page_title: Joseph Smith and the criminal justice system
section_title: Inciting a riot destroying the Nauvoo Expositor, June 1844
hierarchical_section_title: Joseph Smith and the criminal justice system / Chronology of charges / In Illinois (1839–44) / Inciting a riot destroying the Nauvoo Expositor, June 1844
caption_attribution_description: English: Example of the front page of the Nauvoo Expositor, originally published 7 June 1844 in Nauvoo. 中文: 納府解說者
context_page_description: Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, was "subjected to approximately thirty criminal actions" during his life. Another source reports Smith was arrested at least 42 times. Smith was killed by a mob while in jail awaiting trial on charges of treason against Illinois.
context_section_description: The Nauvoo Expositor was a newspaper that published only one issue, which was dated June 7, 1844. The Expositor was founded by several seceders from Smith's church and was critical of Smith and other church leaders. Those who published the Expositor espoused a belief in Mormonism, but criticized Smith for doctrines such as plural marriage and exaltation.
  As mayor, Smith and the Nauvoo City Council declared the newspaper a public nuisance and ordered the press destroyed. The town marshal carried out the order that evening.
  On June 11, the Hancock County Justice of the Peace issued a warrant for the arrest of Smith and 17 other individuals on charges of inciting a riot. Constable David Bettisworth was tasked with arresting Smith and conveying him to the Hancock County Court. Rather than return with Bettisworth court, Smith instead petitioned the Municipal Court of Nauvoo to dismiss the charges.
  Smith declared martial law in Nauvoo on June 18 and called out the Nauvoo Legion, an organized city militia of about 5,000 men. In response, Governor Ford organized a state militia to arrest Smith.
  Smith fled Illinois to avoid arrest, crossing the Mississippi River into Iowa. On June 23, a posse under the command of the governor entered Nauvoo to execute the arrest warrant, but they were unable to locate Smith.
  On June 25, Smith and his co-defendants surrendered to Constable Bettisworth on the original charge of inciting a riot. An arraignment was held on the rioting charge and Justice Robert F. Smith granted bail of $500 for each of the defendants.
caption: Page from the only issue of the Nauvoo Expositor
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