Joseph Smith's Presidential Campaign

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Joseph Smith's Presidential Campaign

105 Primary Sources

Black and white newspaper ad with an engraving of a dark cloud marked 'error' with light bursting through marked 'vis' shining on the land marked 'veritas,' underneath it states "super hanc petram aedificabo. For President, Gen. Joseph Smith, of Nauvoo, Illinois. For Vice President, Sidney Rigdon. of Pennsylvania." — A presidential campaign ad for Joseph Smith in the June 22, 1844 copy of *The Prophet*, a New York newspaper. The slogan 'SUPER HANC PETRAM ÆDIFICABO' means 'Upon This Rock I Will Build.'

Did Joseph Smith run for president?

Yes. Joseph Smith[BIO] was a candidate in the 1844 United States presidential election.[1] Sidney Rigdon[BIO] ran as his vice president.[2]

Why did Joseph Smith run for president?

Joseph Smith said he wanted to protect the rights of Latter-day Saints and "the weak and oppressed.”[3][4][5] As President, he said he would “protect the people in their rights & liberties.”[6]

Why didn’t he just support a good candidate already in the race?

Joseph initially supported Henry Clay for President.[7] In late 1843, Joseph wrote to five presumptive presidential candidates asking what their actions would be regarding the Latter-day Saints and how they would assist in their Missouri troubles.[8]

Three candidates responded, including Clay, but no one committed to help.[9]

When did Joseph decide to run for president?

On January 29, 1844, Joseph met with local leaders “to take into consideration the proper course for this people to pursue in relation to the coming Presidential Election.”[10] In this meeting, Willard Richards[BIO] said that Joseph should run for President. The men unanimously agreed.[11]

Timeline of Joseph Smith’s Presidential Run

November 29, 1839

Joseph Smith meets President Martin Van Buren[BIO] at the White House seeking aid in the Missouri conflicts. Van Buren, a Democrat, says he cannot help the Saints.[12]

Fall 1840

Joseph Smith votes for the Whig candidate William Henry Harrison[BIO] in the presidential election.[13]

August 29, 1843

Joseph Smith supports Whig politician Henry Clay[BIO] for President and identifies himself as a Whig and a democrat, but condemns the Democratic Party.[14]

November 4, 1843

Joseph Smith writes to presumptive presidential candidates Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun,[BIO] Lewis Cass,[BIO] Richard Mentor Johnson,[BIO] and Martin Van Buren, asking what their “rule of action” would be towards the Latter-day Saints if elected.[15]

November 15, 1843

Henry Clay responds to Joseph Smith, saying he will not commit to helping the Saints.[16]

December 2, 1843

John C. Calhoun responds to Joseph Smith and says the federal government does not have the authority to intervene with the Saints’ troubles in Missouri.[17]

December 9, 1843

Lewis Cass responds to Joseph Smith, saying the President does not have the power to intervene in the Saints’ conflicts in Missouri.[18]

January 2, 1844

Joseph Smith writes back to John C. Calhoun, condemning his response.[19]

January 29, 1844

Joseph Smith is first nominated to run for President by a group of leaders in Nauvoo and meets with W. W. Phelps[BIO] to write his views on government.[20]

February 8, 1844

Joseph Smith’s campaign pamphlet containing his views is read publicly for the first time, and Joseph states that he entered the election to protect religious and civil rights.[21]

February 14, 1844

Nauvoo Neighbor first reports on Joseph Smith’s candidacy for president.[22]

February 20–21, 1844

Under Joseph’s direction, the Twelve Apostles select men to find a place for the Saints to move to "have a government of our own" after the temple is completed.[23]

March 4, 1844

Joseph Smith’s journal mentions having chosen James Arlington Bennet[BIO] as his running mate and vice president.[24]

March 8, 1844

Willard Richards mistakenly tells Joseph that James Arlington Bennet does not qualify to be vice president.[25] First Presidency and the Twelve decide Wilford Woodruff[BIO] will write to Solomon Copeland[BIO] about being the vice president.[26]

March 10, 1844

Joseph Smith forms a council, which becomes the "Council of Fifty," to discuss letters from Saints in Wisconsin asking to relocate to Texas.[27]

March 11, 1844

Joseph Smith formally organizes the Council of Fifty, which discusses establishing a theocracy in the West.[28] A committee is appointed to draft a constitution for the theocracy.[29]

March 14, 1844

Council of Fifty sends Lucien Woodworth to Texas.[30]

March 21, 1844

Council of Fifty approves Wilford Woodruff’s letter to Solomon Copeland inviting him to run as Joseph’s vice president.[31]

April 9, 1844

244 Elders in Nauvoo volunteer to electioneer for Joseph Smith throughout the country.[32]

April 11, 1844

The Council of Fifty accepts Joseph Smith as "Prophet, Priest, and King."[33]

May 3, 1844

Lucien Woodworth reports to the Council of Fifty on his meeting with Texas President Sam Houston.[34][35]

May 6, 1844

Sidney Rigdon is chosen as Joseph Smith’s running mate during a meeting of the Council of Fifty.[36]

May 13, 1844

Joseph Smith writes back to Henry Clay, strongly condemning him and his response.[37]

May 17, 1844

A convention in Nauvoo nominates Joseph Smith for President and Sidney Rigdon for Vice President. Delegates are selected to attend a national convention in Baltimore.[38]

June 27, 1844

Joseph Smith is killed at Carthage Jail.[39]

July 13, 1844

The National “Mormon Convention” meets in Baltimore and endorses no candidate for president.[40]

Expand Timeline

What party did he run for?

Joseph Smith said that he would not run as a Whig or Democrat, but as an independent candidate.[41]

