History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

170
THE STORY OF MORMONISM.
suits and counter-suits at law; arrests and rearrests;
schisms, apostasies, and expulsions; charges one against
another of vice and immorality, Joseph himself being
implicated. Here was one elder unlawfully trying
his hand at revelations, and another preaching polygamy.
Many there v/ere whom it was necessary not
only to cut off from the church, but to eradicate with
their evil influences from society. Among the prophet's
most inveterate enemies were William Law, who
sought to betray Smith into the hands of the Missourians,
and almost succeeded—Doctor Foster and
Francis M. Higbee, who dealt in scandal, charging
Joseph, Hyrum, Sidney, and others with seducing
women, and having more wives than one. Suits of
this kind brought by the brethren against each other,
but more particularly by the leaders against high
officials, were pending in the Nauvoo municipal court
for over two years.
Early in June 1844 was issued the first number of
the Nauvoo Expositor, the publishers being apostate
Mormons and gentiles. 26 The primary object of the
publication was to stir up strife in the church, and
aid its enemies in their work of attempted extermination.
Its columns were at once filled with foul abuse
of the prophet and certain elders of the church,
assailing their character by means of affidavits, and
charging them with all manner of public and private
crimes, and abusing and misrepresenting the people.
The city council met, and pronouncing the journal
a nuisance, ordered its abatement. Joseph Smith
being mayor, it devolved on him to see the order
executed, and he issued instruction to the city marshal
and the policemen accordingly. The officers
of the law forthwith entered the premises, and de-
26 In Iiemy's Jour, to G. S. Lahe City, i. 3S8, it is stated that, among others,
a renegade catholic priest, J. H. Jackson hy name, ' conceived the idea of
starting at Nauvoo a newspaper called the Exptositor, with the avowed object
of opposing the Mormons.' I find no confirmation of this statement. The
first number of the Nauvoo Neighbor had been issued May 3, 1S43, in place
of the Wasp, suspended.