So, How Many Latter-day Saints Were Chillin' in Illinois Back in the Day?
Ah, Illinois. Land of cornfields, Abraham Lincoln, and...a surprising number of Latter-day Saints? Buckle up, because we're about to dive into the fascinating history of Mormons in the Prairie State.
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| How Many Latter Day Saints Were Living In Illinois At This Time |
From Swamps to Boomtown: The Rise of Nauvoo
Imagine this: it's the 1830s, and you're a Latter-day Saint facing some serious persecution (think angry mobs with pitchforks). You hightail it out of Missouri and land in Illinois, which, at the time, was basically a giant swamp. Not exactly a five-star resort. But here's the thing about Latter-day Saints: they're a resourceful bunch. They drained those swamps, built a thriving city called Nauvoo (which means "beautiful place," by the way, not "swamp city"), and for a while, it was booming! We're talking a city that rivaled Chicago in size.
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Fun Fact: Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter-day Saint movement, even got himself elected mayor of Nauvoo. Seems the guy had a knack for building communities.
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Not Meant to Be: The Exodus and Beyond
Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse. Tensions rose, and in 1844, Joseph Smith was tragically murdered. Facing renewed persecution, the Latter-day Saints were forced to pack their bags once again and head west, leading to one of the largest forced migrations in American history – the Mormon Trail.
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But the story doesn't end there! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints re-established a presence in Illinois in the late 1800s, and today, there's a healthy community of Latter-day Saints living throughout the state.
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So, how many are we talking about? As of 2022, there are over 57,000 Latter-day Saints living in Illinois, spread across 12 stakes (think church districts). That's a pretty impressive number, considering the whole "swamp city" thing.
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FAQ: You've Got Questions, We've Got (Hopefully) Quick Answers
How to become a Latter-day Saint in Illinois?
The best way is to contact your local Latter-day Saint congregation. They'll be happy to answer your questions and introduce you to the community.How to visit Nauvoo? Nauvoo is a historic gem! There's a restored temple, historical sites, and even an annual pageant called "City of Joseph." Check out the official website for visitor information: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/historic-nauvoo-visitors-center?lang=eng
How to find out more about the Mormon Trail? There are tons of resources available online and in libraries. The Church History Museum in Salt Lake City, Utah, is also a great place to learn more.
How to avoid accidentally building a city on a giant swamp? Perhaps consult a map and some engineers first? Just a suggestion.
How to make friends with Latter-day Saints in Illinois? Be friendly, say hi, and maybe bring some cookies. Everyone loves cookies.
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