Laws of Illinois state that treason consists of “levying war against the government and people of this state".

Parley Pratt calls David Patten a "martyr" for dying of his wounds received during the Battle of Crooked River.

Willard Richards says that John Young is a "martyr" because he died because of his afflictions in Missouri.

John Taylor recounts the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith on June 27, 1844.

Warsaw Signal labels the "Spiritual Wife doctrine" a "secret working", "iniquity", and "hellish".

William Clayton records the formation of the "new church" led by William Law and other "dupes" who "had been cut off from the Church" that claimed Joseph was a "fallen prophet".

Hancock County court document records Charles Ambrose Foster's lawsuit against Joseph for false imprisonment and injury, asking for $1000 in damages.

Joseph and Joseph W. Coolidge state that Charles Ambrose Foster's lawsuit against them has no merit.

Extracts of the Nauvoo Expositor attacking Joseph.

Nauvoo Expositor claims that Joseph used his position as Prophet to gain political and civic power.

Nauvoo Expositor claims that Joseph and other Church leaders introduced false doctrines into the Church and were apostates.

Joseph orders the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor.

Nauvoo City Council orders Mayor Joseph to destroy the Nauvoo Expositor.

TS calls for violent vengeance on "Infernal Devils" of Nauvoo.

Thomas Morrison writes out an arrest warrant for Joseph for "unlawfully & with force" destroying the Nauvoo Expositor, considered the property of the publishers.

Joseph details his arrest for the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor, and his trial, and discharge that same day in Nauvoo.

Willard Richards records the petition from Joseph Smith for a writ of Habeas Corpus, allowing the Nauvoo City Municipal Court to investigate and dismiss charges in their own court.

Willard Richards records that justices of the Nauvoo Municipal Court dismissed the charges against those that destroyed the Nauvoo Expositor.

Joseph writes a letter to Governor Thomas Ford explaining his view of the events surrounding the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor.

Warsaw Signal records a resolution adopted by a mass meeting of citizens that Joseph should be surrendered to authorities or "a war of extermination should be waged".

Joseph's journal records a visit from Judge Jesse Thomas who advised that holding a third trial before a "jusstice of the peace" would prevent mob violence.

Willard Richards gives a detailed summary of the Nauvoo City Council's legal deliberations concerning the Nauvoo Expositor.

Joseph states his intentions to protect the rights and safety of Nauvoo citizens even at the cost of his own life.

Warsaw Signal claims Nauvoo leaders detained people in Nauvoo during martial law.

Gov. Thomas Ford writes to Joseph Smith, requesting "one or more well informed and discreet persons" to "lay before [him]. . .the matter".

Joseph writes to Thomas Ford expressing his willingness to stand trial in Carthage, so long as Ford will assure physical safety and impartiality in the trial.

Robert F. Smith records the bail recognizance for Joseph et. al. in the riot case; sets date for trial to next session (October 1844).

Willard Richards recounts the events of the attack on Carthage jail in his journal.

The NNE asserts JS and HS killed by a mob for their religion.

The NYDH reprints the NN extra calling JS and HS martyrs.

H. T. Reid recounts the postponement of the trial concerning "inciting a riot" and collection of recognizances by Robert F. Smith, justice of the peace.

Spirit of Democracy, an Ohio newspaper, reports Joseph trying to escape Carthage.

Public Ledger says of the killing of Joseph and Hyrum Smith is a "grosser act of treachery was never committed."

Lyrics to "Joseph Smith" ["Praise to the Man"] originally published in 1844.

New York Herald reprint describes Joseph and Hyrum Smith as martyrs.

Indictment for 9 men for the Murder of Joseph Smith (The People of Illinois vs. Levi Williams et al.)

George T. M. Davis relates Joseph shot and wounded 3 of the mob including John Wills ("Mr Wills").

W. M. Daniels recounts at length the events leading up to the death of Joseph & Hyrum Smith from his perspective as a non-Latter-day Saint member of the state militia.

William Clayton includes a summary of the events leading the Martyrdom in the Council of Fifty minutes.

Verdict of the Jury finds defendants in "People vs Levi Williams et al." NOT GUILTY.

Willard Richards notifies the Church in Times and Seasons of the excommunication of William Smith on Oct 12, 1845 for having "turned away from the truth".

CW recalls that JF gave JS a pistol in Carthage, which he gave to HS when CW gave him another pistol.

W. M. Daniels recalls that Joseph probably tried to escape to save the others in the room.

Gov. Thomas Ford recalls the "excitement" in Carthage in Nauvoo; relates his decision to disband the militia for "danger of collision" if he were to march with them to Nauvoo.

Willard Richards recalls Joseph fired a six-shooter pistol into the mob. John Taylor and Willard Richards had sticks.

Thomas Ford state that Joseph and Hyrum were under his sworn protection and surrendered as prisoners.

GAS says JS and HS were "deprived of any weapons to defend themselves" in Carthage Jail.

Emma Smith sends word to Joseph that he should "give himself up" and that some Nauvoo citizens felt betrayed he was fleeing Nauvoo.

A summary of the conversation between Joseph and Thomas Ford while Joseph was imprisoned in Carthage Jail.

John Taylor recalls Joseph "snapped" his pistol six times into the mob, it fired three times successfully.

John Taylor recalls Cyrus Wheelock gave Joseph a six shooter pistol.

Deseret News reports Cyrus Wheelock's recollection that he gave Joseph a six shooter revolver; Joseph gave a single barrel pistol to Hyrum Smith.

CW says he gave JS a six-shooter, JS gave HS a single barrel pistol, which he got from JF.

John Foxe notes that other martyrs might be mentioned, by torture, imprisonment, loss of property, banishment, etc.

John Foxe tells of martyrs who were armed and defended themselves before being martyred.

William Clayton records Emma Smith and others sending messengers to convince Joseph to "give themselves up," citing a concern that "the city would be destroyed and the people massacred."

1889 Deseret Weekly reports on hearing in federal court about the existence of an Oath of Vengeance.

Oliver B. Huntington writes that Joseph and others removed their garments prior to their martyrdom because they feared their garments would be mocked.

Fawn Brodie reports that "it is said that Eli Johnson demanded that the prophet be castrated."

Leonard says the Church has had both pistols Joseph and Hyrum had in Carthage "for many years," and both will be displayed soon at the Museum of Church History and Art.

David John Buerger's "The Development of the Mormon Temple Endowment Ceremony," references the oath of vengeance removal.

Deseret News article says the pepperbox Joseph used in Carthage was rediscovered in 1996 and has been on display since 2015.

Jana Riess discusses inaccuracies in "Under the Banner of Heaven" in its portrayal of Brigham Young's involvement in Joseph Smith's death.

"The Carthage Conspiracy Trial: An Account" website by Professor Douglas O. Linder.