Nation of Deseret
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Nauvoo Legion
The Nauvoo Legion
The Nauvoo Legion is a service organization of the Nation of Deseret. The Nauvoo Legion gets its name from a similar organization organized in 1844. The purpose of the Nauvoo Legion is to organize and train people in useful skills. Some of these skills include survival, self defense, and physical fitness. The Nauvoo Legion so has a strong focus on community service.
To learn more about the Nauvoo Legion and how to join or start a group in your area go to the official Nauvoo Legion website at:
History of the Legion
On Dec 16, 1844 The governor of Illinois signed the charter for Nauvoo giving Joseph Smith and the City of Nauvoo powers. One of these powers was to create an "body of independent militarymen." This militia became known as the Nauvoo Legion.
By 1844 the Nauvoo Legion had grown to about three thousand men. This was just over a third the size of the US Army at the time.
As a militia the Nauvoo Legion was at the disposal of the Governor of Illinois, the President of the United States and also the Nauvoo Mayor.
The Nauvoo Legion was largely under the control of the LDS church because the then mayor of Nauvoo was Joseph Smith. After Smith's death Brigham young took command of the Nauvoo Legion.
Towards the end of 1844, because of increasing anti-Mormon sentiment the Nauvoo charter was revoked. As a result the Nauvoo Legion was no longer legally a state militia. Despite this the Nauvoo Legion continued to function as a protective force for LDS settlers.
The Nauvoo Legion was legally revived in the then State of Deseret as the militia of that area. However, in 1870 a proclamation by Acting Governor J. Wilson Shaffer rendered the Legion inactive. And Finally the Legion was disbanded by the Edmunds-Tucker Act of 1887.
In 2009 the Nauvoo Legion has been reorganized as a group for American citizen living within the boundaries of the Deseret region.
