These factors had been present in the conflicts between the Mormons and their neighbors in Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, and Utah. To see the Mormon declare so confidently that his was the only true religion made the non-Mormon writhe in self-righteous anger and assume a crusading spirit. Even more they resented the almost terrifying attitude of certainty which the Mormons maintained in relation to the religious doctrines. They also resented the tendency of the Mormons to band together against outsiders. When non-Mormons came into contact with the theocratic features of Mormon communities they resented the intermixture of religion and politics. To the Mormon it was very natural to place his church leaders in public office. In the absence of civil courts and law officers these islands were largely self-contained with the bishop ordinarily elected as a civil officer - frequently the county probate judge. The Mormon population was highly concentrated but existed in islands. By 1880 these settlements had extended as far west as Oakley and as far north as Rexburg.

By 1877, when the great Mormon leader died, there were approximately thirty-one distinct Mormon settlements in Idaho.

The colonizing genius of the Latter-day Saints under the leadership of Brigham Young had established permanent settlements within what was to become Idaho as early as 1860. In 1863 there was a considerable colony of Mormons in the southeastern corner of the territory.

Camitas oath of loyalty