Joseph Smith was a religious leader. Whether or not you believe that the religion he lead or that all religious are cult-like is your opinion.
Joseph Smith
I believe you are thinking of Joseph Smith, and his starting of the Mormon religion
After the Book of Mormon was found, people became angry. They martyred the Prophet Joseph Smith. Afterwards, persecution for the Mormons became worse, and they decided to move to Utah for a place to live without persecution.
Joseph Smith rejected all of it.
Carthage, Illinois in Carthage Jail.
Joseph Smith, Jr. was a religious leader, and founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. He's also well-known as the author of the Book of Mormon.
United States religious leader of the Mormon Church after the assassination of Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith, Jr. (December 23, 1805 - June 27, 1844) was an American religious leader and the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
for the Mormons I'd have to say Joseph Smith did... that is if you believe all that he said had happened to him.
They continued to move from place to place until they found somewhere they could practice their religion free from persecution.
Well, there weren't really 3 reasons. They had to leave where they were because of severe religious persecution (and in many cases, the local government asked them to leave). Joseph Smith prophesied that they would find peace in the Rocky Mountains, so that's where they went.