Read More Difficult Questions

105 Primary Sources

Footnotes

BIOJoseph Smith, Jr.
Joseph Smith (1805–1844) organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Born in Sharon, Vermont, he began to experience visions of deity and angels at a young age. One vision featured the Angel Moroni, who revealed the location of gold plates with an account of ancient Americans. He translated this record and published it as The Book of Mormon. He continued to receive revelations throughout his life which serve as the foundation for the Church's doctrine today. He led the Latter-day Saints across the country from New York to Illinois. In 1844, he was martyred while awaiting trial in Carthage, Illinois.
BIOSidney Rigdon
Sidney Rigdon (1793–1876) was a Campbellite minister in Pennsylvania but joined the Church in 1830. He was a gifted orator and served as a member of Joseph Smith's First Presidency. He ran as Joseph Smith's vice presidential candidate in 1844. After Joseph Smith's death, he claimed to be Joseph Smith's successor in opposition to the Quorum of the Twelve. He was excommunicated and went on to establish "The Church of Jesus Christ" in Friendship, New York, where he lived until his death.
BIOWillard Richards
Willard Richards (June 24, 1804 – March 11, 1854) was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. He was a physician and served as Second Counselor to Brigham Young in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1847 until his death. Richards was present at the shooting of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. He also served as the first editor-in-chief for the Deseret News.
BIOMartin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren (1782–1862) was the 8th U.S. president, a key organizer of the Democratic Party, and known for his role in shaping modern political campaigning and party structure. Joseph Smith visited him in December 1839 seeking redress and help for the Saints, but Van Buren said he could not help.
BIOWilliam Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison (1773–1841) was the 9th U.S. president. He was a military hero from the War of 1812 and was elected to the presidency in 1840 as the Whig candidate, defeating Democrat incumbent Martin Van Buren. He died 31 days after taking office.
BIOHenry Clay
Henry Clay (1777–1852) was an American attorney and politician. He was a Representative and Senator for Kentucky, and also served as Speaker of the House and Secretary of State. Often regarded as the "Great Compromiser," he played a major role in the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850. He ran for president as the Whig candidate in 1844, but was defeated by James K. Polk.
BIOJohn C. Calhoun
John C. Calhoun (1782–1850) was an American politician and political theorist who championed states’ rights, nullification, and slavery. He was a Senator and Congressman from South Carolina, and served as Secretary of State, Secretary of War, and Vice President to Andrew Jackson. He briefly ran for president in the 1844 election, but withdrew his candidacy.
BIOLewis Cass
Lewis Cass (1782–1866) was an American politician, diplomat, and military officer who served as governor of Michigan Territory, Senator from Michigan, Secretary of War, and Secretary of State. A Democratic presidential candidate in 1844 and 1848, he advocated for popular sovereignty on the issue of slavery in the territories.
BIORichard Mentor Johnson
Richard M. Johnson (1780–1850) was an American congressman from Kentucky and Vice President to Martin Van Buren. He supported westward expansion and claimed to have killed Tecumseh at the Battle of the Thames. He sought the Democratic nomination for president in 1844, but was unsuccessful.
BIOW. W. Phelps
William W. Phelps (1792–1872) was born in New Jersey. Phelps joined the Latter-day Saints in 1831 and was a Latter-day Saint news editor, author, and Church leader. He edited the Evening and Morning Star and wrote several Latter-day Saint hymns (like "The Spirit of God"). In 1838, he was excommunicated for apostasy but had rejoined the Church by 1839. William traveled with the Saints to Utah, where he served in the Utah Territorial Legislature. He participated in numerous professional organizations and served as a lawyer in the Utah Territorial Courts.
BIOJames Arlington Bennet
James Arlington Bennet (1788–1863) was a New York–born attorney and educator, the son of Irish immigrants. He was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1843 but remained inactive. In 1844 Joseph Smith invited him to run for vice president, then withdrew the offer when Willard Richards mistakenly believed Bennet had been born in Ireland, which would have made him ineligible.
BIOWilford Woodruff
Wilford Woodruff (1807–1898) was the fourth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He joined the faith in 1833 and became an apostle in 1839. He served as an apostle until he became President of the Church in 1889.
BIOSolomon Copeland
Solomon Copeland (1799–c.1844) was a Tennessee farmer, surveyor, and politician. He served as Henry County surveyor and later represented the county in the Tennessee state legislature from 1841 to 1843. A business investor and community leader, he was invited in 1844 to run for U.S. vice president as Joseph Smith’s running mate. He died sometime between May 1843 and July 1845.
BIOErastus Snow
Erastus Snow (1818–1888) joined the Church in 1833 in Vermont. He served missions in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts and was ordained a member of the Seventy in 1836. He had 4 wives, 23 sons, and 13 daughters. He served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from 1849 until his death.
[1]↩︎
Joseph was officially nominated by an Illinois state convention on May 17, 1844.
The Nauvoo Neighbor first mentions Joseph Smith’s presidential run in their paper on February 14, 1844.
- Nauvoo Neighbor publishes minutes from Illinois convention that nominated Joseph Smith for President.
- Nauvoo Neighbor first reports on Joseph Smith’s candidacy for President.
[2]↩︎
On May 6, Joseph chose Sidney Rigdon as his running mate during a meeting of the Council of Fifty. This nomination was unanimously supported by the Council.
- Council of Fifty record includes Sidney Rigdon being supported as Joseph’s VP, electioneering efforts, and discussion on Wisconsin Saints moving to Texas.
[3]↩︎
On February 8, 1844, Wilford Woodruff recorded Joseph Smith saying:
I would not have suffered my name to have been used by my friends on anywise as president of the united States or candidate for that office If I & my friends could have had the privilege of enjoying our religious & civel rights as American Citizen[s] . . . no portion of the government as yet has steped forward for our relief & under view of these things I feel it to be my right & privilege to obtain what influence & power I can lawfully in the United States for the protection of injured innocence & If I loose my life in a good Cause I am willing to be sacrificed on the alter of virtue rightousness & truth, in maintaining the laws & constitution of the United States if need be for the general good of mankind.
- Wilford Woodruff records Joseph Smith’s reasoning for running for President.
[4]↩︎
On March 7, 1844, Woodruff recorded that Joseph said:
As to politics I care but little about the Presidential Chair, I would not give half as much for the office as I would for the one I now hold, but as the world have used the power of Government to oppress & persecute us, it is right for us to use it for the protection of our rights.
- Wilford Woodruff records Joseph Smith’s sermon that included comments on Presidential campaign and views.
[5]↩︎
Joseph supported the United States Constitution, but thought it did not go far enough in protecting people’s rights, especially minority groups. In a sermon on October 15, 1843, his History records him saying:
I am the greatest advocate of the Constitution of the United States there is on the earth. In my feelings I am always ready to die for the protection of the weak and oppressed in their just rights, the only fault I find with the Constitution, is, it is not broad enough to cover the whole ground.
Although it provides that all men shall enjoy religious freedom, yet it does not provide the manner by which that freedom can be preserved, . . . Its sentiments are good, but it provides no means of enforcing them. It has but this one fault; under its provisions . . . those who have the misfortune to be weak or unpopular, are left to the merciless rage of popular fury.
- Joseph Smith’s History account of Joseph’s views of the Constitution.
[6]↩︎
On January 29, 1844, when Joseph agreed to run for president, he said:
Tell the people we have had whig & democrats presidnts long enough we want a Presedint of the Unitd States[;] If I ever get in the presedental chair— I will protect the people in their rights & libe[r]ties
- Willard Richards records Joseph Smith's Presidential nomination, notes some campaign organization details.
[7]↩︎
In an interview with a newspaper editor on July 30, 1843, Joseph expressed his intention to vote for the Whig candidate Henry Clay in the Presidential election. He went so far as to say he might tell the Latter-day Saints to also vote for Clay, despite not wanting to interfere with their politics.
I am a Whig, and I am a Clay man. I am made of Clay, and I am tending to Clay, and I am going to vote for HENRY CLAY; that’s the way I feel. (A laugh) But I won’t interfere with my people, religiously, to affect their votes, though I might to elect CLAY, for he ought to be President.
- Joseph Smith supports Henry Clay for President in interview with David Nye White, reprinted in Alexandria Gazette.
[8]↩︎
Willard Richards drafted a letter that was sent to five potential presidential candidates: Lewis Cass, John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, Richard Mentor Johnson, and Martin Van Buren.
After detailing the Saints’ previous attempts at redress for their sufferings in Missouri, the letter says:
we have judged it wisdom to address you this communication, and Respectfully solicit an immediate, specific & candid reply To what will be your rule of action relative to us, as a people, should fortune favor your ascension to the Chief Magisterey[?] . . . Joseph Smith— In behalf of the church of Jesus christ of Latter Day Saints
- Joseph Smith’s draft letter to the presumptive 1844 Presidential candidates.
- Joseph Smith Papers explain the letters Joseph Smith sent to the presidential candidates in 1843.
[9]↩︎
Henry Clay expressed sympathy, but said he would not make any promises or pledges to help the Saints.
John C. Calhoun did not believe the federal government had the power to interfere in the Saints’ conflicts with Missouri.
Lewis Cass saw no way for the President to help the Saints if Missouri and Congress had already denied them.
[10]↩︎
Joseph Smith’s history records:
At 10 a.m. the Twelve Apostles, together with my brother Hyrum and J P. Green met at the Mayor’s office to take into consideration the proper course for this people to pursue in relation to the coming Presidential Election. The Candidates for the office of President of the United States at present before the people are Martin Van Buren and Henry Clay.
- Joseph Smith is first nominated for the US Presidency.
[11]↩︎
Joseph Smith's History states:
It was therefore moved by Willard Richards and voted unanimously “that we will have an <independent> electoral ticket and that Joseph Smith be a candidate for the next Presidency; and that we use all honorable means in our power to secure his election.”
- Joseph Smith is first nominated for the US Presidency.
[12]↩︎
Joseph Smith and Elias Higbee met with President Martin Van Buren in Washington D.C. After a brief introduction to the President, Joseph records:
he looked upon us with a kind of half frown and said, [“]what can I do? I can do nothing for you,— if I do any thing, I shall come in contact with the whole State of Missouri[“]— But we were not to be intimidated, and demanded a hearing and constitutional rights— Before we left him he promised to reconsider what he had said, and observed that he felt to sympathise with us on account of our sufferings
- Joseph Smith recounts meeting with Martin Van Buren in letter to Hyrum Smith.
[13]↩︎
In an interview with David Nye White on August 29, 1843, Joseph said he had previously voted for William Henry Harrison.
- Joseph Smith supports Henry Clay for President in interview with David Nye White, reprinted in Alexandria Gazette.
