Curated OER
Antebellum Revivalism and Reform
A gold mine for American history teachers, this presentation cascades through the middle of the 19th century with the central themes of moral and social reform. Between the blossoming Mormon church, the tightening of the Temperance...
Curated OER
Chapter 12: American History
Short and to the point, these slides cover some basic points about life in 19th centrury America. Topics such as Texas Independence, the California Gold Rush, and the Oregon Territory are briefly mentioned, and some of the facts are hard...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: John Mayfield, Triumph of Nationalism: America, 1815 1850
An essay in which historian John Mayfield claims Americans' evangelical passion is the "religious equivalent of nationalism."
PBS
Pbs: Interview With Jon Butler on the Mormon Religion and History
A very good interview with a historian on the origins of the Mormon Church, its early history in America and comments about the issue of dissent with the Church.
PBS
Pbs: New Perspectives on the West
This in-depth resource presents a history of the American West from pre-Columbian times until World War I with profiles, documents, and images. It encourages visitors to link these into patterns of historical meaning for themselves....
PBS
Pbs the West: Joseph Smith (1805 1844)
This is an excellent biography of the life of Joseph Smith. It is a great place to start research on the man who founded the Mormon religion.
Other
Joseph Smith Biography
An in-depth biography on the life of Joseph Smith beginning at his upbringing as a child up until his death at the hands of an angry mob.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Utah History Encyclopedia: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
This resource provides information on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the Utah History Encyclopedia. Includes discussion of the Church's organization, teachings, practices, and history.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Utah History Encyclopedia: Polygamy
Discussion of the history of polygamy in the Mormon church from the Utah History Encyclopedia.
Other
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The official web site of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Documents Relating to the Mormon Migration
Primary documents related to the promotion of and resistance to the expansion of Mormonism.
Digital History
Digital History: The Mormons
A short history of the Mormon Church and its founder, Joseph Smith. Read about the Mormon settlements in the Midwest, and Joseph Smith's demise.
PBS
Pbs: Faq Sheet on the Mormon Faith
A series of questions with answers on the Mormon religion such as what are the major beliefs, rituals associated with Mormonism and what it is like to be a Mormon.
PBS
Pbs: An American Born Religion
A series of short descriptions of the early Mormon church and the role of Joseph Smith by well-known historians and scholars.
Other
Writings of Joseph Smith
A short overview of the book "Doctrine and Covenants" written by Joseph Smith. This resource also provides a short introduction to the "Pearl of Great Price" and "The Book of Mormon".
Other
Joseph Smith's 1832 Account of His First Vision
This site contains Joseph Smith's account of his First Vision that he experienced in 1832. The transcript has been divided into shorter paragraphs for easier reading.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Utah History Encyclopedia: Joseph Smith, Jr.
Biography of the Mormon leader Joseph Smith.
Other
The Original Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
This website is is the homepage for "The Original" Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Read a brief history of this church and learn about leaders and locations associated with it.
Other
Pioneer Story: The Mormon Pioneer Trail
This site has everything you need to know about the Mormon Pioneer Trail. Read about the stops along the 1,300-mile trail from Nauvoo, Illinois, to the Great Salt Lake Valley and get personal accounts of what happened to the Mormons on...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
Beginning in Illinois in 1846 Brigham Young led a large group of Mormoms to Salt Lake City to avoid persecution. The trail they followed is now known as the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. National Park Services provides the...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Religious Revival
The Second Great Awakening was transformative in ways beyond religion. Read about the new ideas about religion and see how they emphasized individual dignity and worth. This then reflected on the early ideas of women's suffrage, and the...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Joseph Smith
Encyclopedia Britannica presents a biography on Joseph Smith, American prophet whose writings, along with the Bible, provide the theological foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other Mormon denominations.
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: Carthage (Joseph Smith Murder) Trial (1845)
One of the most consequential crimes in American history occurred on a summer day in 1844 when a mob stormed a jail in Carthage, Illinois and murdered Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum. The killing of Joseph Smith, the charismatic...
Other
Joseph Smith's History Vault: Mormons in Illinois
From the 1850 and 1852 series of articles in the magazine, "American Whig Review," you can read about Mormonism and the Mormons in Illinois.