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Mormonism and Wikipedia/Joseph Smith, Jr./Death
| 1839 - 1844 | A FairMormon Analysis of Wikipedia: Mormonism and Wikipedia/Joseph Smith, Jr. A work by a collaboration of authors (Link to Wikipedia article here)
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An analysis of Wikipedia article "Joseph Smith, Jr."
Reviews of previous revisions of this section
Death Updated 7/6/2010
From the Wikipedia article:
By the spring of 1844, a rift had developed between Smith and a half dozen of his closest associates,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , pp. 527–28.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
most notably his trusted counselor William Law and Robert Foster, a general of the Nauvoo Legion.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 368 (noting that Law and Foster were also the chief city contractors); Bushman (2005) , p. 528 (noting that Law had been was a member of the Anointed Quorum); Quinn (1994) , p. 528 (Law was criticized in 1843 and then dropped from the Anointed Quorum in January 1844, but after being defended by Hiram Smith, rejected an April 1844 offer by Joseph Smith to be restored to church positions if he stopped opposing polygamy).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Law and Foster disagreed with Smith about how to manage Nauvoo's theocratic economy,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , pp. 368–69 (Law believed that Smith was misappropriating donations for the Nauvoo House hotel and neglecting other building projects despite the acute housing shortage, while Smith had no respect for building projects by Law and Foster.); Ostling (Ostling) , p. 14.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
and both believed Smith had proposed marriage to their wives.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) ("With sorrow and suspicion Law watched Joseph ever enlarging his circle of wives. Then the prophet tried to approach Law's own wife, Jane." (p. 369); Robert D. Foster came home and caught Smith having dinner alone with his wife, and after a confrontation where weapons were drawn, Mrs. Foster fainted and then said Smith had proposed to her (p. 371)); Van Wagoner (1992) , p. 39; Ostling (Ostling) , p. 14; Bushman (2005) , pp. 660–61 (noting that Smith claimed that Jane Law had proposed to him (660–61), citing Journal of Alexander Neibaur, 24 May 1844 (Smith claimed that Jane Law lured him into her house alone, embraced him, and proposed to him, but that Smith resisted her advances); also noting that Smith confronted Mrs. Foster with two witnesses and got her to say that during their dinner, Smith had made no sexual advances and had not "preached the spiritual wife doctrine" (530–31).)).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
After the dissidents organized, and one of them was heard predicting an uprising in Nauvoo,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 371; Bushman (2005) , p. 530; Williams, A.B., Affidavit off-site (Affidavit stating, "Joseph H. Jackson said that Doctor Foster, Chauncy Higbee and the Laws were red-hot for a conspiracy, and he should not be surprised if in two weeks there should be not one of the Smith family left in Nauvoo").
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Smith excommunicated them on April 18, 1844.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 531.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
The dissidents formed a competing church
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman 2005 531
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
and the following month procured grand jury indictments against Smith for polygamy and other crimes in Carthage, the county seat.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 373.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
In response, Smith and his followers unleashed a barrage of defamation against the dissidents,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie 1971 373
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
and in a public sermon, Smith vehemently denied he had more than one wife.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 373; Bushman (2005) , p. 538 (arguing that Smith may have felt justified denying polygamy and "spiritual wifeism" because he thought it was based on a different principle than "plural marriage"); Roberts (1912) , pp. 408–412 (Smith stated, "I had not been married scarcely five minutes, and made one proclamation of the Gospel, before it was reported that I had seven wives....I have rattled chains before in a dungeon for truth's sake. I am innocent of all these charges, and you can bear witness of my innocence, for you know me yourselves....What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when I can only find one. I am the same man, and as innocent as I was fourteen years ago; and I can prove them all perjurers." "This new holy prophet [Law] has gone to Carthage and swore that I had told him that I was guilty of adultery. This spiritual wifeism! Why, a man dares not speak or wink, for fear of being accused of this").
