The Joseph Smith Papers Volume 11 September 1842-February 1843
The Joseph Smith Papers Volume 11 September 1842-February 1843
Details
The six months between September 1842 and February 1843 were a tempestuous time for Joseph Smith and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Still reeling from the disaffection of John C. Bennett - once a rising star in the church - Smith and the Saints now faced a firestorm caused by accusations that Bennett had first published in an Illinois newspaper in summer 1842. These allegations would shape many aspects of Joseph Smiths life in the months to come.
Bennett publicized the claim that Joseph Smith was an accessory to the attempted assassination of former Missouri governor Lilburn W. Boggs. On 20 July 1842, days after Bennett published this accusation, Boggs swore an affidavit against Smith, leading the then-current governor of Missouri to demand that Illinois authorities apprehend Smith and return him to Missouri to face justice. fearing for his life if her was arrested, Joseph Smith began a pattern of going into and coming out of hiding, often finding refuge in the homes of friends.
For much of the period covered by this volume, Joseph Smith was absorbed in avoiding extradition, and he was his associates persistently sought legal aid from government leaders. Their efforts culminated in a habeas corpus hearing that took place in federal court in Springfield, Illinois, in January 1843. The presiding judge rules that the charges against Smith failed to prove that he should be extradited, and he was later released from state custody. Even though rumors circulated that Missouri officials might not relent in their efforts to extradite Smith, he and the Saints viewed the ruling as a major legal victory and celebrated by composing songs an holding parties in Smith's honor.
Despite his preoccupation with his extradition case, Joseph Smith continued to attend to his many ecclesiastical and civic responsibilities. While trying to avoid arrest, he sent two letters to the Saints about the importance of precisely recording proxy baptisms for the dead that church members performed. He also continued to serve (until mid-October) as editor of the church newspaper in Nauvoo, Illinois, The Times and Seasons, and to attend to church business. Following his extradition hearing in January 1843, he resumed his practice of regularly speaking to the Saints on religious matters. That month and then next, he delivered several sermons in his home and in the unfinished Nauvoo temple on its temporary floor.
In February 1843 general election, Smith was elected mayor of Nauvoo, running unopposed - he had already been serving in that office since May 1842 by appointment from the city council. As mayor, he continued to work with the city council to address various municipal challenges and helped pass ordinances designed to resolve issues stemming from Nauvoo's exploding population. He also presided over, testified in, and initiated trials against several individuals accused of violating Nauvoo's religious and legal codes.
The texts presented her make this volume an invaluable resource for those studying this period of Later-day Saint history and the leader who strived to direct a burgeoning city and growing church amid trying circumstances.
Hard cover.
Bennett publicized the claim that Joseph Smith was an accessory to the attempted assassination of former Missouri governor Lilburn W. Boggs. On 20 July 1842, days after Bennett published this accusation, Boggs swore an affidavit against Smith, leading the then-current governor of Missouri to demand that Illinois authorities apprehend Smith and return him to Missouri to face justice. fearing for his life if her was arrested, Joseph Smith began a pattern of going into and coming out of hiding, often finding refuge in the homes of friends.
For much of the period covered by this volume, Joseph Smith was absorbed in avoiding extradition, and he was his associates persistently sought legal aid from government leaders. Their efforts culminated in a habeas corpus hearing that took place in federal court in Springfield, Illinois, in January 1843. The presiding judge rules that the charges against Smith failed to prove that he should be extradited, and he was later released from state custody. Even though rumors circulated that Missouri officials might not relent in their efforts to extradite Smith, he and the Saints viewed the ruling as a major legal victory and celebrated by composing songs an holding parties in Smith's honor.
Despite his preoccupation with his extradition case, Joseph Smith continued to attend to his many ecclesiastical and civic responsibilities. While trying to avoid arrest, he sent two letters to the Saints about the importance of precisely recording proxy baptisms for the dead that church members performed. He also continued to serve (until mid-October) as editor of the church newspaper in Nauvoo, Illinois, The Times and Seasons, and to attend to church business. Following his extradition hearing in January 1843, he resumed his practice of regularly speaking to the Saints on religious matters. That month and then next, he delivered several sermons in his home and in the unfinished Nauvoo temple on its temporary floor.
In February 1843 general election, Smith was elected mayor of Nauvoo, running unopposed - he had already been serving in that office since May 1842 by appointment from the city council. As mayor, he continued to work with the city council to address various municipal challenges and helped pass ordinances designed to resolve issues stemming from Nauvoo's exploding population. He also presided over, testified in, and initiated trials against several individuals accused of violating Nauvoo's religious and legal codes.
The texts presented her make this volume an invaluable resource for those studying this period of Later-day Saint history and the leader who strived to direct a burgeoning city and growing church amid trying circumstances.
Hard cover.