Early Latter-day Saint Patriotism The early Saints, including Joseph Smith, viewed themselves as strongly patriotic Americans. Joseph Smith’s ancestors fought in the American Revolution, and early members saw their faith as tied to the founding principles of the United States. They believed that the Restoration was made possible by the freedoms guaranteed in the nation’s … Read more
Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith After the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor press on June 10, 1844, public outrage spread rapidly through Hancock County and surrounding Illinois communities. Anti-Mormon newspapers such as the Warsaw Signal and the Quincy Whig condemned Joseph Smith and urged decisive action against Nauvoo. Although press destruction had precedent in … Read more
Early Uncanonized Revelations of Joseph Smith (1830–1843): Historical Overview Early Latter-day Saints understood that more revelations existed than those published in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants. Church members knew Joseph Smith received numerous revelations recorded in journals, letters, manuscript books, and loose documents kept by scribes. These uncanonized revelations were treated as genuine, publicly read, … Read more