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
After the dissidents published a prospectus for a new newspaper that referred to Smith as a "self-constituted monarch,"
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , p. 137–38 (noting that the prospectus was published May 10, 1844, and that an informant within the Council of Fifty had told Law about Smith's ordination as king).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
the Council of Fifty offered to reinstate Law, but he refused to return to the church unless it renounced polygamy.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , p. 138 (noting that the offer was presented by Sidney Rigdon, who did not have authority to concede polygamy).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Therefore, on June 7, 1844, the dissidents published the first and only issue of the Nauvoo Expositor, calling for reform within the church.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 539; Brodie (1971) , pp. 374 (arguing that given its authors' intentions to reform the church, the paper was "extraordinarily restrained" given the explosive allegations it could have raised).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
The paper decried polygamy and Smith's new "doctrines of many Gods" (taught recently in his King Follet discourse)
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 539; Brodie (1971) , pp. 374–75.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
and alluded to Smith's kingship,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , pp. 375 (stating that the Expositor contained "an unmistakable allusion to Joseph's kingship"); Quinn (1994) , pp. 139; Marquardt (2005) ;Marquardt (1999) , p. 312.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
promising to present evidence of its allegations in succeeding issues.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , pp. 139 (noting that the publishers intended to emphasize the details of Smith's delectable plan of government" in later issues).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
At a meeting of the Nauvoo city council, Smith again denied that the church was practicing polygamy.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 377 (Smith declared that the 1843 revelation on polygamy referred to in the Expositor "was in answer to a question concerning things which transpired in former days, and had no reference to the present time").
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
On the theory that the paper threatened to bring the countryside down on the Mormons,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 340–41.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
the council ordered the Nauvoo Legion to destroy the Expositor's printing press as a public nuisance.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 540; Brodie (1971) , p. 377; Marquardt (2005) ; Marquardt (1999) , p. 312.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Smith failed to foresee that suppressing the paper would sooner incite riots than allowing it to continue publishing.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 541 (Smith "failed to see that suppression of the paper was far more likely to arouse a mob than the libels. It was a fatal mistake.").
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Destruction of the newspaper provoked a strident call to arms by Thomas C. Sharp, editor of the Warsaw Signal.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Warsaw Signal, June 14, 1844. ("Citizens arise, one and all!!! Can you stand by, and suffer such Infernal Devils! to rob men of their property and rights without avenging them. We have no time for comment, every man will make his own. Let it be made with Powder and Ball!!!."
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Fearing an uprising, Smith mobilized the Nauvoo Legion on June 18 and declared martial law. Carthage responded by mobilizing its small detachment of the state militia, and Illinois Governor Thomas Ford appeared, threatening to raise a larger militia unless Smith and the Nauvoo city council surrendered themselves.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Ostling (Ostling) , p. 16.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
After instructing his clerk to hide or destroy the minutes of the Council of Fifty and ordering the Anointed Quorum to burn their temple garments,
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , pp. 140, 145–46.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Smith fled across the Mississippi River. Nevertheless, under pressure from Emma and other Saints, he returned and surrendered to Ford. On June 23, Smith and his brother Hyrum were taken to Carthage to stand trial for inciting a riot.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Ostlings, 17; Bushman, 546. Eight Mormon leaders accompanied Smith to Carthage: Hyrum Smith, John Taylor, Willard Richards, John P. Greene, Stephen Markham, Dan Jones, John S. Fullmer, Dr. Southwick, and Lorenzo D. Wasson. [1] All of Smith's associates left the jail, except his brother Hyrum, Richards and Taylor.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Once the Smiths were in custody, the charges were increased to treason against Illinois.
Wikipedia footnotes:
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Smith and Hyrum were held in Carthage Jail.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Joseph and Hyrum were accompanied in jail by John Taylor (Mormon) and Dr. Willard Richards, who were not prisoners.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
On the morning of 27 June 1844, Smith sent a letter ordering the Nauvoo Legion to attack Carthage and free him, but the acting commander quietly disobeyed the order.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Quinn (1994) , p. 141 (Major General Jonathan Dunham "realized that such an assault by the Nauvoo Legion would result in two blood baths").
