I believe that the reform era has increased the scope of social and cultural freedoms by adding more religious and social diversity in communities that have given Americans more choices. In the following paragraphs I describe three utopian societies, the Mormons, the Shakers, and the Oneida community. Beginning of the Mormon journey and Joseph Smith's absolute authority over the group and its controversial practice of polygamy. Then the Shakers, who believe that men and women are spiritually equal and believe in “virginal purity.” Finally the Oneidas society which yet another controversial practice of complex marriage where any man can propose sexual intercourse with any woman of his choice if she accepts, and also its practice of eugenics where only selected couples could have children. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The Mormons' Trek was founded in 1820 by Joseph Smith, who claimed to have been led by an angel to a set of golden plates with strange writing, which only he can interpret, and translated it into the Book of Mormon . Joseph Smith acquired absolute authority over his followers and exercised it as he pleased. They experienced many social and cultural freedoms that made them different and angry people. The book also states that Mormons refuse to separate church and state and that the most controversial thing would be their practice of polygamy, which gives men the right to have more than one wife, which contradicts the teaching and traditional Christian morality. They escaped from New York, Ohio, and Missouri before settling in Nauvoo, Illinois in 1839. Smith was arrested for inciting a riot and while in prison was killed. Another Mormon leader, Brigham Young, led 10,000 followers across the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains to the Great Salt Lake in Utah, where they hoped to practice their religion in peace and continue to pursue their purpose of creating a Kingdom of God on the Earth. Shakers were the most successful religious community, which was a “refuge from the evils of this Sodom” as the founders of Zoar, Ohio put it. The Shakers were founded by Mother Anne Lee in the late 18th century, she claimed that Christ told her to emigrate with his followers to America. The first Shaker community was founded in 1787 in New York state. The Shakers believed that God had a “dual” personality, both male and female, so men and women were spiritually equal. Part of the Shaker faith was “Virgin purity,” men and women lived separately and ate in communal dining rooms. They grew up attracting converts and adopting children from orphanages. They rejected the idea of ​​individual ownership, but were able to succeed economically by selling vegetables and flower seeds, raising livestock, and making furniture. Their main purpose was to withdraw from an external world permeated by sin. In 1848, Oneida was founded in New York state by John Humphrey Noyes. In 1836, Noyes and his followers founded a small community in Putney, Vermont. Noyes abandoned private property and traditional marriage. He taught that all members of the community formed one sacred family of equals. Furthermore, instead of traditional marriage, they believed in complex marriage which allowed any man to propose sexual intercourse to any woman, who could accept or reject his request. They believed that individual exclusive affections were a danger and destroyed the harmony of society. Noyes was accused of adultery and moved his company to Oneida in 1848. It was a very dictatorial environment, to become a member.