Mormon History, Jun 7, 1844

-- Jun 7, 1844
Robert D Foster: Assisted in writing and printing of Nauvoo Expositor 7 June 1844. (1)

William Law: Printed Nauvoo Expositor 7 June 1844. (1)

-- Jun 7, 1844, Friday
[William Clayton Writings] In order to effect their purposes the more speedily, the apostates obtained a printing press; and on Friday, June 7th, the first number of a paper called the Nauvoo Expositor was issued. The paper was full of the most libellous and slanderous matter against the President, imaginable, and was designed as an engine to bring destruction upon the city. (2)

[William Clayton Writings] The final events were precipitated on June 7, when a group of bitter seceders from the church and other non- Mormons published the first and only number of the Nauvoo Expositor. All the charges were there, including so- called political dictatorship and polygamy, and William Clayton was incensed. He knew the prophet well enough to know he was no dictator and that his personal morality was of the highest order. ``Truly,'' he wrote of the Expositor in what was almost an understatement, ``it seems to be a source of falsehood and bitter misrepresentation.'' (2)

-- June 7-10 1844
First and only issue of the Nauvoo Expositor (anti-Mormon newspaper) published; Sylvester Emmons, editor. Publication destroyed by order of Nauvoo City Council. Joseph Smith as mayor orders the city marshal, John Greene, to destroy the Nauvoo Expositor press, scatter type, and burn any remaining newspapers. (3)

-- Jun 8, 1844
The day after the publication of the NAUVOO EXPOSITOR, Mayor Joseph Smith "Made a long speech in favor of having an ordinance to suppress Libels &c. in Nauvoo and a committee was appointed to draft." (4)

[Joseph Smith] From 10 A.M. to 1 P.M. and from 3 P.M. to 6:30 P.M., Joseph discusses with the city council what to do about the Nauvoo Expositor. They first discuss the men behind the Expositor, stating that they were immoral, were diseased, had sued Joseph when he was in prison, and had hired a man to kill Joseph. In the afternoon Joseph suggests that the council pass an ordinance against libelous publications. He rails against R. D. Foster again, remembering his several immoralities and his threats against Joseph's life. Joseph says such papers "are calculated to destroy the peace of the city, and it is not safe that such things should exist, on account of the mob spirit which they tend to produce." After discussing the conspiracy of these men, the council adjourns until Monday morning. (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 6:430-31, 434-43, 470, 7:62-63.) (5)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Saturday, June 8th 1844 10 to one in city council. Burlington ferry Boat come down with a pleasure party and landed at N[auvoo] H[ouse] landing about 2 o'clock.

3 to 6 1/2 P.M. in /City/ Council. Made a long speech in favor of having an ordinance to suppress Libels &c. in Nauvoo and a committee was appointed to draft.

Counsellor [Sylvester] Emmons, Editor of the "Expositor," was cited to appear at the next regular term of the Council on impeachment. Elder Grant preached at the Mansion this eve. [several lines left blank] Thunder and Rain this eve and night. (6)

-- Jun 9, 1844
[Anointed Quorum] Sunday evening prayer circle at Mansion House at 6 p.m. . (7)

Writing from Washington D.C., Heber C. Kimball describes the White House and says: "I want to see our Prophet here in the chare of Stat[e]s when we will come and see him. "He writes to his daughter, Helen Mar Kimball, who is a secret wife of Joseph Smith: "Be true to the covenants that you have made, keep the company of those who are wise and keep close mouths. Solomon says, 'A wise head keeps a close mouth.'" (4)

[Joseph Smith] Sunday. The Prophet writes: "My health not very good, in consequence of my lungs being impaired by so much public speaking. My brother Hyrum preached at the Stand." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 6:431.) (5)

[Joseph Smith Diary] Sunday, June 9th 1844 At home. Health not very good. Lungs wearied. Hyrum preached at the stand.

2 P.M. Several passengers of the "Osprey" from St. Louis and Quincy put up at the Mansion. I helped carry in their trunks and chatted with them in the bar room.

Meeting at Mansion [at] 6 o'clock. (6)


Footnotes:
1 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith
2 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries
3 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
4 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
5 - Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology
6 - Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1844, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries
7 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power


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