Would the Church of Mormon have existed without the American Frontier?

Question

Honest question. I don't mean to be flippant or offend anyone. I ask this becaues I wonder if the American Frontier (the unsettled Old West) created a unique situation for Mormonism to thrive, unaffected by the rest of the US. By the time the frontier had become settled to the point of territories becoming states, Mormonism had grown to the point that the Mormon Church had actual political power and could not be denied legitimacy without civil conflict.

I also ask this because I wonder if the Mormon Church would have the same power and legitimacy today if it were founded in today's society instead of during the time of the American Frontier.

Again, I don't mean to offend or be flippant. If my question reflects a lack of understanding, please educate me. I am genuinely curious.

Answer 1

The Mormons were driven out of Kansas and Illinois. At that time, these places were considered the edge of civilization. To the west was a great open frontier, including Utah. I don't believe that the Mormons would have survived the persecution byf their neighbors, if they did not have the frontier as a refuge. You asked, "if the LDS Church could be formed today would it thrive", why not? Scientology was started in 1952 by a bad science fiction writer. It has quite a number of adherents. Personally, I think it proves that people will buy into anything.

Answer 2

Joseph Smith the founder of mormonism would have built his church regardless whether or not there was an American Frontier! The only way for Utah to become a State was for mormons to renounce pologomy!

If mormonism was founded today it would probably not have the same clout as it had back when it was founded!

Answer 3

My guess is no. They exist because of a large religious thing going on at the time. sort of a revival. It is also the easiest way to be tax free and control the lives of thousand and millions of people. They are a corporation, not a church. they are a multi billion dollar company yet their so called prophet does not get paid by the church or so I am told, well where does all that money go? no one in that whole organization does not collect a salary? I have a real hard time dealing with that. It goes in someones pocket. It was a ideal moment in history for the rise of something like them.

Answer 4

If Mormonism had not had an isolated place to build a community established religions would have rode them out of town on a rail for their peculiar version of Christianity.

Answer 5

You know what's funny? Just this evening on Wild West Tech featured on the History Channel, they were showcasing "Massacre Tech". What do you know, the Mormon's massacred a few hundred people in 1837 because they were traveling in Utah without a permit.

Answer 6

It was more due to the general ignorence of the day... it was a time when "seers" were all the rage. and the occult was openly practiced in remote areas... J Smith was into all of that... also due to remotness and ignorence there were any number of "religions" betouted to the masses... J Smith just cashed in on the wide open market for BS of most any kind... today he would be on the tv and getting rich... or in Waco and getting burned...

Answer 7

The environment did make a good conduit for such a community to come into being and thrive.

When thats the only game in town it can grow pretty good.

I believe as you have intimated....starting today in our modern world, it would have never achieved what it has.

Answer 8

There is an old Chinese saying (Sorry if my translation is not good enough here): Situations bring about heroes, heroes create situations.
Whether you regard the Mormons as heroes or not.
Without one there could not be the other.

Answer 9

Well, considering there aren't too many little white lizards to talk to in the big cities ... probably not.