16: The Missouri Extermination Order
Description
Learn about the events that led up to the infamous Extermination Order by Governor Boggs of Missouri in 1838. It reads in part, "the Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State if necessary for the public peace—their outrages are beyond all description".
What made Governor Boggs, and indeed many Missourians, believe they were justified in expulsing fellow American citizens from an entire state and depriving them of their property and other rights, even their lives in some cases, without any compensation or justice?
What good-faith efforts were made to learn the truth of what the Mormons had done or were planning on doing, prior to issuing the order? (None I know of.) Were these citizens or their descendants ever compensated for their losses? (No.) What punishment did the perpetrators of violence suffer? (None.) What did the United States government do when these grievances were brought before them? (Nothing.) When was the Extermination Order rescinded? (1976.)
Alright, well it's hard not to be mad about it, and unfortunately it hangs over the state of Missouri and the United States still.
But despite the somber and tragic nature of the topic, we can learn many things from the episode. Hope you learn some! Thanks for being here again!
Susan Easton Black at Deseret Book
United States