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Later that day, an armed group with blackened faces stormed the jail and killed Hyrum instantly with a shot to the face.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 550 ("Hyrum was the first to fall. A ball through the door struck him on the left side of the nose, throwing him to the floor.")
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Smith fought back with a pepper-box pistol that had been smuggled into the prison
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , p. 393 ("Joseph discharging all six barrels down the passageway. Three of them missed fire, but the other three found marks."); Bushman (2005) , p. 549 (Smith received a smuggled six-shooter, and passed along a single-shot pistol to Hyrum).
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
but was shot while jumping from a window, then shot and killed as he lay on the ground.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Brodie (1971) , pp. 393–94; Bushman (2005) .
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Smith was buried in Nauvoo.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Arrington and Bitton, 82; Remini, 174-75.
FAIR's analysis:
From the Wikipedia article:
Five men were tried for his murder; all were acquitted.
Wikipedia footnotes:
- Bushman (2005) , p. 552.
FAIR's analysis:
References
| Wikipedia references for "Joseph Smith, Jr." |
- Abanes, Richard, (2003), One Nation Under Gods: A History of the Mormon Church Thunder's Mouth Press
- Allen, James B., The Significance of Joseph Smith's "First Vision" in Mormon Thought off-site .
- (1992), The Mormon Experience University of Illinois Press .
- (1980), The Lion and the Lady: Brigham Young and Emma Smith off-site .
- Bergera, Gary James (editor) (1989), Line Upon Line: Essays on Mormon Doctrine Signature Books .
- Bloom, Harold, (1992), The American Religion: The Emergence of the Post-Christian Nation Simon & Schuster .
- Booth, Ezra, Mormonism—Nos. VIII–IX (Letters to the editor) off-site .
- Brodie, Fawn M., (1971), No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith Knopf .
- Brooke, , (1994), The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644–1844 Cambridge University Press .
- Bushman, Richard Lyman, (2005), Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling , New York: Knopf .
- Clark, John A., (1842), Gleanings by the Way , Philadelphia: W.J. & J.K Simmon off-site .
- Compton, Todd, (1997), In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith Signature Books .
- Foster, Lawrence, (1981), Religion and Sexuality: The Shakers, the Mormons, and the Oneida Community , New York: Oxford University Press .
- Harris, Martin, (1859), Mormonism—No. II off-site .
- Hill, Donna, (1977), Joseph Smith: The first Mormon , Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Co. .
- Hill, Marvin S., (1976), Joseph Smith and the 1826 Trial: New Evidence and New Difficulties off-site .
- Hill, Marvin S., (1989), Quest for Refuge: The Mormon Flight from American Pluralism Signature Books off-site .
- Howe, Eber Dudley, (1834), Mormonism Unvailed: Or, A Faithful Account of that Singular Imposition and Delusion, from its Rise to the Present Time , Painesville, Ohio: Telegraph Press off-site .
- Hullinger, Robert N., (1992), Joseph Smith's Response to Skepticism Signature Books off-site .
- Jessee, Dean, (1976), Joseph Knight's Recollection of Early Mormon History off-site .
- Lapham, [La]Fayette, (1870), Interview with the Father of Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, Forty Years Ago. His Account of the Finding of the Sacred Plates off-site .
- Larson, Stan, (1978), The King Follett Discourse: A Newly Amalgamated Text off-site .
- Mormon History off-site .
- Mack, Solomon, (1811), A Narraitve [sic] of the Life of Solomon Mack Windsor: Solomon Mack off-site .
- (1994), Inventing Mormonism Signature Books .
- Marquardt, H. Michael, (1999), The Joseph Smith Revelations: Text and Commentary Signature Books .
- Marquardt, H. Michael, (2005), The Rise of Mormonism: 1816–1844 Xulon Press .
- Matzko, John, (2007), The Encounter of the Young Joseph Smith with Presbyterianism off-site .
- Morgan, Dale, Walker, John Phillip (editor) (1986), Dale Morgan on Early Mormonism: Correspondence and a New History Signature Books off-site .
