Nauvoo Expositor
Joseph Smith Chronology, pg. 228; “June 11, 1844 Joseph issues a proclamation stating that he has destroyed the Nauvoo Expositor, which he considered a nuisance (and therefore had the legal right to destroy, just as he would any nuisance).”
Psalm 73:3-8; “For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. 6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.”
This is known as terrorism today. Is this how a real prophet of God behaves?
While on missions to the Nauvoo Pageant in 2005 I took the Carthage Jail tour administered by the Church. Our tour guide was a young LDS female who was serving on her 18 month mission. I asked her what gave Joseph Smith the right to burn down the Nauvoo Expositor and she stood there with her hands on her hips and proclaimed: “Well, they were “anti’s”.”
My heart was and still is so sad for this young girl. When is it ever condoned by God to burn someone’s business down just because YOU don’t agree with them? And why don’t the Mormon people investigate the whole story for themselves instead of just believing everything they’re told? Where is their discernment?
The Expositor was reporting the local news by telling the public what Smith had been doing in and around Nauvoo. Smith was mayor and took it upon himself to be judge, jury and executioner of what he thought was a “nuisance”. The dog that lives up the street from me is a nuisance so would I be justified by killing it?
Joe Smith liked to tell people how much he loved America, but his actions proved otherwise. Again, what prophet of God has ever acted out in violence towards innocent people?