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Illinois

Kenneth W. Godfrey

There are several significant Mormon historical sites in Illinois. Some of the more important of these are described here.

The Zelph Mound. On June 3, 1834, more than 200 Latter-day Saints camped near the Illinois River, one mile south of modern Valley City. While exploring what anthropologists refer to as a prehistoric middle woodland mortuary complex of the Hopewell Indian culture, these Mormons unearthed a skeleton. Joseph Smith, through a Revelation, identified the bones as the remains of a Zelph, believed by Latter-day Saints to be a white Lamanite (or Indian) who may have participated in some of the last Nephite-Lamanite battles described in the Book of Mormon.

Quincy. When most Latter-day Saints resided in Kirtland, Ohio, and several northern Missouri communities (1831-1837), missionaries gleaned a few converts as they proselyted in Illinois. However, following the 1839 Mormon expulsion from Missouri, hundreds of exiles congregated at the Illinois River town of Quincy. Accepting the kind hospitality of the non Mormon citizenry, these Latter-day Saints found shelter in Quincy for a few months and even held a general conference there to discuss their future.

Springfield. A Church branch was established in the state capital of Springfield in 1839 and a Church conference was held, a major event for Church members. Later, John C. Bennett, representing Nauvoo, was elected secretary of the meeting that organized the Illinois State Medical Society. In 1840, the Illinois State legislature met in Springfield and granted the Nauvoo Charter.

Monmouth. Joseph Smith was arrested on a Missouri writ and taken to Monmouth in Warren County, Illinois, for trial on June 1, 1841. Posting bail, the Prophet and Sheriff Thomas King of Adams County made their way to Nauvoo. King became ill and was nursed back to health by Joseph and Emma Smith. A week later, June 7, 1841, Smith went to Monmouth again and was tried before a large crowd by Judge Stephen A. Douglas. Jesse Little defended the Mormon leader, and on June 10, 1841, Joseph was acquitted.