The Assassination of Joseph and Hyrum Smith

On June 27, 1844, Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, and his brother Hyrum Smith were killed by a mob at Carthage Jail in Hancock County, Illinois. This event marked a pivotal and tragic moment in the history of the Latter Day Saint movement.

Background

Joseph Smith was a religious leader and founder of what became known as the Latter Day Saint movement. By June 1844, tensions in Illinois had reached a boiling point. Joseph Smith’s religious teachings, his role as mayor of Nauvoo, Illinois, and his presidential campaign had garnered both devoted followers and vehement opponents. His exercise of political and religious authority created friction with non-LDS (Latter Day Saints) neighbors, escalating to sectarian conflict.

In the months leading up to the attack, tensions heightened when Smith ordered the destruction of a printing press used to produce the “Nauvoo Expositor,” an anti-Mormon publication critical of him. This action was seen as an affront to free press and led to charges of riot against Smith.

Events at Carthage Jail

Joseph and Hyrum Smith voluntarily traveled to Carthage to face the charges, believing it was better to confront the legal issues head-on. Upon their arrival, they were incarcerated in Carthage Jail, where they were supposed to be protected while awaiting trial.

Despite assurances for their safety, on the afternoon of June 27, 1844, an armed mob of about 200 men stormed the jail. The mob was partly motivated by anti-Mormon sentiment and a belief that Smith had become a threat to their political, social, and economic interests. Both Smith brothers were within the jail’s second-story room when the attack occurred.

Hyrum Smith, attempting to control the situation, was shot in the face and fell immediately. Joseph Smith, in an effort to defend himself and his companions, was shot multiple times while attempting to escape through a window. His last words reportedly were a Masonic distress call: “Oh Lord, my God!”.

Aftermath

The deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith sent shockwaves through the LDS community. Joseph Smith’s murder left a leadership vacuum, leading to a succession crisis within the movement. Ultimately, Brigham Young emerged as the leader of the largest group, taking followers to Utah territory in pursuit of religious freedom.

The incident at Carthage had significant implications for religious tolerance and minority rights in America. It highlighted the intense sectarian and cultural conflicts of the era and marked an escalation in the challenges faced by new religious movements in the United States.

The site of the assassination, Carthage Jail, has since become a place of pilgrimage and reflection for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, symbolizing both the persecution they faced and the enduring legacy of their faith.