Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"Smith, Joseph Fielding
History
Essentials in Church History: A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"
Smith, Joseph Fielding
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- History
On the 27th day of March, 1844, Abiathar B. Williams and M. G. Eaton,
each made affidavit before Daniel H. Wells, justice of the peace,
confirming the story of these young men, and implicating Chauncy L.
Higbee, Robert D. Foster, Joseph H. Jackson and Wilson and William Law,
as the leaders among the plotters. Shortly afterwards (April 18, 1844)
the two Laws and Robert D. Foster, were excommunicated from the Church.
Others prominent in this conspiracy were Austin Cowles, Francis M.
Higbee, Charles Ivins and Charles A. Foster.
Apostates Attempt to Organize a Church
An attempt was made by these apostates to organize a church of their
own, patterned after the Church of Christ, with William Law at the
head. Their following was small and the attempt was a failure. They
soon joined hands openly with the most bitter enemies of the Saints and
aided them in all their anti-"Mormon" persecutions. They advocated the
repeal of the Nauvoo Charter; insulted the officers of the city and
maliciously violated the ordinances, endeavoring to bring the city into
ill-repute. Their evil deeds they laid at the door of others, and with
lying tongues made brutal accusations against the innocent, and openly
threatened the life of the Prophet.
Plot to Kill Joseph Smith
May 25, 1844, William Law, Robert D. Foster and Joseph H. Jackson,
had Joseph Smith indicted at Carthage on the charge of polygamy and
perjury. Two days later Joseph left for Carthage, accompanied by a
number of his friends, and voluntarily gave himself up for trial. He
secured legal assistance and endeavored to have his case tried, but
the opposition insisted on the case going over until the next term of
court. On the way to Carthage, Charles A. Foster overtook the Prophet
and his company, and had some conversation. When they reached their
destination Foster called Joseph Smith aside and informed him of a
conspiracy against his life. His brother Robert D., with tears in his
eyes, also said there were persons there who had planned to kill the
Prophet before he left that town. The spark of repentance kindled in
their breasts, however, soon died out, and these two men again banded
with the conspirators in Nauvoo, to bring to pass the death of Joseph
and Hyrum Smith.
The "Nauvoo Expositor"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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