Getting “Bogged” Down By Alleged Prophecy – Part 1
Joseph Smith Background: Governor Lilburn W. Boggs and the Missouri Conflict
The discussion begins with an overview of early Latter-day Saint persecution, particularly the actions of Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs and the claims surrounding a prophecy attributed to Joseph Smith regarding Boggs’ death.
Lilburn W. Boggs was the governor of Missouri during the 1838 conflict between the Latter-day Saints and Missouri citizens. His administration ordered the Missouri state militia into action, resulting in:
The Extermination Order of October 27, 1838, directing that Latter-day Saints be expelled from the state or “exterminated” if necessary.
Widespread confiscation of Latter-day Saint property without compensation.
The massacre at Hawn’s Mill, where state militia forces killed and wounded Latter-day Saint men and children.
Forced removal of the Saints from the state during winter conditions.
Boggs became one of the most reviled figures in early Latter-day Saint memory due to these events.
The Attempted Assassination of Governor Boggs (1842)
In May 1842, Boggs was shot through a window of his home by an unidentified assailant. Though seriously injured, he survived.
Immediately after the attack:
Boggs publicly accused Orrin Porter Rockwell, a close associate of Joseph Smith.
Critics claimed Joseph Smith had ordered or encouraged the assassination attempt.
These accusations lacked evidence.
This event generated significant tension between Missouri and Nauvoo. Missouri attempted to extradite Joseph Smith to stand trial as an accessory. Joseph went into temporary hiding while the case moved through legal channels. Ultimately, Illinois courts rejected the extradition attempt as legally unsupported.
John C. Bennett’s Accusations
John C. Bennett, a former member of the First Presidency who was excommunicated for immorality, began publishing accusations against Joseph Smith in 1842.
In his book The History of the Saints, Bennett claimed:
Joseph Smith had prophesied that Boggs would die violently.
Smith offered a monetary reward for Boggs’ assassination.
Secret groups in Nauvoo (“Daughters of Zion,” “Destroying Angels”) carried out violent acts.
Porter Rockwell confessed involvement in an attack.
These claims are not supported by historical evidence.
Known Issues with Bennett’s Accusations
No contemporaneous source records Joseph Smith prophesying Boggs’ violent death.
The alleged Nauvoo “secret societies” are fictional embellishments created by Bennett.
Bennett remained in the Church during the time he claimed these events occurred, yet never protested until after his excommunication.
His affidavits were gathered in Carthage, a location known for hostility toward the Saints.
Church records, journals, and revelations contain no prophetic statement matching Bennett’s claims.
Folklore About Boggs’ Grave
A tradition later developed among some members claiming that Joseph Smith prophesied:
A Latter-day Saint chapel would one day stand over or cast a shadow across Boggs’ grave in Napa, California.
There is no historical record—in revelations, journals, or sermons—of Joseph Smith making such a prophecy.
This belief appears to be a later folklore development, likely arising because:
Boggs died in California, a region where Latter-day Saints later settled.
A Latter-day Saint chapel was built near the cemetery.
Members associated the proximity with a symbolic “fulfillment.”
However, the prophecy is not authentic to Joseph Smith.
Missouri Violence and Its Impact on Latter-day Saint Identity
The Saints’ expulsion from Missouri, particularly the atrocities at Hawn’s Mill, became foundational experiences in early Church identity.
One example is the testimony of Amanda Barnes Smith, whose husband and son were killed and whose children were severely injured. Despite her suffering, she bore a powerful testimony of Joseph Smith as a prophet and of God’s sustaining power.
These events shaped:
Latter-day Saint distrust of state authorities
The later desire to relocate to a place where the Saints could govern themselves
The collective memory of persecution within Church history
Continuing Tensions Leading to Nauvoo Events
The Boggs accusations contributed to:
Repeated Missouri extradition attempts against Joseph Smith
Increased public suspicion
Heightened tension between Nauvoo and nearby Illinois communities
These escalating tensions contributed to the environment that culminated in the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith in 1844.
John C. Bennett’s writings played a significant role in shaping anti-Mormon sentiment in Illinois during this period.
Conclusion
Getting “Bogged” Down by Alleged Prophecy — Part 2
Background on John C. Bennett
John C. Bennett was a key figure in Nauvoo who:
Served as mayor of Nauvoo
Was a member of the First Presidency
Later became a major public accuser of Joseph Smith
He was excommunicated in 1842 for adultery and for deceiving Church members. After his excommunication, Bennett publicly denied his wrongdoing, later contradicted himself, and then admitted to certain immoral actions while still attempting to shift blame away from himself.
His writings, affidavits, and later publications became major sources for anti–Latter-day Saint claims.