[14]↩︎
On August 29, 1843, newspaper editor David Nye White interviewed Joseph, who said:
I am a Whig, and I am a Clay man. I am made of Clay, and I am tending to Clay, and I am going to vote for HENRY CLAY; that’s the way I feel. . . . I have sworn by the eternal gods that I never will vote for a democrat again; . . . It is the meanest, lowest party in all creation. . . . I am a democrat myself. I am a Washington democrat, a Jefferson democrat, a Jackson democrat, and I voted for [William Henry] Harrison, and I am going to vote for Clay.
- Joseph Smith supports Henry Clay for President in interview with David Nye White, reprinted in Alexandria Gazette.
[15]↩︎
Under Joseph's direction, Willard Richards drafted a letter that was sent to the five potential presidential candidates.
All of the candidates were Democrats except for Henry Clay, who was a Whig.
- Joseph Smith’s draft letter to the presumptive 1844 Presidential candidates.
- Joseph Smith Papers explain the letters Joseph Smith sent to the presidential candidates in 1843.
[16]↩︎
In Henry Clay’s response to Joseph, he said:
Should I be a Candidate, I can enter into no engagements, make no promises, give no pledges, to any particular portion of the people of the U. States. If I ever enter into that high office, I must go into it free and unfettered, with no guarantees but such as are to be drawn from my whole life, character and conduct.
It is not inconsistent with this declaration to say, that I have viewed, with a lively interest, the progress of the Latter day Saints; that I have sympathised in their sufferings under injustice, as it appeared to me, what has been inflicted upon them; and that I think, in common with all other Religious Communities, they ought to enjoy the security and protection of the Constitution and the Laws.
- Henry Clay responds to Joseph Smith, won’t pledge to help the Latter-day Saints if elected president.
[17]↩︎
In John C. Calhoun’s response to Joseph, he said:
. . . as [the laws] make no distinction between citizens of different religion creeds, I should make none . . . But, as you refer to the case of Missouri, . . . according to my views, the case does not come within the Jurisdiction of the Federal government, which is one of limited and specific powers.
- John C. Calhoun responds to Joseph Smith, denies to promise to aid the Saints if he is elected president.
[18]↩︎
In Lewis Cass’ response to Joseph, he said:
I think then that the Mormonites should be treated as as all other persons are treated in this Country. . . . if your application for the redress to which you consider yourselves entitled has been, as you say rejected by the constituted authorities of the State of Missouri, and by Congress, I do not see what power, the President of the United States can have over the matter, or how he can interfere in it.
- Lewis Cass responds to Joseph Smith’s letter, stating that the president can’t help the Saints’ situation.
[19]↩︎
Joseph condemned Calhoun’s view that the federal government’s powers were too “limited and specific” to interfere in the Saints’ conflict with the state of Missouri. In his letter, he states:
If the General Government has no power, to re-instate expelled citizens to their rights, there is a monstrous hypocrite fed and fostered from the hard earnings of the people! . . . Why Sir, the power not delegated to the United States, and the States, belongs to the people, and Congress sent to do the people’s business, have all power— and shall fifteen thousand citizens groan in exile? . . . And let me say, that all men who say that Congress has no power to restore and defend the rights of her Citizens, have not the love of the truth abiding in them.
- Joseph Smith responds to John C. Calhoun and condemns his view of the Federal government’s “limited and specific” powers.
[20]↩︎
Joseph Smith met with Hyrum Smith, John P. Green, and the Twelve Apostles in his office to "take into consideration the proper course for this people to pursue in relation to the coming Presidential Election."
The same day Joseph “gave some inst[r]uction concenig [concerning] an address to the people— for Bro Phelps to write.— v[i]ews on the powers & policy of the govmet of United states— &c”
[21]↩︎
W. W. Phelps read Joseph’s views on government during a "political meeting" in the assembly room in Nauvoo where Orson Pratt, John Taylor, and Joseph all spoke. Wilford Woodruff recorded Joseph Smith saying:
I would not have suffered my name to have been used by my friends on anywise as president of the united States or candidate for that office If I & my friends could have had the privilege of enjoying our religious & civel rights as American Citizen[s] even those rights which the Constitution guarantee unto all her Citizens alike. . .
- Joseph Smith journal mentions political meeting where he spoke and had his views on government read publicly for the first time.
- Wilford Woodruff records Joseph Smith’s reasoning for running for President.
[22]↩︎
In an article title "Who Shall Be Our Next President?" the Nauvoo Neighbor first reported their support for Joseph Smith in the presidential election.
One great reason that we have for pursuing our present course is, that at every election we have been made a political target for the filthy demagogues in the country to shoot their loathsome arrows at. . . . We refuse any longer to be thus bedaubed for either party; we tell all such to let their filth flow in its own legitimate channel, for we are sick of the loathsome smell.
- Nauvoo Neighbor first reports on Joseph Smith’s candidacy for President.
[23]↩︎
Joseph Smith’s journal records:
I instructed the 12 to send out a delegation— & investigate the Locations of Californnia & ~~mex~~ oregon & find a good Location where we can remove after the Temple is completed.— & build a city in a day— and have a governme[n]t of our own—— in a hea[l]thy climate—
This expedition to Oregon and California never took place.
[24]↩︎
His journal entry, as penned by Willard Richards, says:
previous to the following meeting— Prest. Smith nominated. <Jas> Arlington Bennet.— vice Prest.
According to the 12th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the president and vice president have to reside in different states. Bennet lived in New York.
[25]↩︎
Willard Richards was under the impression that James Arlington Bennet had been born in Ireland, and thus was ineligible to run for the vice presidency as outlined in the Constitution. Joseph Smith’s journal records that:
This morning at 10 A.M. my scribe. W. Richads called to see me and told me James Arlingtn Bennet was a native of Irland & could not be vice President. and wanted to know who should be the candidate I told him he council with othes— on that point.— said he I will call a council this evenig
Article II of the U.S. Constitution includes the following:
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; . . .
In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President
- Willard Richards mistakenly tells Joseph Smith that James Arlington Bennet was born in Ireland, can’t be his VP.
- Article II of U.S. Constitution.
[26]↩︎
Wilford Woodruff had met Solomon Copeland as a missionary in Tennessee. Though Copeland did not join the Church, he was friendly to the Saints and hosted several missionaries. By 1844, Copeland had served as a county court commissioner and state legislator in Tennessee.
On March 8, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles decided that Woodruff would write to Copeland about being Joseph Smith’s running mate in the election.
On March 10, Woodruff recorded in his journal that he “wrote one letter to Col Solomon Copeland.” His journal also says that he wrote a letter to Copeland on March 19, possibly a revision of the earlier letter.
[27]↩︎
Joseph organized a council to discuss letters from Saints in Pine Country (Black River Falls, Wisconsin Territory) in which they gave a report and asked for advice from the First Presidency. This council met again the next day and was formalized as the "Council of Fifty".
William Clayton later wrote a record of the meeting:
This Council was organized on the strength of the contents of two letters from the brethren in the Pine Country . . . The meeting was prolonged being occupied by several of the brethren speaking their views untill a late hour when upon motion the meeting adjourned untill tomorow at 9 o clock A.M.
- William Clayton's record of first meetings of what became the Council of Fifty on March 10, 1844.
[28]↩︎
The council of men from March 10 met again the following day and was formally organized by Joseph Smith. William Clayton recorded:
The council met in the room over brother Henry W Millers house at 9 o clock A.M. The brethren continued to express their views on the foregoing subjects and many others of importance. All seemed agreed to look to some place where we can go and establish a Theocracy either in Texas or Oregon or somewhere in California &c. The brethren spoke very warmly on the subject, and also on the subject of forming a constitution which shall be according to the mind of God and erect it between the heavens and the earth where all nations might flow unto it.
Texas, Oregon, and California were not yet part of the United States.
- Council of Fifty minutes from March 11, 1844 records official organization and mentions establishing a theocracy.
[29]↩︎
William Clayton records:
it was Resolved to draft a constitution which should be perfect, and embrace those principles which the constitution of the United States lacked, and on motion John Taylor Willard Richards, Wm W. Phelps and Parley P. Pratt were appointed a committee to draft a constitution and present it to this council for their approval or disaproval.
- Council of Fifty minutes addendum includes previous resolution to have a committee draft a constitution superior to the U.S. Constitution.
[30]↩︎
Joseph Smith’s journal records that Lucien Woodworth was “sent out on a Mission.” During a Council of Fifty meeting, Lorenzo D. Wassom said:
We have a man [Woodworth] delegated by this council, now offering to buy Texas. No doubt he is there, endeavoring to negotiate for Texas and are we going to desert him? No.
On May 3, 1844, he reported to the Council on his mission.
[31]↩︎
In the letter dated March 19, 1844, Wilford wrote to Copeland:
[You were] among the first to step back as a gentleman, friend & republican, to assist us in maintaning our rights . . . And sirs the request I wish to make of you is to know if you are willing to permit us to use your name as a candidate for vice president at the next Ele[c]tion & also to invite you to favor us with a visit at Nauvoo I make this requst of your honor according to the Co[u]ncil of the Authorities of the City of Nauvoo, . . .
Wilford Woodruff read the letter to Joseph Smith on March 20, and it was approved by the Council of Fifty on March 21.
According to the Joseph Smith Papers, “no response from Copeland has been located.”
[32]↩︎
At an assembly of Elders in Nauvoo, “a call was made for the Volunteers to go preaching to pass out to the green, a great Company moved out and returned to the right of the stand, and were numbered 244.”
- Joseph Smith’s History notes 244 Elders volunteering to preach and campaign for Joseph.
[33]↩︎
The April 11th. 1844 minutes record that Erastus Snow motioned for the Council to accept Joseph as "Prophet, Priest, and King."
[Erastus Snow] concluded by offering a motion that this honorable assembly receive from this time henceforth and forever, Joseph Smith, as our Prophet, Priest & King, and uphold him in that capacity in which God has anointed him. The motion was seconded and accepted unanimously.
- Council of Fifty minutes from April 11, 1844 morning meeting, includes teachings on theocracy and Joseph being accepted as prophet, priest, and king.
[34]↩︎
The Council of Fifty record says:
Elder Woodworth having returned from his mission, reported that in course of his travels he had visited Galveston in the Texas, and had an interview with President Houston.
. . . I made a proposition to General Houston to give or sell us a tract of land on the Rio Grande. President thought it doubtful whether Congress would grant it. Next day he thought Congress might grant the Saints a tract for a settlement.
. . . I told him if he did agree to give us a tract on which we might institute a government, we might try to get some other grant and assist them in their government.
. . . I think annexation will not take place, and if not I believe a tract of land may be obtained gratis, if our people are a mind to go there.
