BYU ScholarsArchive

Article Title

Joseph Smith's Iowa Quest for Legal Assistance: His Letters to Edward Johnstone and Others on Sunday, June 23, 1844

Authors

John W. Welch, Brigham Young University

Keywords

Mormon studies, Joseph Smith, legal council, church history

Abstract

When Joseph and Hyrum Smith were threatened with arrest on June 22, 1844, they left Nauvoo, Illinois, and went across the Mississippi River in the very early morning hours of Sunday, June 23. As evidenced by the letters and records of that crucial day, Joseph and Hyrum were considering several options that pointed in divergent directions. Recently found sources give new information about a little-known and underestimated purpose for their midnight rowing across the Mississippi River to Montrose, Iowa—namely, to seek and retain the legal assistance of experienced lawyers necessary before submitting to a warrant requiring them to go to Carthage, Illinois.

Recommended Citation

Welch, John W. (2018) "Joseph Smith's Iowa Quest for Legal Assistance: His Letters to Edward Johnstone and Others on Sunday, June 23, 1844," BYU Studies Quarterly: Vol. 57: Iss. 3, Article 6.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol57/iss3/6