph Smith was the basis for many cities, including Nauvoo. The Zion plan is examined to determine the influences of the four precepts of Zion on city planning. Specifically, issues of city layout and organization, private property, care of the poor, economic strategies, and leadership are considered. The city of St. Louis is examined using the same criteria. Finally, a comparison of the three city plans reveals the connection between Nauvoo's city plan and its belief system.

This thesis combines two studies: the role of livestock in the temporal salvation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mormon exodus of 1846 and Cornelius P. Lott's contribution in the care of cattle and sheep during that time period. At Winter Quarters, the Church and its members depended in large measure for their survival upon the sizeable cattle herds they had acquired prior to their exodus from Nauvoo and during their trek across Iowa. Church leaders relied on men like Lott, whose expertise in the care of livestock, contributed significantly to the salvation of the Latter-day Saints. The work investigates the American agriculture and livestock industry in the first half of the nineteenth century for the context in which the Latter-day Saints acquired livestock and subsequently herded them across Iowa. During that time period, Missouri and Illinois had an abundance of good livestock, which contributed to success of the Mormon exodus. After their expulsion from the state of Missouri in 1838, the Church was left destitute of property and had to build up their livestock again. By 1846, they had amassed numerous herds, especially as they made a concerted effort to gather livestock in preparation for their exodus from Illinois. Along the Iowa trail, they continued acquiring cattle in great number by trading many of their possessions with local settlers. As Church leaders had designed, the Latter-day Saints arrived at the Missouri River with thousands of head of livestock. Their herds, particularly cattle, provided a significant lifeline for the Church in both sustenance and trade. Because the Latter-day Saints' livestock was such a precious commodity, Church leaders had to be selective in choosing men to care for the animals. Cornelius P. Lott represents that class of skilled hands who took on such assignments. He joined the Church in 1834 and became recognized by Joseph Smith in 1838 as he played a key role as a leader in the conflict against the Missouri mobs in 1838. He demonstrated his skills with livestock when the Prophet employed him as superintendent of the Smith farm in Nauvoo. Joseph Smith became well acquainted with Lott and favored him with unique privileges, including his participation in sacred temple ordinances, unavailable to most of the Church until later. Such experiences gave Lott opportunity to associate closely with Brigham Young and the Apostles. Hence, when Young sought for trusted men at the Missouri River who could care for the livestock, Lott was a natural choice. This study is valuable to Church history because it shows the importance of livestock and the men who cared for them in contributing to the success of the Mormon exodus and the temporal salvation of the Church. It is important in American history because gives insight into the role of cattle during the westward expansion era.