- Council of Fifty minutes for May 3, 1844, records Joseph Smith calling for all able men to electioneer and Lucien Woodworth’s report on Texas and meeting with Sam Houston.
[35]↩︎
Upon hearing Woodworth’s report, Joseph and others suggested having some Saints move to Texas.
The chairman [Joseph Smith] suggested to select 50 men aside from this council and organize them. Give each man his stint, to convert his equal in Texas at Galveston, and assist them in organizing a good government. . . .
Er George Miller suggested that the best plan would be to throw a population into Texas. . . . Let them mix with the people, or enjoy their own society as they find most convenient. . . .
Er Hyrum Smith thought the first move ought to be to get a grant of land on which to colonize the poor of England &c. and the fame thereof will go abroad as a place of rest and safety, and the people may gather.
- Council of Fifty minutes for May 3, 1844, records Joseph Smith calling for all able men to electioneer and Lucien Woodworth’s report on Texas and meeting with Sam Houston.
[36]↩︎
Sidney Rigdon was not Joseph’s first choice of a vice presidential running mate.
On March 4, 1844, Joseph chose James Arlington Bennet of New York to be his running mate, but a misunderstanding about his birthplace led to the offer being retracted.
Joseph then chose Solomon Copeland of Tennessee. Wilford Woodruff wrote a letter to Copeland about the vice presidency, which was read to Joseph on March 20. There is no known response from Copeland.
On May 6, Joseph chose Sidney Rigdon as his running mate during a meeting of the Council of Fifty. This nomination was unanimously supported by the Council.
In order to follow the 12th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which required the president and vice president to be from different states, Rigdon was to move to Pennsylvania.
[37]↩︎
Joseph had previously planned to vote for Henry Clay before entering the presidential race himself.
Though Clay expressed sympathy in his letter, he declined to promise to help the Saints. In response, Joseph wrote a long, scathing rebuke, which was printed in the Nauvoo Neighbor.
Blind charity and dumb justice never do much towards alleviating the wants of the needy, but, straws show which way the wind blows.
. . . for the glory of America has departed, and God will set a flaming sword to guard the tree of liberty, while such mint-tithing Herods as Van Buren, Boggs, Benton, Calhoun and Clay, are thrust out of the realms of virtue as fit subjects for the kingdom of fallen greatness;
. . . I hate the imbecility of american statesmen; I detest the shrinkage of candidates for office, from pledges and responsibility; I long for a day of righteousness, when he, “whose right it is to reign, shall judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth,” and I pray God, who hath given our fathers a promise of a perfect government in the last days, to purify the hearts of the people and hasten the welcome day.
Clay had recently been nominated as the Whig Party's candidate for president.
[38]↩︎
On May 17, 1844, an Illinois state convention assembled in Nauvoo and nominated Joseph Smith as their candidate for President and Sidney Rigdon for Vice President.
- Nauvoo Neighbor publishes minutes from Illinois convention that nominated Joseph Smith for President.
[39]↩︎
Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith were killed by a mob in Carthage Jail on June 27, 1844.
- The Nauvoo Neighbor Extra reports on the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, June 27, 1844.
[40]↩︎
At the Nauvoo convention on May 17, William G. Goforth said that the delegates should nominate Henry Clay at the national convention if there is an insufficient number to nominate Joseph:
May we now say that in 1844—JOSEPH SMITH the proclaimer of Jefferson Democracy, of Free trade and Sailors rights and protection of Person and Property with us stands first to the Baltimore convention, (and if his want of success in the nomination exists instruct our delegates to say Henry Clay)
Despite this, the delegates at the Baltimore convention made “no movement on the Presidential question.”
- Nauvoo Neighbor publishes minutes from Illinois convention that nominated Joseph Smith for President.
- Baltimore Sun reports on Mormon Convention not nominating a presidential candidate after Joseph Smith’s death.
[41]↩︎
At the January 29, 1844 meeting where the presidential campaign began Joseph Smith said:
Tell the people we have had whig & democrats presidents long enough...
- Willard Richards records Joseph Smith's Presidential nomination, notes some campaign organization details.
- Hyrum Smith speaks on Joseph Smith's presidential campaign, allegiance to no party.
[42]↩︎
Joseph Smith’s views were published in a pamphlet titled General Smith’s Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States.
The same day that Joseph was first nominated to run for President, January 29, 1844, he met with W. W. Phelps. Joseph's journal states that he:
gave some inst[r]uction concenig [concerning] an address to the people— for Bro Phelps to write.— v[i]ews on the powers & policy of the govmet [government] of United states— &c
On February 5, Joseph “heard read my vi[e]ws of the gen[eral] Governm[en]t.” The printed edition of General Smith’s Views is dated February 7, 1844.
[43]↩︎
At a rally in July 1844, American politician Delazon Smith defined “Jeffersonian Democracy”:
Let us then first inquire what is Jeffersonian democracy, by which the men of both parties profess to be willing to try the present chief magistrate of the nation.
. . . [Thomas Jefferson] declared . . . that all men were created free and equal, and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, amongst which were life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. He declared that only was a just government, which derived its authority from the whole mass of the community, over whom it exercised its sway, and that its blessings and privileges should, like the gentle dew of heaven, descend equally upon all.
. . . [Jefferson] denounced all attempts at monopoly, aristocracy, centralization of the government, and unsafe preponderance of monied power.
- Delazon Smith explains principles of Jeffersonian Democracy in speech supporting John Tyler for President.
[44]↩︎
The Council of Fifty accepted this phrase as the official slogan of the campaign on April 11, 1844.
On May 22, the Nauvoo Neighbor printed the resolutions passed at the Illinois state convention.
5 Resolved—That the better to carry out the principles of liberty and equal rights Jeffersonian Democracy free trade and Sailors, rights and the protection of person and property we will support General Joseph Smith of Illinois for the Presidency of the United States at the ensuing election.
The Neighbor also reported that after the convention ended:
a barrel of tar which had been prepared was set fire to, and the names of Gen. Smith, and Sidney Rigdon, free trade and sailor's rights, and Jeffersonian democracy were repeated with universal acclamation, until the sound re-verberated from hill-top to hill-top.
- Council of Fifty minutes from April 11, 1844 morning meeting, includes teachings on theocracy and Joseph being accepted as prophet, priest, and king.
- Nauvoo Neighbor publishes minutes from Illinois convention that nominated Joseph Smith for President.
[45]↩︎
Historian Spencer McBride explained the context of the campaign slogan in his book, Joseph Smith for President:
Each of these phrases already existed in the American political lexicon. Most were associated to some degree with individual liberties. For example, “Free trade and Sailors’ Rights” had been a patriotic rallying cry for Americans during the War of 1812 but had since evolved into a generic and malleable phrase denoting personal liberty. And that seemed to be at the heart of such a clunky and unwieldy campaign slogan. Smith and the Mormons were promoting the kind of patriotic liberty associated with celebratory accounts of the country’s past.
- Spencer McBride explains Joseph Smith’s campaign slogan.
[46]↩︎
Joseph’s campaign pamphlet proposed emancipating enslaved people by compensating enslavers with money gained from the sale of public lands and the reduction of Congress’ pay and size.
Slavery was the first issue mentioned in Joseph’s campaign pamphlet. It begins:
Born in a land of liberty, and breathing an air uncorrupted with the sirocco of barbarous climes, I ever feel a double anxiety for the happiness of all men, both in time and in eternity. My cogitations like Daniel’s, have for a long time troubled me, when I viewed the condition of men throughout the world, and more especially in this boasted realm, where the Declaration of Independence “holds these truths to be self evident; that all men are created equal . . .” but at the same time, some two or three millions of people are held as slaves for life, because the spirit in them is covered with a darker skin than ours. . .
- Joseph Smith’s presidential campaign pamphlet explaining his views.
[47]↩︎
James G. Birney was the Liberty Party’s candidate in the 1844 presidential election, running on a platform of abolition. The New York Herald reported that “If the Liberty men go on as they talk of, Joe Smith had need to look sharp. The next contest will be a “whapper.”
- New York Herald says Joseph Smith has no chance of winning the Presidential election.
- New York Herald reports that Joseph Smith will have to compete with the abolitionist Liberty Party.
[48]↩︎
Joseph supported the annexation of Texas and any other territory that wanted to join the United States.
The annexation of Texas was among the many contested issues of the 1844 election. Adding Texas would greatly impact the ongoing political battle regarding the expansion of slavery in the United States.
Regarding this issue, Joseph said on March 7, 1844:
They object to Texas on account of slavery; why it is the very reason she ought to be received, so that we may watch over them; for of the two evils we should reject the greatest. . . . As soon as Texas was annexed, I would liberate the slaves in two or three States, indemnifying their owners, and send the Negroes to Texas, and from Texas to Mexico, where all colors are alike.
[49]↩︎
His pamphlet also states that:
hundreds of our own kindred for an infraction, or supposed infraction of some over-wise statute, have to be incarcerated in dungeon glooms, or suffer the more moral penitentiary gravitation of mercy in a nut-shell, while the duellist, the debauchee, and the defaulter for millions, and other criminals, take the uppermost rooms at feasts, or, like the bird of passage find a more congenial clime by flight.
. . . .banish imprisonment for debt, and be in love, fellowship and peace with all the world!
. . . Abolish the cruel custom of prisons, (except certain cases,) penitentiaries, and court-martials for desertion; and let reason and friendship reign over the ruins of ignorance and barbarity; yea I would, as the universal friend of man, open the prisons;
- Joseph Smith’s presidential campaign pamphlet explaining his views.
[50]↩︎
In response to Joseph’s campaign pamphlet, the March 14, 1844 issue of the Daily Globe commented on its similarities with the Whigs’ stance on a national bank:
The prophet seems to be thoroughly imbued with the whig financial doctrines. He wants a national bank for the “accommodation of the people,” and to save the federal and State treasuries from taxation. In two respects, however, we think Joe’s plan has decided advantages over those of Messrs. Clay and Webster. He sticks to the specie basis, dollar for dollar; and his plan is more economical, as the officers are to be elected by the people, “with wages at the rate of two dollars per day.”
The paper also jokingly remarks:
After this, won’t Mr. Botts give way, and let General Smith be the whig candidate for the vice presidency?
- Daily Globe comments on Joseph Smith’s support for a national bank and similarity to the Whig party.
- Joseph Smith’s presidential campaign pamphlet explaining his views.
[51]↩︎
Joseph proposed that the money saved from reducing the size and pay of Congress would go towards freeing slaves.
Pray Congress to pay every man a reasonable price for his slaves out of the surplus revenue arising from the sale of public lands, and from the deduction of pay from the members of Congress.
- Joseph Smith’s presidential campaign pamphlet explaining his views.
[52]↩︎