- (2008), Joseph Smith Jr.: reappraisals after two centuries Oxford University Press .
- Newell, Linda King, (1994), Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith University of Illinois Press .
- (1999), Mormon America: The Power and the Promise HarperSanFrancisco .
- Persuitte, David, (2000), Joseph Smith and the origins of the Book of Mormon McFarland & Co. .
- Phelps, W.W. (editor) (1833), A Book of Commandments, for the Government of the Church of Christ , Zion: William Wines Phelps & Co. off-site .
- Prince, Gregory A, (1995), Power From On High: The Development of Mormon Priesthood Signature Books .
- Quinn, D. Michael, (1994), The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power Signature Books .
- Quinn, D. Michael, (1998), Early Mormonism and the Magic World View Signature Books .
- Remini, , (2002), Joseph Smith: A Penguin Life Penguin Group .
- Roberts, B. H. (editor) (1902), History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Salt Lake City: Deseret News off-site .
- Roberts, B. H. (editor) (1904), History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Salt Lake City: Deseret News off-site .
- Roberts, B. H. (editor) (1905), History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Salt Lake City: Deseret News off-site .
- Roberts, B. H. (editor) (1909), History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Salt Lake City: Deseret News off-site .
- Shipps, Jan, (1985), Mormonism: The Story of a New Religious Tradition University of Illinois Press .
- Smith, George D., (1994), Nauvoo Roots of Mormon Polygamy, 1841–46: A Preliminary Demographic Report off-site .
- Smith, George D, (2008), Nauvoo Polygamy: "...but we called it celestial marriage" Signature Books .
- Smith, Joseph, Jr., (1830), The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon, Upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi , Palmyra, New York: E. B. Grandin off-site . See Book of Mormon.
- Smith, Joseph, Jr., Jessee, Dean C (editor) (1832), Personal Writings of Joseph Smith , Salt Lake City: Deseret Book .
- Jessee, Dean C (editor) (1839–1843), Personal Writings of Joseph Smith Deseret Book .
- (1835), Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God , Kirtland, Ohio: F. G. Williams & Co off-site . See Doctrine and Covenants.
- Smith, Joseph, Jr., Church History [Wentworth Letter] off-site . See Wentworth letter.
- Smith, Lucy Mack, (1853), Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and His Progenitors for Many Generations , Liverpool: S.W. Richards off-site . See The History of Joseph Smith by His Mother
- Tucker, Pomeroy, (1867), Origin, Rise and Progress of Mormonism , New York: D. Appleton off-site .
- Turner, Orsamus, (1852), History of the Pioneer Settlement of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, and Morris' Reserve , Rochester, New York: William Alling off-site .
- Joseph Smith: The Gift of Seeing off-site .
- Van Wagoner, Richard S., (1992), Mormon Polygamy: A History Signature Books .
- Vogel, Dan, (1994), The Locations of Joseph Smith's Early Treasure Quests off-site .
- Vogel, Dan, (2004), Joseph Smith: The Making of a Prophet Signature Books .
- Widmer, Kurt, (2000), Mormonism and the Nature of God: A Theological Evolution, 1830–1915 McFarland .
Further reading
Mormonism and Wikipedia
FairMormon's approach to Wikipedia articles
FairMormon regularly receives queries about specific LDS-themed Wikipedia articles with requests that we somehow "fix" them. Although some individual members of FAIR may choose to edit Wikipedia articles, FairMormon as an organization does not. Controversial Wikipedia articles require constant maintenance and a significant amount of time. We prefer instead to respond to claims in the FAIR Wiki rather than fight the ongoing battle that LDS Wikipedia articles sometimes invite. From FAIR’s perspective, assertions made in LDS-themed Wikipedia articles are therefore treated just like any other critical (or, if one prefers, "anti-Mormon") work. As those articles are revised and updated, we will periodically update our reviews to match.
Who can edit Wikipedia articles?
Editors who wish to participate in editing LDS-themed Wikipedia articles can access the project page here: Wikipedia:WikiProject Latter Day Saint movement. You are not required to be LDS in order to participate—there are a number of good non-LDS editors who have made valuable contributions to these articles.
