History Tour Page

LAMONI, IOWA

A Sampling of Lamoni History images.

Events Foreshadowing the Founding of Lamoni, Iowa

1840s

    Under the leadership of Joseph Smith Jr., a unique American religious movement known as the CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS established a rapidly growing settlement at Nauvoo, Illinois.
    This community quickly grew into one of the largest cities in Illinois.
    Following Joseph Smith's death in 1844, an escalating conflict of cultures forced the MORMONS to leave Nauvoo.
    A large group of members followed Apostle Brigham Young westward into Iowa Territory.

Joseph Smith, Jr.'s widow, Emma Hale Smith, and many other early church members remained behind.

Emma Hale Smith (1804-1879), wife of Joseph Smith, Jr., the original oil portrait, ca. 1842, is housed in the Community of Christ Museum, World Headquarters, Independence, Missouri

THE IOWA MORMON TRAIL

1846

Iowa has provided welcome respite to many weary travelers. As a result of their westward exodus from Nauvoo, Illinois, the MORMONS were among the earliest settlers to seek sanctuary in Iowa.
    Temporary staging communities sprang up along the Mormon Trail across Iowa. A string of such sites stretches across Iowa. One of the largest of these temporary gathering sites was Garden Grove.

On Pioneer Day in 1946, Community of Christ Church President Israel A. Smith participated in a large commemoration held in honor of the centennial anniversary of the founding of Garden Grove.

Community of Christ (RLDS Church) President Israel A. Smith, at Garden Grove, 1946

Through the years, many markers have been placed on Mormon Trail sites such as the one which may be seen at the Raccoon Forks crossing near present-day Lewis, Iowa.

WINTER QUARTERS

1846 to 1852

In search of a safe haven in the West, the MORMONS regrouped for a time in Western Iowa Territory and in what is today Eastern Nebraska. Even before Nebraska opened for settlement, numerous Mormon settlements sprang up along both sides of the Missouri River. These temporary communities served as staging areas for Mormonism's extensive migration to Utah and points west. Because trail travel was impossible during inclement weather, this area became known as Winter Quarters.

FOUNDING AND DEVELOPMENT OF LAMONI, IOWA

1850s - 1880s

Next Page

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Community of Christ HEADQUARTERS

Community of Christ Church Headquarters at Lamoni, Iowa, 1880-1920

GRACELAND UNIVERSITY

History of Graceland University

LAMONI'S RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY

Today Lamoni enjoys a strongly diverse religious tradition.

LAMONI IN THE 1990s

Present Day Lamoni

And Other Community of Christ Congregations in Iowa

LAMONI EXHIBIT

This Exhibit is on currently on display at the Lamoni, Iowa, State Visitor's Center at the I-35 Lamoni Exit

Development of this Lamoni Exhibit and Acknowledgements.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT:

  • Liberty Hall, Lamoni, Iowa:

    •     (Martha Harper McKain, site coordinator)
        • Liberty Hall is open for tours!
    This is an exciting step back in time, visiting the home of Joseph Smith III and his family. It is an ideal way to view what Victorian life was like at the turn of the century.
  • Community of Christ Historian's Office, Independence, Missouri Lamoni Information Page

    TRAVELING TO MISSOURI?

    Information on Community of Christ Church Headquarters
    and the Children's Peace Pavillion (Children's Museum)

    Things to visit at Community of Christ Headquarters, Independence, Missouri

    Back to beginning of Lamoni Tour Page

    Back to the Historian's Office Page

    Back to the Community of Christ Web Page

    Thanks for visiting, come again!