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What was the reason Joseph Smith was jailed and killed in Carthage?


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Posted (edited)

I know he and Hyrum Smith, John Taylor, and the other guy were jailed in Carthage and then a mob stormed them and killed Joseph and Hyrum, and wounded John Taylor, but what were the causes that led up to this incident? Why were they jailed and for what reason did the mob kill them? I mean they had survived mobs before and jail before, what made this June 1844 incident different? I've heard many different reasons, but I won't say them because they're all so different and I wanted the official reason with what happened and why and how it came about. And did it have anything to do with the burning of the printing press?

Edited by VideoGameJunkie
Posted
2 minutes ago, VideoGameJunkie said:

I know he and Hyrum Smith, John Taylor, and the other guy were jailed in Carthage and then a mob stormed them and killed Joseph and Hyrum, and wounded John Taylor, but what were the causes that led up to this incident? Why were they jailed and for what reason did the mob kill them? I mean they had survived mobs before and jail before, what made this June 1844 incident different? I've heard many different reasons, but I won't say them because they're all so different and I wanted the official reason with what happened and why and how it came about. And did it have anything to do with the burning of the printing press?

The printing press destruction was the main excuse used.

The reasons behind that are many - everything from political power struggles, voting issues, money, polygamy, population distribution.  There was no ONE cause in the end.  Just one excuse that led to his arrest.

Posted
4 hours ago, Avatar4321 said:

He was in jail for treason

Alleged. :huh:

Posted
9 hours ago, JLHPROF said:

The printing press destruction was the main excuse used.

The reasons behind that are many - everything from political power struggles, voting issues, money, polygamy, population distribution.  There was no ONE cause in the end.  Just one excuse that led to his arrest.

Wait a second, I was always taught it was because he wouldn't deny his testimony...:rolleyes:

Posted
8 minutes ago, omni said:

Wait a second, I was always taught it was because he wouldn't deny his testimony...:rolleyes:

If that were the case then why were 3 other men jailed along with Joseph and 2 others shot.

Posted (edited)
10 hours ago, VideoGameJunkie said:

Thanks for the info and that's why I was confused. There seemed to be so many reasons.

Very few things in like that last longer than a few minutes are only occurring for one reason.  The more people involved, the longer the time, the more serious the action, the more complicated and thus the list keeps going and likely varies from person to person.

This may help with the story, perhaps even the background you are looking for:

https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/joseph-smith-prophet-man/21-remembering-deaths-joseph-and-hyrum-smith

https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/joseph-smith-prophet-man/22-joseph-smith-true-martyr

Edited by Calm
Posted
6 hours ago, The Nehor said:

True, as if he had he would not have been there.

:nea:

In 1844 with 12000 saints in Nauvoo, polygamy rumors being bandied about, a presidential nomination, and so much more I doubt even denying his testimony would have saved him.

However his coming out and claiming he made everything up could have cause the Church to collapse.  But even then there were so many other members who had witnessed visions, angels and miracles, if Joseph had claimed he made everything up I'm not even sure that would have ended Mormonism.  Too many others had experienced too much evidence of its truthfulness.

Posted
7 hours ago, Calm said:

Very few things in like that last longer than a few minutes are only occurring for one reason.  The more people involved, the longer the time, the more serious the action, the more complicated and thus the list keeps going and likely varies from person to person.

This may help with the story, perhaps even the background you are looking for:

https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/joseph-smith-prophet-man/21-remembering-deaths-joseph-and-hyrum-smith

https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/joseph-smith-prophet-man/22-joseph-smith-true-martyr

The article stated, "At the home of William Jordan, on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River, 
Joseph learned that some of his followers were accusing him “of cowardice for leaving his 
people, concluding it was like the fable, when the wolves came the shepherd ran, leaving the 
sheep to be devoured.” Even though God had clearly shown him not only the way to save his 
own life, but the lives of his people as well, the Prophet, deeply hurt by the cowardice 
accusations, remarked, “If my life is of no value to my friends, it is of none to myself.” 
Convinced that a return to Illinois soil meant that he would be butchered, Joseph, perhaps 
like his brother Hyrum, became reconciled to his fate (Blake 69). Slowly making his way to 
the river and the boat, he told Porter Rockwell that he would like to talk to the people once 
more. Rockwell said that it might be done by starlight (Ibid 70-71). However, this was not to 
be
."

I saw another tidbit added on MRM's site.

"Joseph Smith sought the help of Illinois Governor Thomas Ford. In order
to have this matter settled, Ford believed that Smith and the others who
were originally charged should submit themselves to the constable at
Carthage (David Bettisworth) and there await trial. In his letter
Governor Ford also promised Smith and the others that they would “be
protected from violence.”

Refusing to believe the governor’s promises, Smith made plans to escape
capture and flee to the Rocky Mountains. Orrin Porter Rockwell arrived
with a message from his wife who urged her husband to return and give
himself up because several of his followers were accusing him of
cowardice. Smith returned to Nauvoo, spent the night, and in the morning
was told that he had to report to Carthage by 10 a.m. However, no
escorts were provided
."

What evidence do we have to prove that statement, "God had clearly shown him 
not only the way to save his own life, but the lives of his people as well"?

Thanks,
Jim

Posted
3 minutes ago, theplains said:

What evidence do we have to prove that statement, "God had clearly shown him not only the way to save his own life, but the lives of his people as well"?

The same evidence we have of ANY revelation to anyone.  Faith.  Joseph was always going to be martyred, but it may have happened at a different time or place if his "friends" hadn't pushed him to surrender and go to Carthage.  In much the same way Christ was always to die for our sins, but Judas had his agency and it could have been brought about differently.

Posted
2 minutes ago, JLHPROF said:

The same evidence we have of ANY revelation to anyone.  Faith.  Joseph was always going to be martyred, but it may have happened at a different time or place if his "friends" hadn't pushed him to surrender and go to Carthage.  In much the same way Christ was always to die for our sins, but Judas had his agency and it could have been brought about differently.

Why did he need a push to surrender?

Thanks,

Jim

Posted

It is unfortunate that Joseph Smith broke the law  This is where any excuse would do..

Posted (edited)
3 hours ago, theplains said:

Why did he need a push to surrender?

Thanks,

Jim

Why did Jesus try to avoid being crucified?

Quote

O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me …

 

 

Edited by Sleeper Cell
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