Welcome to Part 33 of our series with historian John G. Turner, based on his landmark biography Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.
In this episode, we dive into Chapter 26 (titled “David”) and explore one of the most controversial patterns in Joseph Smith’s leadership: how he responded when trusted insiders became vocal critics.
As pressure mounted from Missouri over the attempted assassination of Lilburn Boggs, Joseph faced internal dissent from figures like John C. Bennett and Orson Pratt. We examine the fallout surrounding Sarah Pratt, the publication of the so-called “Happiness Letter,” and the devastating public denunciation that followed.
Was Joseph defending himself from slander? Or was he fighting dirty in the press?
Today we discuss the allegations surrounding Nancy Rigdon and Sarah Pratt, Joseph’s public rebukes and “Judas” comparisons, the (embarrassing) re-baptism of the Pratts, the role of Brigham Young in publicly acknowledging plural marriage, the publication of John C. Bennett, Joseph’s legal maneuvers to avoid extradition, his complicated and evolving stance on slavery, and the larger pattern of character assassination within early Mormonism.
We also explore Joseph’s interaction with Illinois Governor Thomas Ford, the power of the Nauvoo Charter, and the increasingly emboldened posture of the church leadership as dissent intensified.
This is a complex and uncomfortable chapter –one that forces us to wrestle with competing testimonies, public smears, loyalty under pressure, and the high cost of dissent.
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Purchase John Turner’s book here: https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300255164/joseph-smith/
2 Responses
Hi John, I like to comment here if you don’t mind. I could read your thoughts at about the 22-3 minute mark where you and John T. were questioning why the Pratts remained in the church. I have some thoughts that may explain it. We, going on 200 yrs. later, have the 30,000 ft view of things. We have hundreds of data points that indicate Joseph made it all up while none of the members at that time had any of those evidences that would allow them to question his claims. Also, I believe people were more credulous then. They were already invested in the restoration and gathering narrative, so much so that leaving at this point was extremely difficult. The Book of Mormon was to the early saints a powerful point of persuasion. Also, it is evident that Joseph possessed some sort of phenomenal charismatic almost hypnotic ability to convince others of his claims. I have been watching your interviews since about 2008 and have watched perhaps 6-800 of them. I have read 50-60 books on Mormon History. I began with the Tanners work before Mormon Stories. I am married to a very devout Mormon wife who’s ancestors include many names you would recognize going all the way back to the Knight family. She is a very good woman and wife to me even though I am a card carrying anti Mormon. I wouldn’t want to be the one to take her faith in Mormonism away from her even if I could because it means too much to her. We have been polarized over our differences most of our married life and half of our five children don’t believe or attend. I served a mission in Japan from 1979-81 under D. Groberg where there were a lot of what you would call “baseball” baptisms. Regardless I believe he, my mission president, was a good man. I would love the opportunity to talk to you some time but not on Mormon Stories. I don’t think I would present well.
I want to comment on Nancy Rigdon and her character. I read in one of my many books and I don’t remember which one that Nancy was believed by all who knew her and in her ward where she attended that her character was unimpeachable. No one doubted her when she asserted that she had no illicit conduct with anyone. I believe this to be the case.