Joseph’s pamphlet highlights his view that the President should have power in situations like the Saints’ troubles in Missouri.
Lewis Cass had written back to Joseph, saying that the President did not have the power to intervene in the Saints’ troubles in Missouri. John C. Calhoun said the same about the federal government.
In his response to Calhoun, Joseph connected Calhoun’s views to what President Martin Van Buren had told him in 1839: “though the cause is ever so just, government can do nothing for them, because it has no power.”
Joseph ended his response to Calhoun by saying he hoped God would raise Calhoun’s mind to “the sublime idea that Congress, with the president as executor, is as Almighty in its sphere as Jehovah is in his.”
[53]↩︎
References to God in Joseph Smith’s pamphlet, General Smith’s Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States (1/2):
. . . that they are endowed by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights; . . .
. . . for the best of books says, “God hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth.”
. . . light, liberty and loyalty flourish like the cedars of God.
. . . who restrained from offering his vows in the mode in which he prefers, to the Divine Author of his being?
Certainly there is a God in heaven to reveal secrets.
. . . turn unto the Lord and live; and reform this nation. Frustrate the designs of wicked men.
- Joseph Smith’s presidential campaign pamphlet explaining his views.
[54]↩︎
References to God in Joseph Smith’s pamphlet, continued (2/2):
. . . pardon every convict in their several penitentiaries: blessing them as they go, and saying to them in the name of the Lord, go thy way and sin no more.
. . . and the whole nation, like a kingdom of kings and priests, will rise up with righteousness: and be respected as wise and worthy on earth: and as just and holy for heaven, by Jehovah the author of perfection.
. . . let the people of the whole union, like the inflexible Romans, whenever they find a promise made by a candidate, that is not practised as an officer, hurl the miserable sycophant from his exaltation, as God did Nebuchadnezzar, . . .
Great God, how independent!
. . . and God, who once cleansed the violence of the earth with a flood; whose Son laid down his life for the salvation . . .
- Joseph Smith’s presidential campaign pamphlet explaining his views.
[55]↩︎
Joseph’s campaign pamphlet concludes:
I would, as the universal friend of man, open the prisons; open the eyes; open the ears and open the hearts of all people, to behold and enjoy freedom, unadulterated freedom: and God, who once cleansed the violence of the earth with a flood; whose Son laid down his life for the salvation of all his father gave him out of the world; and who has promised that he will come and purify the world again with fire in the last days, should be supplicated by me for the good of all people.
- Joseph Smith’s presidential campaign pamphlet explaining his views.
[56]↩︎
Joseph’s journal entry for October 15, 1843 says:
It is one of the first principles of my life. & one that I have cultivated from my childhood. having been taught it of my father. to allow eve[r]y one the libe[r]ty of conscience. I am the greatest advocate of the C[onstitution] of U.S. there is there on the earth. in my feeling <the> only fault I can find with it is it is not broad enough to cover the whole ground.
- Joseph Smith’s journal mentions his advocacy of US Constitution, finds fault in its broadness.
- Joseph Smith’s History account of Joseph’s views of the Constitution.
[57]↩︎
During a speech on February 8, 1844, Joseph Smith said:
I would not have suffered my name to have been used by my friends on anywise as president of the united States or candidate for that office If I & my friends could have had the privilege of enjoying our religious & civel rights as American Citizen[s]
- Wilford Woodruff records Joseph Smith’s reasoning for running for President.
[58]↩︎
During a meeting of the Council of Fifty on April 11, 1844, Joseph Smith taught:
There is only two or three things lacking in the constitution of the United States. If they had said all men ~~all~~ born equal, and not only that but they shall have their rights, they shall be free, or the armies of the government should be compelled to enforce those principles of liberty. . . . Only cloth[e] the officers of government with the power of free tolerance and compel them to exercise and enforce those principles and we have what we want.
- Joseph Smith teaches about religious tolerance during afternoon meeting of the Council of Fifty, April 11, 1844.
[59]↩︎
A group called the Council of Fifty was officially organized on March 11, 1844. William Clayton’s record for that day says:
The brethren continued to express their views on the foregoing subjects and many others of importance. All seemed agreed to look to some place where we can go and establish a Theocracy either in Texas or Oregon or somewhere in California &c. The brethren spoke very warmly on the subject, and also on the subject of forming a constitution which shall be according to the mind of God and erect it between the heavens and the earth where all nations might flow unto it. This was considered as a “standard” to the people an ensign to the nations &c.
Texas, Oregon, and California were not territories of the United States at the time.
- Council of Fifty minutes from March 11, 1844 records official organization and mentions establishing a theocracy.
[60]↩︎
When the Council of Fifty met on April 11, 1844, Sidney Rigdon explained that:
The design was to form a Theocracy according to the will of Heaven, planted without any intention to interfere with any government of the world. We wish to have nothing to do with them. We have no violence to offer to governments, no rights to infringe. The object is to live so far above their laws that they cannot interfere with us, unless by violence. We will hunt a spot somewhere on the earth where no other government has jurisdiction and cannot interfere with us and there plant our standard. You need not fear that we design to trample on the rights of any man or set of men, only to seek the enjoyment of our own rights.
- Council of Fifty minutes from April 11, 1844 morning meeting, includes teachings on theocracy and Joseph being accepted as prophet, priest, and king.
[61]↩︎
During a meeting of the Council of Fifty on April 11, 1844, it was motioned that Joseph join the committee that was drafting a theocratic constitution. Joseph said he would not, but would improve upon the constitution the committee created through their best efforts. William Clayton then recorded that:
[Joseph] had considered that a Theocracy consisted in our exercising all the intelligence of the council, and bringing forth all the light which dwells in the breast of every man, and then let God approve of the document & receiveing the sanction of the council it becomes a law. Theocracy as he understands it is, for the people to get the voice of God and then acknowledge it, and see it executed.
. . . [“]I know I can get the voice of God on the subject. Vox populi, Vox Dei. The voice of the people assenting to the voice of God.[“]
- Council of Fifty minutes addendum includes previous resolution to have a committee draft a constitution superior to the U.S. Constitution.
- Council of Fifty minutes from April 11, 1844 morning meeting, includes teachings on theocracy and Joseph being accepted as prophet, priest, and king.
[62]↩︎
On April 11, 1844, Joseph told the Council of Fifty:
God cannot save or damn a man only on the principle that every man acts, chooses and worships for himself; hence the importance of thrusting from us every spirit of bigotry and intollerance towards a mans religious sentiments, . . . Hence in all governments or political transactions a mans religious opinions should never be called in question. A man should be judged by the law independant of religious prejudice, hence we want in our constitution those laws which would require all its officers to administer justice without any regard to his religious opinions, or thrust him from his office.
- Joseph Smith teaches about religious tolerance during afternoon meeting of the Council of Fifty, April 11, 1844.
[63]↩︎
Joseph was an advocate of religious freedom. On March 1, 1841, Joseph Smith introduced an ordinance to protect all religions during a meeting of the Nauvoo City Council. It passed and was approved by Mayor John C. Bennett.
Sec. 1. Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Nauvoo, That the Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Latter-Day-Saints, Quakers, Episcopalieans Universalits Unitarians, Mahommedans, and all other religious sects and denominations whatever, shall have free toleration and equal Privilieges in this city, and should any person be guilty of ridiculing abusing, or otherwise depreciating another in consequence of his religion or of disturbing, or interrupting any religious meeting. within the Limits of this city, he shall on conviction thereof, before the Mayor or Municipal Court be considered a disturber of the public peace, and fined in any Sum not exceeding five hundred Dollars, or imprisoned not exceeding six months, or both at the discretion of said Mayor, or Court.
- Joseph Smith introduces city ordinance protecting religious freedom during Nauvoo City Council meeting.
[64]↩︎
The Council of Fifty discussed Joseph's campaign slogan, organized electioneering efforts, approved the Vice Presidential candidate, and planned the national convention in Baltimore.
[65]↩︎
In the same meeting where Joseph's campaign slogan was approved, the Council of Fifty also discussed the drafting of the constitution for their theocracy that would be "planted without any intention to interfere with any government of the world."
- Council of Fifty minutes from April 11, 1844 morning meeting, includes teachings on theocracy and Joseph being accepted as prophet, priest, and king.
[66]↩︎
However, a late account by George Miller in 1855, who had previously been excommunicated, says that the primary goal was the election.
Miller, who was once part of the Council of Fifty, said that if Joseph was elected, “the dominion of the kingdom would be forever established in the United States; and if not successful, we could fall back on Texas, and be a kingdom notwithstanding.”
On May 6, 1844, the Council of Fifty minutes record Lyman Wight and George Miller proposing that the Wisconsin Saints at the pinery be able to move to Texas. Joseph “suggested the propriety of those families going to the Texas.” The Council supported the decision for the Wisconsin Saints “in the pine country be committed to the council of Ers Wight, Woodworth and Miller.”
- George Miller writes to his brother about Joseph Smith’s Presidential campaign and a proposed alliance with Texas.
- Council of Fifty record includes Sidney Rigdon being supported as Joseph’s VP and discussion on Wisconsin Saints moving to Texas.
[67]↩︎
This memorial, dated December 21, 1843, includes several provisions, including:
. . . that all the rights powers privileges and immunities belonging to Territories and not repugnant to the Constitution of the United States, are hereby granted and secured to the Inhabitants of the City of Nauvoo in addition to the Spirit letter and meaning and provisions of the aforementioned [Nauvoo City] Charter . . .
. . . that the Mayor of Nauvoo, be and he is hereby empowered, by this consent of the President of the United States, whenever the actual necessity of the case, and the public safety shall require it, to call to his aid a sufficient number of United States forces, in connection with the Nauvoo Legion, to repel the invasion of mobs, keep the public peace, and protect the innocent . . .
- Nauvoo City Council’s memorial to congress asking for powers of a federal territory and aid of federal troops.
[68]↩︎
Joseph believed this would help them form their own independent government. On April 18, 1844, the minutes for the Council of Fifty, record:
The chairman [Joseph Smith] said in relation to Nauvoo, that if we can accomplish our object it places us on a firm and strong footing, because if we have the sanction of Congress to our Charter it will make us an independant government. It will set us everlastingly free, and give us the United States troops to guard us and protect us from any invasion.
- Joseph Smith teaches that the Kingdom of God is distinct from the Church of God during a meeting of the Council of Fifty on April 18, 1844.
[69]↩︎
This memorial, dated March 26, 1844, includes several provisions, including:
