Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-08-24
the NAuvoo ExposlroR.

WfltoSs
ITO the Edftor-wnl you be kind
enough to devote little space TO u
brief but plain explanation of the d.
rect causes of the assassination OF the
prophet Joseph The writer was con-
rronted by a lady this morning who
said: why Is Ii that the Mormons al
ways claim that Joseph Smith was put
to death for religions sakeT Because
n is true said 1. Not so. she replied,
but because he and his brother set fire
to a printing Office that published a pa
per called the Times and Seasons
The lady no doubt, refers to the Nau-
VOC Exposltor, and not TO the Times
and Seasons
The reason why the Prophet Joseph
was the object OF hatred, and why he
finally suffered inartyrdom was that he
was a prophet OF the Lord, speaking
the truth in the name of the Master
TO n generation not knowing, and not
willing TO accept, the truth. For the
same reason John the Baptist was put
to DEATH and stephen, and Peter, and
Paul, and Polycarp, and the almost in
Vulnerable host of martyrs Of whom u
can be said In the words OF the author
NJ the Epistle TO the Hebrews: "Of
whom the world was not worthy" 1t
was the same reason for which the Son
of Man himself was put to death.
IT Is not true that the destruction
NJ the printing office was the real
cause Of the last acts of persecution
against the Prophet. Some time before
that event he was advised by Charles
Foster that some apostates had laid
plot to kin him. The secret OF
their opposition was that the Prophet
had rcbuked them for their sins and
dealt with them in accordance with
the law OF the Church They were
naughty and unrepentant in their sins
and transgressions like Lucifer OF old,
and their enmity was Inspired by that
arch-enemy of God and man.
The printing office episode was but
an Incident in the warfare between
the forces of light and darkness. The
enemies had already decided to kill the
Prophet. But. In order to accom-
plish their diabolical design in safety,
they deemed II necessary to prepare
the public sentiment for the tragedy.
by stories of alleged misdeeds and
crimes OF the Mormon" leaders. The
Nauvoo Expositor was to be the
speaking trumpet through which TO
mislead tho American people. The
dark deed was to be committed be-
hind the cover of a newspaper, Ac-
cordingly the Nauvoo Expositor. own
ed and edited by apostates and bitter
enemies OF the Church, was establish
cd. One of its objects was to work
for the destruction of the city of Maui
VOC by inducing the legislature to re-
peal the city charter. But it's chief
mission was to defame and libel the
leading citizens belonging to the
Church.
When It's first and only number APP
peared. 1t caused Indignation and con-
sternation among the citizens. II was
feared that It would induce mobs to
attack the city. And this fear was
rot without foundation. Under the
circumstances some were in favor OF
taking steps TO terminate the career
of the lihelous publication. But the
Prophet, who at the time was the may
or of the city. was anxious that no
Illegal measures should be resorted TO,
No mob law was to be tolerated in
the city of the Saints. When, there
fore. the city council met in regular
cession, the question came up as to
what TO do with the Expositor. The
scandalous character Of the sheet was
fully considered. The council decided
by almost unanimous vote that the
paper was n nuisance, and the mayor
was instructed TO have Il removed
without delay. There was one dis
sentihg vote cast by a non-"Mormon"
member OF the council, but this menu
Der also agreed that the sheet was u
public nuisance. He thought. how
ever, that a fine would be the correct
punishment.
According to the instructions OF the
council the mayor ordered the mar
shal to destroy the plant Of the paper
This was done. During the legal in
vestigations that followed Immediately
after this procedure 1t WAS made clear
that the city fathers had done only
what they had authority in law to dol
and the mayor issued proclamation
stating that he was perfectly willing TO
go before any high court In the state,
at the request of the governor, and an
swer for the correctness OF the con
duct Of the city authorities in the mat
ter.
This is. briefly tho story Of the Maui
VOC EXpositor II Is evident that the
prosecutors made use OF the incident
10 carry out plans already maturcd, We
have parallel IN the history of our
Lord. During His ministry of love the
flames Of hatred became more ana more
intense. and His death was ofte
secretly agreed on In the council cham
bers OF His Adyersarles, But not until
lie had publicly eleansed the temple
ground ana denounced tho donlers OF
the sacred place as rohhers. aid tho
secret plots take definite shape. The
Prophet aud the Patriarch were slain,
because they were witnesses FOR COD
That was the true ana only reason,
They were slain while engaged I'm the
defense OF the constitutional rights OF
the citizens OF their beloved city.
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