This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: JoAnnJeppsen Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.virginia.counties.pittsylvania/3305.1.1.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I have been reading your messages about your families that went to Missiouri and then returned. I don't have have specific information about your families but I do know quite a bit about the history of the Mormons in Missouri. After the Haun's Mill Massacre, the Saints were confronted by the mobs in Far West. Due to do various circumstances that I won't go into, the leaders of the church were arrested, the town ransacked, and then the Saints were told that they had to leave Missiouri that Winter or they would all be killed. That winter The Saints made a mass exodus across the Mississippi River to Illinois, due to the losses suffered by the people at the hands of the mob, they were in very dire straits. The families you are looking at might have decided to return to Virginia to try and put their lives back together. The majority of the Mormons stayed in Illinois and built a city there called Nauvoo. In 1846, the Mormons, due again to religous persection were forced to a! bandon this city ( the largest in Illinois at that time) and move west to Rocky Mountains of Utah. I hope this helps in understanding your families. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.