Carthage

Back to School TEACHER: Lou, go to the map and find North America Lou: Here it is. TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America? CLASS: Lou did! TEACHER: Krikit, how would you spell "crocodile?" Krikit: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L TEACHER: No Krikit, that's incorrect. Krikit: Ok, but you asked me how I would spell it!. TEACHER: Now, Ernie, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating? Ernie: No Maam, I don't have to. My Mom is a good cook. TEACHER: Pam, what do you call a person who keeps on talking and talking, even if people are no longer interested? PAM: A Gospel Doctrine teacher?

Joseph’s Legacy D&C 135 “Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. … He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. … Their innocent blood … is a witness to the truth of the everlasting gospel that all the world cannot impeach Gov.Thomas Ford Thus fell Joe Smith, the most successful impostor in modern times; a man who, though ignorant and coarse, had some great natural parts which fitted him for temporary success, but which were so obscured and counteracted by the inherent corruption and vices of his nature that he never could succeed in establishing a system of policy which looked to permanent success in the future

Tale of Two Jails 5 Years

Wilford Woodruff Joseph Smith was what he professed to be, a prophet of God, a seer and revelator. He laid the foundation of this Church and kingdom, and lived long enough to deliver the keys of the kingdom to the Elders of Israel, unto the Twelve Apostles. He spent the last winter of his life, some three or four months, with the Quorum of the Twelve, teaching them. It was not merely a few hours ministering to them the ordinances of the Gospel; but he spent day after day, week after week and month after month, teaching them and a few others the things of the kingdom of God. Said he, during that period, 'I now rejoice. I have lived until I have seen this burden, which has rested on my shoulders, rolled on to the shoulders of other men; now the keys of the kingdom are planted on the earth to be taken away no more for ever.' … he lived until every key, power and principle of the holy Priesthood was sealed on the Twelve and on President Young, as their President. He told us that he was going away to leave us, going away to rest. Said he, 'You have to round up your shoulders to bear up the kingdom. No matter what becomes of me. I have desired to see that Temple built, but I shall not live to see it. You will; you are called upon to bear off this kingdom.' This language was plain enough, but we did not understand it any more than the disciples of Jesus when he told them he was going away… (JD, 13:164)

The Perfect Storm Missourians Politics

Group 2- Politics Whig party- Anti-Mormon Warsaw Signal (Thomas Sharp) Sigamo Journal in Springfield, Ill Mouthpiece for John C. Bennett Democrats (Republican Party) Governor Ford Local candidates

Joseph Smith For President Fall letters sent to major presidential candidates 3 did not answer, 2 responded with “no help for Mormons” Jan Joseph chosen Sidney Rigdon chosen as Vice President Apostles sent on “missions” to the east after April Conference

Truman Madsen Wilford Woodruff, who conversed with the Prophet just after April Conference 1844, recalled that he later sent ten of the Twelve East on a mission, and that the Prophet seemed to linger in saying goodbye to him. Then, looking him through and through, he said, "Brother Woodruff, I want you to go, and if you do not, you will die." And he looked "unspeakably sorrowful, as if weighed down by a foreboding of something dreadful." (Last Months and Martyrdom, Joseph Smith the Prophet)

Joseph Smith’s Political Platform Cut Gov’t by two- thirds Reduce congress pay to farmers level Sell public land to buy back slaves, Outlaw slavery by 1850 Annex Texas, Oregon, Canada, Mexico Prisons for violent prisoners only; made into universities Strengthen President’s hand to protect citizens

The Perfect Storm Missourians Politics Freemasonry

Group 3- Freemasons Brigham Young believed in this theory Introduction into Nauvoo Joseph Smith- quick study May 12 th Apprentice Mason May 13 th - Craftsman Mason May 14 th - Master Mason May 14 th - Day full endowment given Seen as “True Solomon”

The Perfect Storm Missourians Politics Freemasonry Apostates

Group 4- Apostates December Porter Rockwell comes with news of a “Brutus” City Council accusations “a hit pidgon always flutters”

Blood Oaths Laws Higbees Fosters All excommunicated in March- Started church with William Law as Prophet Nauvoo Expositor

Question How is your testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith? What is the difference between testimony and conversion?