Bennett’s Affidavit About Porter Rockwell
After leaving the Church, Bennett swore an affidavit (before Justice Samuel Marshall of Carthage) claiming:
Porter Rockwell visited him privately.
Rockwell allegedly mentioned people accusing him of shooting Governor Boggs.
Rockwell supposedly referenced being in “Boggs’ neighborhood.”
Bennett claimed Rockwell implied that if he had shot Boggs, it was up to others to prove it.
Bennett presented these statements as evidence of Rockwell’s involvement in the attack.
This affidavit is one of several Bennett swore — all after his excommunication.
Problems with the Affidavit
Hearsay
Bennett’s affidavit depends largely on second-hand statements (“someone told me that…”). Such claims cannot be verified and are not considered reliable historical evidence.
Bias
Bennett produced these accusations after his excommunication and while publicly attacking Joseph Smith.
Justice of the Peace Samuel Marshall
The affidavits were sworn before Samuel Marshall, an openly anti-Mormon local official.
Marshall was later involved in violent acts against non–Latter-day Saints as well and was known for hostility toward Nauvoo.
Contradictions
Bennett frequently contradicted his own previous statements.
He denied his immoral behavior for years, later admitted it, and then changed his explanations again.
Multiple Affidavits with Identical Claims
Following Bennett’s affidavit, additional individuals in Carthage submitted affidavits claiming:
Rockwell said he had been in Missouri.
Rockwell allegedly said he could not be proven guilty even if he had done it.
These affidavits repeat the same story and rely on similar hearsay, suggesting coordination, not independent corroboration.
Historical Accusations Against Joseph Smith
Anti-Mormon sources frequently claimed:
Joseph Smith prophesied that Boggs would die violently.
Joseph Smith supposedly paid Rockwell to kill Boggs.
Secret Danite groups carried out violent acts on Joseph’s orders.
None of these claims appear in:
Joseph Smith’s journals
The Doctrine and Covenants
History of the Church
Nauvoo city records
Any contemporary sermon, revelation, or correspondence
These accusations originate almost entirely from:
John C. Bennett’s hostile publications
Missouri political figures
Later anti-Mormon literature
They are not supported by primary Latter-day Saint sources.
Joseph Smith’s Actual Statements About Boggs
Joseph Smith made a recorded statement in Dixon, Illinois while reflecting on his capture by Missouri officers attempting to extradite him for Boggs’ shooting.
Joseph stated:
He had no desire to kill anyone, including his enemies.
He said explicitly that he would not kill Boggs.
He expressed that a longer life would give Boggs more time to reflect on the suffering he caused the Saints.
This direct quotation contradicts later folklore that Joseph predicted Boggs would die violently.
The “Prophecy” About Boggs’ Grave
A later tradition claimed Joseph Smith predicted:
Grass would not grow on Boggs’ grave
A Latter-day Saint chapel would cast a shadow over it
Boggs would die violently or prematurely
There is no historical record from Joseph Smith’s lifetime documenting such a prophecy:
Not in journals
Not in revelations
Not in sermons
Not in letters
Not in contemporary testimonies
Not in Nauvoo publications
This idea appears to originate from:
Later storytelling
A 1959 Church News article noting a Church building near Boggs’ grave
Folklore associating poetic “justice” with persecutors
The 1959 article does not claim Joseph ever prophesied such a thing.
Missouri Persecution and Its Legacy
Lilburn W. Boggs was responsible for:
The 1838 Extermination Order
Armed action against Latter-day Saints
Loss of property, forced expulsion, and multiple deaths
The Hawn’s Mill massacre (through state military operations)
These events created deep trauma and shaped early Latter-day Saint collective memory.
However, there is no evidence that Joseph Smith sought Boggs’ death or issued prophetic curses against him.
The Attempted Extradition of Joseph Smith
Missouri attempted repeatedly to extradite Joseph Smith:
Claiming he ordered Rockwell to shoot Boggs
Presenting weak or nonexistent evidence
Using Bennett’s affidavits to justify charges
Courts in Illinois rejected the extradition for lack of legal basis.
Rockwell himself was imprisoned in Missouri for nearly a year but was never convicted.
Boggs in California and Later History
After leaving Missouri, Boggs migrated to California, where:
He participated in early political developments.
He was present during statehood discussions.
He served on California’s constitutional convention.
There is no historical evidence that Boggs commented on Latter-day Saint matters during these later years.
Conclusion
The historical evidence demonstrates:
John C. Bennett’s affidavits are unreliable and contradictory.
Claims that Joseph Smith ordered Rockwell to kill Boggs trace to Bennett, not reliable sources.
The folklore about Boggs’ grave has no basis in Joseph Smith’s recorded teachings.
Joseph explicitly denied wanting harm to come upon Boggs.
The Boggs affair reflects the broader persecution faced by the Saints in Missouri.
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