. . . that Joseph Smith of the City of Nauvoo, in the State of Illinois, is hereby authorized and empowered to raise a Company of one hundred thousand armed volunteers, in the United States and Territories at such times and places, and in such numbers, as he shall find necessary and convenient for the purposes of specified in the foregoing preamble; and to execute the same.
- Memorial sent to Congress to authorize Joseph Smith to command 100,000 armed volunteers to protect U.S. territories.
[70]↩︎
The Brooklyn Evening Star said that the memorial was read to Congress with “a great deal of amusement,” but was not acted on. The New York Herald reported it was read to the House of Representatives “amid roars of laughter.”
- Brooklyn Evening Star reports that Joseph Smith’s petition to Congress was read but not acted on, compares Joseph to Martin Van Buren.
- New York Herald reports that Congress laughed at Joseph Smith’s petition to lead 100,000 armed volunteers.
[71]↩︎
Joseph wanted government protection until the Saints, and their new government, were strong enough to protect themselves. Speaking of the memorials sent to Congress, Joseph said (emphasis added):
if we have the sanction of Congress to our Charter it will make us an independant government [in Nauvoo]. It will set us everlastingly free, and give us the United States troops to guard us and protect us from any invasion. Perhaps it is not necessary that we should go to Texas, it is necessary that we should establish independant governments there. We consider ourselves the head, and Washington the tail. We can make laws and send them abroad and not say anything to them about it, untill we get ourselves firmly set beyond their power. I have no disposition to go to Texas, but here is Lyman Wight wants to go; and if we can get our petition granted he will go and raise volunteers, and go and protect Texas. We must use policy. We can go on and have our laws and call it a part of our religion and they cannot interfere untill we get strong enough to protect ourselves.
- Joseph Smith teaches that the Kingdom of God is distinct from the Church of God during a meeting of the Council of Fifty on April 18, 1844.
[72]↩︎
Historian Spencer McBride writes:
That Mormon leaders believed Smith could win the presidency did not necessarily mean that they believed he would win. It was merely one possible avenue through which they believed divine providence could work to restore the United States to its privileged place in God’s grand plan for the world and to help the Saints reclaim their promised land of Zion. . . . Still, as the intent of the Council of Fifty was to “leave nothing wanting” on its part where the election was concerned, council members simultaneously planned for other contingencies, working out an array of potential paths to the building up of the kingdom of God on earth, a kingdom that they believed they were destined to lead.
- Spencer McBride writes that Joseph Smith ran for President as more than just a protest candidate.
[73]↩︎
By the last meeting, the Council was composed of 54 members. Joseph Smith was the Council’s “Standing Chairman,” with William Clayton as clerk and Willard Richards as recorder.
All but one of the Twelve Apostles were part of the Council of Fifty during Joseph’s lifetime: Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt, William Smith, Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith, Willard Richards, Lyman Wight, and Amasa Lyman.
Apostle John E. Page was not added to the Council until March 1, 1845.
- Members of the Council of Fifty prior to Joseph Smith’s death, as recorded by William Clayton.
- Council of Fifty adds several new members on March 1, 1845, including John D. Lee, John E. Page, and Lewis Dana.
[74]↩︎
The Council was officially organized on March 11, 1844. William Clayton’s record for that day says:
The brethren continued to express their views on the foregoing subjects and many others of importance. All seemed agreed to look to some place where we can go and establish a Theocracy either in Texas or Oregon or somewhere in California &c. The brethren spoke very warmly on the subject, and also on the subject of forming a constitution which shall be according to the mind of God and erect it between the heavens and the earth where all nations might flow unto it. This was considered as a “standard” to the people an ensign to the nations &c.
- Council of Fifty minutes from March 11, 1844 records official organization and mentions establishing a theocracy.
[75]↩︎
The first meeting of what became the Council of Fifty took place on March 10, 1844 after Joseph Smith received two letters from Church members in Wisconsin Territory who had been providing lumber for the construction of the Nauvoo Temple and Nauvoo House.
A committee of the Wisconsin Saints believed they would soon “accomplish the mission on which we started to this country” and proposed relocating to Texas with certain Native American tribes who reportedly had “great anxiety to receive the Gospel and the book of Mormon.”
The second letter states:
We therefore believe that no person embracing the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, should give any part or parcel of their property without a direct council written or oral from the first Presidency of the Church.
The Council read and discussed the letters, with Clayton noting the “union of feeling which prevailed on the subject.”
- William Clayton's record of first meetings of what became the Council of Fifty on March 10, 1844.
[76]↩︎
The Council of Fifty’s draft constitution says:
To fulfil the predictions of the prophets to establish a pure government; to lift up an ensign to the nations, and establish a standard for all people, that the strength, and the power, and the glory, and the exaltation, and the kingdom, and the dominion under the whole heavens, may become the kingdom of our God and of his Christ, as has been predicted by all the holy prophets since the world began, to be brought to pass on the earth in the last days;
. . . We have supplicated the great I am, that he would make known his will unto his servants, concerning this, his last kingdom, and the law, by which his people shall be governed. . .
- Draft of the constitution of the Kingdom of God, as recorded in the Council of Fifty record.
[77]↩︎
In the Council of Fifty's meetings, the prophecies of Daniel were often mentioned in discussions about the Kingdom of God. The Council's record states:
[Sidney Rigdon] contrasted the forms of the government of the different nations with that which God design’d to establish as spoken of by the prophet Daniel.
. . . Er Orson Hyde followed Er Rigdon. He gave a spirited view of the glorious prospects awaiting the people of God, and the certainty that God will establish his kingdom according to the predictions of Daniel. He expressed his utmost delight in the in the work of God and his determination to abide true and faithful.
. . . Er Erastus Snow referred to some of the remarks of Er O. Hyde and then to the image spoken of by Daniel especially to the toes of the image, showing that as the Iron would not mix with the clay no more would the principles of eternal truth mix with the dogma’s of Sectarianism, nor the principles of the kingdom of God amalgamate with the injustice and oppression of the kingdoms of the world.
- Council of Fifty members refer to prophecies in the book of Daniel in a meeting on March 19, 1844.
[78]↩︎
The “predictions of Daniel” referred to is Daniel 2:39–45.
Verse 44 says:
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
[79]↩︎
William Clayton’s record of the Council’s meeting on March 14, 1844 says:
The name of the council was discussed and the Lord was pleased to give the following Revelation; “Verily thus saith the Lord, this is the name by which you shall be called, The Kingdom of God and his Laws, with the keys and power thereof, and judgement in the hands of his servants. Ahman Christ.”
- Council of Fifty minutes from March 14, 1844, includes official name of the council.
[80]↩︎
During a meeting on March 21, 1844:
The standing chairman [Joseph Smith] arose to move that brother James Emmett be sent on a mission to the Lamanites to instruct them to unite together and cease their enmity towards each other, to & to be diligent and faithful for that would be pleasing in the sight of our heavenly father.
. . . Er Willard Richards moved that the Elders who are sent out by this council, begin their operations & preach from the time they leave this council untill they return.
. . . Prest. J. Smith motioned that Er Erastus Snow have a mission appointed him to Vermont which was seconded by Er B Young and carried unanimously.
- Council of Fifty minutes from meeting on March 21, 1844, council approves petition to Congress and discusses missionary efforts.
[81]↩︎
In a meeting on April 18, 1844, Joseph said:
There is a distinction between the Church of God and kingdom of God. The laws of the kingdom are not designed to effect our salvation hereafter. It is an entire, distinct and separate government. The church is a spiritual matter and a spiritual kingdom; but the kingdom which Daniel saw was not a spiritual kingdom, but was designed to be got up for the safety and salvation of the saints by protecting them in their religious rights and worship. . . . The literal kingdom of God, and the church of God are two distinct things. The gifts of prophets, evangelists &c never were designed to govern men in civil matters. The kingdom of God has nothing to do with giving commandments to damn a man spiritually. It only has power to make a man amenable to his fellow man.
- Joseph Smith teaches that the Kingdom of God is distinct from the Church of God during a meeting of the Council of Fifty on April 18, 1844.
[82]↩︎
The Council of Fifty discussed Joseph's campaign slogan, organized electioneering efforts, approved the Vice Presidential candidate, and planned the national convention in Baltimore.
[83]↩︎
After hearing Joseph speak in the Council meeting on April 11, 1844, Erastus Snow stood and said that “he feels this to be the happiest moment he ever enjoyed.” Clayton’s minutes also record the following from Snow:
It may yet be said that we are still laying the foundation of a great work, and I am happy that I have the privilege of associating with our beloved prophet and the members of this council, and prays that I may live as long as Moses[.] He said he never rejoiced as much as he did to day when Prest. Joseph was making his remarks. He concluded by offering a motion that this honorable assembly receive from this time henceforth and forever, Joseph Smith, as our Prophet, Priest & King, and uphold him in that capacity in which God has anointed him. The motion was seconded and accepted unanimously.
- Council of Fifty minutes from April 11, 1844 morning meeting, includes teachings on theocracy and Joseph being accepted as prophet, priest, and king.
[84]↩︎
At the beginning of the meeting on April 11, Sidney Rigdon said that they "had chosen our beloved Prest. Joseph Smith as our standing chairman, and our mouth between us and our God."
Then, when discussing the creation of a constitution, the Council’s record says that W. W. Phelps:
went on to prove from the scriptures that Prest. Joseph is the man chosen of God to bring to pass the establishment of the kingdom of God. If after all our labors we should not be able to get what we want we will then call upon our head.
Shortly after Phelps' remarks, Erastus Snow motioned for the Council to receive Joseph as Prophet, Priest, and King.
- Council of Fifty minutes from April 11, 1844 morning meeting, includes teachings on theocracy and Joseph being accepted as prophet, priest, and king.
[85]↩︎
The drafted constitution presented to the Council of Fifty included three articles:
Art. 1st. I Am, the Lord thy God, ruleing the armies of heaven above, and among the nations of the earth beneath; . . . I alone am King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; . . .
Art. 2nd. I the Lord will do nothing but what I have revealed or shall reveal unto my servants the prophets and I have appointed one man, holding the keys and authority, pertaining to my holy priesthood, to whom I will reveal my laws, my statutes, my ordinances, my Judgements, my will and pleasure concerning my kingdom on the earth.
Art. 3rd. And my Servant and Prophet whom I have called and chosen shall have power to appoint Judges and officers in my kingdom, And my people shall have the right to choose or refuse those officers and judges, by common consent: And the judges who shall be approved by my people shall condemn the guilty, and let the innocent go free!
