Mormonism and violence

The history of the Latter Day Saint movement includes numerous instances of violence by and against adherents. Founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith, early Mormons faced significant persecution, including mob attacks, forced relocations, and the assassination of Smith and his brother in 1844. These conflicts often stemmed from religious tensions, political disputes, and fears about the growing influence of Mormon settlements.

Early Mormons organized militias and occasionally engaged in violent confrontations. The Danites, a vigilante group briefly sanctioned by Mormon leaders, conducted armed raids in Missouri during the 1838 Mormon War. In the western United States, Mormon settlers were involved in prolonged conflicts with Native American tribes, including the Walker War and the Black Hawk War—where episodes such as the Battle Creek Massacre and the Circleville Massacre occurred. Most controversially, the Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857, in which a Mormon militia and allied Paiute Indians killed over 100 emigrants from the Baker–Fancher wagon train, occurred during heightened tensions surrounding the Utah War.

Doctrinal teachings related to justice and punishment, such as the concept of "blood atonement" and the "oath of vengeance", have been object of controversy. Although these ideas have been rejected by mainstream Mormonism, they have persisted among certain Mormon fundamentalist groups. In modern times, some of these groups have been linked to incidents of violence and extremist rhetoric.