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Spiritual Economics: Some Financial Considerations Of Mormon Settlement In Illinois, R Philip Reynolds

Librarian and Staff Publications

Thirty thousand Mormons Lived in Western Illinois in the 1840’s, with only about half of them living in Nauvoo. Almost all discussion concerning Mormons between 1839 and 1846 is limited to Nauvoo. Researchers are lucky to find a handful of brief articles about Mormons outside the city. Upon further investigation, these settlements emerge as being far more important to the success of Nauvoo than this neglect indicates.

Ultimately, most settlements resulted from three causes: Mormon interaction and experience with Illinois before their expulsion from Missouri, overwhelming economic need, and proselyting successes. In many of their actions, church leaders assumed a …

"Spokes Of The Wheel:" Mormon Settlement Patterns In Illinois Between 1838 And 1846, R Philip Reynolds

Librarian and Staff Publications

Mormon settlement outside of Nauvoo, Illinois is one of the most neglected topics in Mormon history. Almost all discussion concerning Mormons between 1839 and 1846 is limited to Nauvoo although, as one researcher put it: "Mormon contact in Illinois was infinitely larger." Nauvoo's population of about 15,000 in 1845 was only half of the estimated 30,000 Mormons who made their home in Western Illinois. Still when searching for information about Mormons living outside the city, researchers are lucky to find a handful of brief articles and a few asides in discussions of Nauvoo. Upon further investigation these settlements emerge as …