- Draft of the constitution of the Kingdom of God, as recorded in the Council of Fifty record.
[86]↩︎
The draft constitution for the kingdom of God was read to the Council of Fifty on April 18, 1844, and then amended by Joseph Smith.
On April 25, the constitution was abandoned and Joseph received a revelation. The Council minutes record:
The chairman then made some further remarks and advised that we let the constitution alone. He would tell us the whole matter about the constitution as follows—
Verily thus saith the Lord, yea are my constitution, and I am your God, and ye are my spokesmen. From henceforth do as I shall command you. Saith the Lord.
Er Rigdon motioned that the constitution be received and the vote was unanimous, whereupon the council adjourned “sine die”
[87]↩︎
On April 18, 1844, Joseph said:
It is not wisdom to use the term “king” all the while. Let us use the term “proper source” instead of “king” and it will be all understood and no person can take advantage. A man can preach through all the world and use words which the devil cannot detect.
- Joseph Smith teaches that the Kingdom of God is distinct from the Church of God during a meeting of the Council of Fifty on April 18, 1844.
[88]↩︎
On the day of Joseph’s nomination, Willard Richard recorded him saying:
Tell the people we have had whig & democrats presidnts long enough we want a Presedint of the Unitd States If I ever get in the presedental [presidential] chair— I will protect the people in their rights & libe[r]ties . . . There is oretory enough in the church to carry me into the presdntial chair th[e] fi[r]st slide
In a meeting with the Council of Fifty, William Clayton recorded Joseph planning part of his campaign:
[He said] Let us have delegates in all the electoral districts and hold a national convention at Baltimore. He also suggested that the easiest and the best way to accomplish the object in view is to make an effort to secure the election at this contest.
- Willard Richards records Joseph Smith's Presidential nomination, notes some campaign organization details.
- Council of Fifty minutes includes planning for Joseph’s campaign and a revelation on the Kingdom of God’s constitution.
[89]↩︎
William Clayton’s minutes of the Council of Fifty summarized Joseph saying:
He wanted Elder Wight and every other man who could leave, to go into all the States and preach and electioneer for him to be president. And when he is president we can send out ministers plenipotentiary, who will . . .
Josiah Quincy recalled a conversation he had with Joseph about his campaign on May 15, 1844 in Nauvoo:
he told us what he would do, were he President of the United States, and went on to mention that he might one day so hold the balance between parties as to render his election to that office by no means unlikely.
- Council of Fifty minutes for May 3, 1844, records Joseph Smith calling for all able men to electioneer and Lucien Woodworth’s report on Texas and meeting with Sam Houston.
- Josiah Quincy recounts his conversation with Joseph Smith about politics and his presidential campaign.
[90]↩︎
Willard Richards wrote to James Arlington Bennet on June 20, 1844, that:
We will gain popularity and external influence, but this is not all, we mean to elect him, and nothing shall be wanting on our part to accomplish it. And why? Because we are satisfied, fully satisfied, that this is the best or only method of saving our free institutions from a total overthrow.
In a meeting of the Council of Fifty, Sidney Rigdon states that Joseph would be president of the United States, and he (Sidney) the next:
Er Rigdon asked the privilege,— after Joseph had been President 4 years, that he should be president the next term which was granted, and he stated that as the Lord God lives Joseph shall be President next term and I will follow him.
- Willard Richards writes to James Arlington Bennet of the intention to have Joseph Smith elected as President.
- Council of Fifty record includes Sidney Rigdon being supported as Joseph’s VP, electioneering efforts, and discussion on Wisconsin Saints moving to Texas.
[91]↩︎
On April 9, 1844, Brigham Young expressed optimism for the campaign when he said:
We are acquainted with the views of Gen. Smith; the Democrats and Whigs and all factions. It is now time to have a President of the United States. Elders will be sent to preach the gospel and electioneer; the Government belongs to God; no man can draw the dividing line between the Government of God, and the Government of the children of men. You can’t touch the Gospel without infringing upon the common avocations of men; they may have helps and governments in Church, but it is all one at last.
- Brigham Young says the governments of God and of men should be connected.
[92]↩︎
Historian Spencer McBride wrote that:
The Council of Fifty minutes reveal that Smith was more than a protest candidate—that is, that he and other Church leaders viewed an electoral triumph as possible, even if unlikely. . . . they appear to have believed that his candidacy would ultimately require some form of divine intervention in order to succeed.
- Spencer McBride writes that Joseph Smith ran for President as more than just a protest candidate.
[93]↩︎
Addressing a large assembly of Elders on April 9, 1844, Heber C. Kimball called for volunteers to serve missions to “electioneer for Joseph to be the next President.” Immediately, 244 men volunteered.
As published in the Times and Seasons, the elders were to:
preach the truth in righteousness, and present before the people “General Smith’s views of the power and policy of the General Government;” and seek diligently to get up electors who will go for him for the presidency. All the elders will be faithful in preaching the gospel in its simplicity, and beauty, in all meekness, humility, long suffering and prayerfulness; and the Twelve will devote the season to travelling, and will attend as many conferences as possible.
- Joseph Smith’s History notes 244 Elders volunteering to preach and campaign for Joseph.
- Times and Seasons reports names of elders who will campaign for Joseph Smith.
[94]↩︎
On May 17, 1844, an Illinois state convention met in Nauvoo and nominated Joseph Smith as their candidate for President and Sidney Rigdon for Vice President. The convention also chose delegates for the national convention to be held in Baltimore on July 13, 1844.
Before word of Joseph’s death on June 27, 1844 reached some of the apostles, a state convention was held in Massachusetts on July 1 that nominated Joseph and Sidney, as well as delegates for the national convention.
[95]↩︎
The Niles’ National Register believed that Joseph’s supporters were determined to elect him.
The fact that the Mormons entertained a serious determination to make their prophet a prominent candidate for political power is inferred, not only from their hoisting their presidential flag at the head of all their recent publications . . . and from their calling conventions, making nominations in states in which they have societies, and from their preparations for holding a NATIONAL PRESIDENTIAL CONVENTION, like the other political parties, at the city of Baltimore, where several of the delegates had arrived when the intelligence of the death of the prophet reached there,—not only we say, from those indications, but from the contents of their journals we judge of their views. . .
- Niles’ National Register comments on death of Joseph Smith and his presidential campaign.
[96]↩︎
Historian Spencer McBride notes:
That Smith and his fellow Mormon leaders were serious in putting his name forth as a presidential candidate is demonstrated by their efforts to select electors in a formal convention. . . . The Council of Fifty’s emphasis on securing electors in each state should Smith win the popular vote in those places illuminates the way the council viewed the presidential campaign. To council members, Smith was not merely a protest candidate. They thought that he could win and made the necessary technical arrangements to facilitate such an event should large numbers of Americans in each state cast their votes for him.
- Spencer McBride writes that Joseph Smith ran for President as more than just a protest candidate.
[97]↩︎
At the time, steamboat passengers were often asked their preferred presidential candidate in “steamboat elections.” Newspapers reported the results, though some questioned their legitimacy. Joseph received little to no votes in these mock elections.
As an exception, the Nauvoo Neighbor cited a Missouri newspaper reporting on a steamboat election where Joseph received the most votes. Lyman Wight reported a similar event. However, these votes took place aboard the steamboat Osprey, which often stopped in Nauvoo.
[98]↩︎
Newspapers often mocked Joseph’s campaign and viewed it as irrelevant. Comparing it to John Tyler’s chance at re-election, the New York Herald said:
In this [Presidential] contest, we already perceive that the people of the United States will be divided into two great and powerful factions. A third party will not be heard of. Captain Tyler is as effectually covered with the waters of oblivion as Joe Smith, in relation to the contest for the Presidency.
When commenting on a state election, the Lancaster Intelligencer said that one of the candidates’ chances had “fallen as dead, as lifeless, as uncared-for, as the nomination of JOE SMITH, for the Presidency, by the Mormons.”
The Port-Gibson Herald wrote that Joseph may “injure” James K. Polk in the Illinois election “by withdrawing the Mormon vote from the Locofoco [Democratic] party.”
[99]↩︎
Historian Spencer McBride wrote that it was “extremely improbable” that Joseph would win the election, and that:
From the outset, Smith’s presidential prospects were bleak; there was virtually no chance that he would beat his Democratic and Whig rivals. Indeed, Smith and other church leaders were hesitant to put all their eggs in the presidential basket. The presidency was always just one potential solution to the Mormons’ problems.
- Spencer McBride writes on Joseph’s assassination and unlikely election to the Presidency.
[100]↩︎
Even James Arlington Bennet, Joseph’s first choice for vice president, did not think that Joseph would win even a single state in the election.
In a letter dated April 14, 1844, Bennet wrote to Willard Richards, saying:
If you can by any supernatural means elect Brother Joseph President of these U[nited] States, I have not a doubt but that he would govern the people and administer the laws in good faith, and with righteous intentions, but I see no natural means by which he has the slightest chance of receiving the votes even of one state.
- James Arlington Bennet writes to Willard Richards that Joseph likely won’t win the votes of a single state in the Presidential election.
[101]↩︎
Joseph and Hyrum Smith were killed by a mob in Carthage Jail on June 27, 1844.
The national convention in Baltimore was still held on July 13, 1844. The Baltimore Sun reported that:
a number of Mormons assembled in Baltimore on that day, agreeably to appointment, and decided, on account of the death of their leader, Joe Smith, to make no movement on the Presidential question.
- The Nauvoo Neighbor Extra reports on the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, June 27, 1844.
- Baltimore Sun reports on Mormon Convention not nominating a presidential candidate after Joseph Smith’s death.
[102]↩︎
Historian Spencer McBride wrote that:
There is no evidence that Smith was assassinated because he was a presidential candidate. . . . He became the first assassinated presidential candidate in American history, but he was not assassinated to prevent his election.
- Spencer McBride writes on Joseph’s assassination and unlikely election to the Presidency.
[103]↩︎
James K. Polk had earned the Democratic nomination over Martin Van Buren at the party’s national convention in June 1844.
After Polk’s party nomination, the Whig Poughkeepsie Journal wrote that “The people, unless they are absolutely blind, therefore, will no sooner elect such a man to the Presidency, than Joe Smith, the Mormon Prophet.”
Polk went on to beat Whig candidate Henry Clay in the Presidential election.
- Poughkeepsie Journal reports on Polk’s nomination over Van Buren, says Polk is as unlikely to win the election as Joseph Smith.
- Nauvoo Neighbor reports on results of the Presidential election.