Recommendations when editing Wikipedia articles
FAIR does not advocate removing any references from Wikipedia articles. The best approach to editing Wikipedia is to locate solid references to back up your position and add them rather than attempting to remove information. Individuals who intend to edit should be aware that posting information related to the real-world identities of Wikipedia editors will result in their being banned from editing Wikipedia. Attacking editors and attempting to "out" them on Wikipedia is considered very bad form. The best approach is to treat all Wikipedia editors, whether or not you agree or disagree with their approach, with respect and civility. An argumentative approach is not constructive to achieving a positive result, and will simply result in what is called an "edit war." Unfortunately, not all Wikipedia editors exhibit good faith toward other editors (see, for example, the comment above from "Duke53" or comments within these reviews made by John Foxe's sockpuppet "Hi540," both of whom repeatedly mocked LDS beliefs and LDS editors prior to their being banned.)
Do LDS editors control Wikipedia?
Although there exist editors on Wikipedia who openly declare their affiliation with the Church, they do not control Wikipedia. Ironically, some critics of the Church periodically falsely accuse Wikipedia editors of being LDS simply because they do not accept the critics' desired spin on a particular article.
Do "anti-Mormons" control Wikipedia?
Again, the answer is no. The truth is that Wikipedia is generally self-policing. Highly contentious articles do tend to draw the most passionate supporters and critics.
Why do certain LDS articles seem to be so negative?
Although some LDS-related Wikipedia articles may appear to have a negative tone, they are in reality quite a bit more balanced than certain critical works such as One Nation Under Gods. Although many critical editors often accuse LDS-related Wikipedia articles of being "faith promoting" or claim that they are just an extension of the Sunday School manual, this is rarely the case. Few, if any, Latter-day Saints would find Wikipedia articles to be "faith promoting." Generally, the believers think that the articles are too negative and the critics believe that the articles are too positive. LDS Wikipedia articles should be informative without being overtly faith promoting. However, most of the primary sources, including the words of Joseph Smith himself, are "faith promoting." This presents a dilemma for Wikipedia editors who want to remain neutral. The unfortunate consequence is that Joseph's words are rewritten and intermixed with contradictory sources, resulting in boring and confusing prose.
We examine selected Wikipedia articles and examine them on a "claim-by-claim" basis, with links to responses in the FairMormon Answers Wiki. Wikipedia articles are constantly evolving. As a result, the analysis of each article will be updated periodically in order to bring it more into line with the current version of the article. The latest revision date may be viewed at the top of each individual section. The process by which Wikipedia articles are reviewed is the following:
- Update each Wikipedia passage and its associated footnotes.
- Examine the use of sources and determine whether or not the passage accurately represents the source used.
- Provide links to response articles within the FairMormon Answers Wiki.
- If violation of Wikipedia rules is discovered, identify which Wikipedia editor (by pseudonym) made the edit, provide a description of the rule violated and a link to the Wikipedia "diff" showing the actual edit.
- If a violated rule is later corrected in a subsequent revision, the violation is removed and a notation is added that the passage is correct per cited sources. This doesn't mean that FAIR necessarily agrees with the passage—only that it is correct based upon the source used.
Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship, "Mormonism and Wikipedia: The Church History That “Anyone Can Edit”"
Roger Nicholson, Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship, (2012)The ability to quickly and easily access literature critical of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been made significantly easier through the advent of the Internet. One of the primary sites that dominates search engine results is Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia that “anyone can edit.” Wikipedia contains a large number of articles related to Mormonism that are edited by believers, critics, and neutral parties. The reliability of information regarding the Church and its history is subject to the biases of the editors who choose to modify those articles. Even if a wiki article is thoroughly sourced, editors sometimes employ source material in a manner that supports their bias. This essay explores the dynamics behind the creation of Wikipedia articles about the Church, the role that believers and critics play in that process, and the reliability of the information produced in the resulting wiki articles.
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