The Killing of Mormon Leader Joseph Smith on This Day in History

This day in history: Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint (Mormom) movement, and his brother Hyrum Smith, were killed by a mob at the Carthage, Illinois jail on this day in 1844.

Joseph Smith was mayor of Nauvoo Illinois, and he ordered the printing presses at the Nauvoo Expositor destroyed as the reporters there were writing articles critical of him. 

The destruction of the press led to public outrage, and Smith and other members of the Nauvoo City Council were charged with inciting a riot. Smith declared martial law in Nauvoo and called on the Nauvoo Legion to protect the city. After briefly fleeing Illinois, Smith returned and voluntarily traveled to the county seat at Carthage to face charges. After surrendering to authorities, Smith and his brothers were also charged with treason against Illinois for declaring martial law.

The brothers were in the Carthage Jail awaiting trial when an armed mob of about 200 men stormed the building, their faces painted black with wet gunpowder. Joseph's brother Hyrum was killed immediately when he was shot in the face. Joseph Smith was then shot and killed while trying to escape from a second-story window.

Five men were indicted for the killings but were acquitted at a jury trial. At the time of his death, Smith was also running for president of the United States, making him the first U.S. presidential candidate to be assassinated. His death marked a turning point for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and since then, members of the Latter Day Saint movement have generally viewed him and his brother as religious martyrs who were "murdered in cold blood".

James Strang, who claimed to have been appointed to be the successor of Joseph Smith as leader of the Church was also assassinated in 1856. 

Early Mormon history is one that is marked by violence, violence perpetrated against them, and violence enacted by them. Mormons being viewed as a violent faith also made it into the first Sherlock Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet. There is even a wikipedia entry on Mormonism and violence. 

One reason why the Mormons were so hated was their belief in polygamy. They officially denied practicing it until after Brigham Young succeeded Joseph Smith. Many of the leaders including Joseph Smith also practiced polyandry (marrying other living men’s wives). These practices were considered sexually deviant and despicable.

Also, when Mormons moved into an area, they would completely change the voting patterns in that area, which enraged the community.