Issue	Joseph Smith’s View:
Slavery	“Petition also, ye goodly inhabitants of the slave states, your legislators to abolish slavery by the year 1850, or now, and save the abolitionist from reproach and ruin, infamy and shame. Pray Congress to pay every man a reasonable price for his slaves out of the surplus revenue arising from the sale of public lands, and from the deduction of pay from the members of Congress. Break off the shackles from the poor black man, and hire him to labor like other human beings.”[46][47]
Territorial Expansion	“if Texas petitions Congress to be adopted among the sons of liberty, give her the the right hand of fellowship; and refuse not the same friendly grip to Canada and Mexico: and when the right arm of freemen is stretched out in the character of a navy, for the protection of rights, commerce and honor, let the iron eyes of power, watch from Maine to Mexico, and from California to Columbia . . . and when a neighboring realm petitioned to join the union of the sons of liberty, my voice would be, come: yea come Texas: come Mexico; come Canada; and come all the world—let us be brethren: let us be one great family; and let there be universal peace.”[48]
Prison System	“Petition your state legislatures to pardon every convict in their several penitentiaries: . . . Advise your legislators when they make laws for larceny, burglary or any felony, to make the penalty applicable to work upon roads, public works, or any place where the culprit can be taught more wisdom and more virtue; and become more enlightened. . . . Murder only can claim confinement or death. Let the penitentiaries be turned into seminaries of learning, where intelligence, like the angels of heaven, would banish such fragments of barbarism: Imprisonment for debt is a meaner practice than the savage tolerates with all his ferocity.”[49]
Banking	“let Congress shew their wisdom by granting a national bank, with branches in each state and territory, where the capital stock shall be held by the nation for the mother bank: and by the states and territories, for the branches: and whose officers and directors shall be elected yearly by the people with wages at the rate of two dollars per day for services: which several banks shall never issue any more bills than the amount of capital stock in her vaults and the interest. The nett gain of the mother bank shall be applied to the national revenue, and that of the branches to the states and territories’ revenues. And the bills shall be par throughout the nation, which will mercifully cure that fatal disorder know in cities, as brokerage; and leave the people’s money in their own pockets.”[50]
Congress	“Reduce Congress at least one half. Two Senators from a state and two members to a million of population, will do more business than the army that now occupy the halls of the National Legislature. Pay them two dollars and their board per diem; (except Sundays,) that is more than the farmer gets, and he lives honestly.”[51]
Presidential Powers	“Give every man his constitutional freedom, and the president full power to send an army to suppress mobs; and the states authority to repeal and impugn that relic of folly, which makes it necessary for the governor of a state to make the demand of the president for troops, in cases of invasion or rebellion The governor himself may be a mobber . . .”[52]