# data[].attributes.body
Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, believed that America was a sinful and individualistic society. Because of this, he called for a restoration of the early Christian Church. These members were called the "Latter Day Saints", or more commonly known as Mormons.

# data[].attributes.body
Brigham Young became the Mormon leader after the murder of Joseph Smith during the Mormon War. Young lead 6,500 Mormons to the Salt Lake City region due to the animosity that grew because of Mormon beliefs and practices.

# data[].attributes.body
The Mormon religion is Puritan based and believed that Christianity should be restored along the lines of what is known about the apostolic early church, which revolved around the direct apostles of Jesus Christ.

# data[].attributes.body
The way the Mormons were treated did not embrace the values that American government claimed to be enforcing. Even though the 1st Amendment called for freedom of religion, Mormons were persecuted and forced to migrate to Mexican territories, specifically the Salt Lake area. This action demonstrated that the federal government was not reflective of their own laws. Nowadays, most Mormons are known to be a part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Although some of their perspectives have changed, they still remain under the name and are able to practice the religion freely.

# data[].attributes.body
Back in the 19th century, Mormons referred to the practice of polygamy as plural marriage, in which the Church deemed it acceptable for men to have multiple wives. However, in modern society, polygamy is no longer practiced by Mormons since the practice was terminated in 1890. The belief of polygamy within the Mormon community created even more animosity and persecution from other religious denominations.

# data[].attributes.body
Cause: Mormons faced religious persecution in Nauvoo, Illinois - a discrimination that defied the 1st Amendment, freedom of religion. Effect: Seeking a place away from the oppressive influence, Brigham Young led Mormons into Mexican territory in Utah and the Great Salt Lake area. There, Mormons were able to practice their faith freely.

# data[].attributes.body
Mormons were religious utopians with a conservative agenda. They believed in patriarchal and authoritarian leadership in order to achieve moral perfection. They also practiced polygamy in the 19th century, but that practice is no longer accepted by the Mormon Church today.

# data[].attributes.body
Joseph Smith claimed that the Book of Mormon was a translation of ancient hieroglyphics written by early prophets that lived in America. The Book of Mormon is significant in which it claims the appearance of Jesus Christ in America after his resurrection.