The podcast delves into betrayal within the Church, comparing it to Judas betraying Christ. It discusses trusted members conspiring against Joseph Smith, including an apostle. Topics include internal factors leading to Joseph's assassination, scandalous lives of John Bennett and William Law, and confrontations within the Mormon community. Also explores the impact of the Nauvoo Expositor publication.
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John C. Bennett's Rise and Fall
Joseph Smith compared John C. Bennett's rhetorical skills to Apostle Paul.
Bennett later faced accusations of adultery and spiritual wifery, leading to his excommunication.
insights INSIGHT
Internal Factors Leading to Martyrdom
Joseph and Hiram's imprisonment stemmed from internal dissent within the church.
The Nauvoo Expositor's publication ignited the conflict, leading to their arrest.
question_answer ANECDOTE
William Law's Dissent
William Law, a counselor in the First Presidency, turned against Joseph due to plural marriage.
He conspired with others to publish the Nauvoo Expositor.
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Six months before his death the prophet Joseph said to a group of trusted friends, “I am exposed to far greater danger from traitors among ourselves than from enemies without, … and if I can escape from the ungrateful treachery of assassins I can live as Caesar might have lived were it not for a right hand Brutus…. All the enemies upon the face of the earth may roar and exert all their power to bring about my death; but they can accomplish nothing, unless some who are among us, enjoying our society, [who] have been with us in our Councils, participated in our confidence, taken us by the hand, called us brother, [and] saluted us with a kiss, join with our enemies, turn our virtues into faults, and by falsehood and deceit, stir up their wrath and indignation against us, and bring their united vengeance upon our heads.” And then he said, “Judas was one of the Twelve Apostles … and through his treachery, the crucifixion [of Christ] was brought about, and we have a Judas in our midst.” (source)
In this episode of Church History Matters, we discuss what we know about those trusted Church members who treacherously turned on Joseph Smith and conspired to bring about his death—one of whom, like Judas of old, was an apostle and counselor to the prophet.
Church History Matters