Carthage, Illinois: Joseph, and his brother, Hyrum Smith, were murdered by an anti- Mormon mob who broke into a jail where they were being held.

Joseph Smith claimed that, in 1823, a Christian angel, called Moroni, spoke to him and told him of a 1500 year old Hebrew text which had been engraved on gold plates by a Native American historian in the fourth century. It was the tale of how Israelites had populated areas of America in ancient times.

Smith dictated an English translation of the text over the next six years, and published a book, in 1830, called "The Book of Mormon". The same year he founded the 'Church of Christ', later known as the 'Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints'.

The Mormon community gained enemies for their, what was seen as unorthodox practices, such as polygamy. In 1844 Smith was charged with treason, for which he was being held in prison (with his brother) at the time he was murdered.

He was succeeded as leader by Brigham Young who would lead his, some 148 believers, to Salt Lake City where they decided to settle.