The mourning of Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith by the Saints and their efforts to memorialize them revealed the deep impact of their deaths on the community and the need for a clear succession plan in church leadership.
The settlement of Joseph Smith's estate and the subsequent legal proceedings highlighted the complexities and challenges faced by the church after the martyrdom, including the management of personal and church finances and the quest for justice.
Deep dives
The aftermath of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hiram Smith
After the assassination of Joseph and Hiram Smith, the town of Carthage was in chaos. Citizens were concerned about possible retaliation from the Latter-day Saints and some fled the town. Willard Richards wrote a letter informing Nauvoo of the attack and warning of potential further violence. The church leaders had to regroup and determine the next steps. The bodies of Joseph and Hiram were taken to Nauvoo, where thousands of people lined the streets to pay their respects.
The grief and mourning of Emma Smith and her children
Emma Smith and her children were devastated by the news of Joseph's death. Witnesses described Emma's profound grief and despair upon seeing the bodies of her husband and brother-in-law. She struggled to cope with their loss and the responsibility of providing for her family. The grief of the children was also intense as they gathered around their mother and the lifeless body of their father. The community offered support, but Emma's sorrow was overwhelming.
Settling Joseph Smith's estate and church leadership succession
The settlement of Joseph Smith's estate posed significant challenges due to the complexity of his personal finances and the intermingling with church finances. With no will, his debts and assets had to be managed and resolved. At the same time, the question of church leadership succession arose, with different factions advocating different solutions. Ultimately, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, led by Brigham Young, assumed leadership of the church, but debates lingered about who was the rightful successor.
The legal proceedings and aftermath of the martyrdom
Legal proceedings were initiated to seek justice for the murders of Joseph and Hiram Smith. However, the trial faced numerous challenges, including biased court proceedings and reluctance from Latter-day Saints to fully participate. Accountability for the assassins proved difficult, with only a few individuals being indicted and tried. Ultimately, the trial ended with all accused assassins being acquitted. This led to ongoing tensions between the Saints and their critics, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the church after the martyrdom.
This episode details the return of Joseph and Hyrum Smith’s bodies to Nauvoo, the mourning of the Saints and their efforts to memorialize their fallen leaders, questions of succession in church leadership, and the settling of Joseph Smith’s estate. Guests: Sharalyn Howcroft, Jenny Reeder, Jeffrey Mahas, Matt Grow, Elizabeth Kuehn, Richard E. Turley Jr., Hillary Kirkham.
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