One known exception occurred in January 1844 when members of Nauvoo’s third ward petitioned JS to grant Samuel Musick a license to sell liquor within their ward’s boundaries, which constituted the southeast portion of Nauvoo. (Petition from Ebenezer Jennings and Others, 17 Jan. 1844.)

In March 1843 Rockwell was arrested in St. Louis for allegedly attempting to assassinate former Missouri governor Lilburn W. Boggs. He was imprisoned in Missouri until December 1843. (“Part 1: March 1843”; JS, Journal, 25 Dec. 1843.)

JS's son Joseph Smith III recalled that there was a bar in the Nauvoo Mansion in “the main room where the guests assembled and where they were received upon arrival.” This bar was fully equipped with a “counter, shelves, bottles, glasses, and other paraphernalia,” and Rockwell served as the bartender. This establishment had been set up in Emma Smith’s absence, and upon her return she insisted that it be removed. JS explained to her Rockwell’s situation and told her that “a place was being prepared for him just across the street, where he would run a barber shop with a bar in connection” and that the arrangement in the Nauvoo Mansion was only temporary. Emma, however, was unmoved, and JS subsequently removed the bar from his home. This had occurred by May 1844, when Josiah Quincy visited Nauvoo. He reported that “on the right hand, as we entered the house [Nauvoo Mansion], was a small and very comfortless-looking bar-room; all the more comfortless, perchance, from its being a dry bar-room.” (Mary Audentia Smith Anderson, “The Memoirs of President Joseph Smith,” Saints’ Herald, 22 Jan. 1935, 110; Quincy, Figures of the Past, 382.)

Saints’ Herald. Independence, MO. 1860–.

Quincy, Josiah. Figures of the Past: From the Leaves of Old Journals. Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1883.

One of JS’s responsibilities as mayor of Nauvoo was to act as a judge. In this capacity he served as a conservator of the peace and had original jurisdiction for “all cases arising under the ordinances” of the city. (Act to Incorporate the City of Nauvoo, 16 Dec. 1840.)

Emmons was elected to the Nauvoo City Council in February 1843. (“City Election,” Wasp, 8 Feb. 1843, [2].)

The Wasp. Nauvoo, IL. Apr. 1842–Apr. 1843.

TEXT: Willard Richards wrote and canceled “and A”, then wrote “first 〈of〉 Nuisances”, and then canceled it.

William and Wilson Law.

Turley was a blacksmith. Bogus was another name for counterfeit coins. (See “Argument to Argument Where I Find It; Ridicule to Ridicule, and Scorn to Scorn,” Elders’ Journal, Aug. 1838, 58.)

The published version of the city council minutes renders this word as “brother,” a reference to Charles A. Foster. (“For the Neighbor,” Nauvoo Neighbor, Extra, 17 June 1844, [1].)

Francis M. and Chauncey L. Higbee.

The published version of the city council minutes renders this passage as follows: “while his brother Joseph was under arrest, from the Missouri persecution.” Missouri officials attempted three times to have JS extradited from Illinois to answer charges for alleged crimes related to the 1838 conflict between the Latter-day Saints and their neighbors in Missouri. Illinois law officers detained JS in relation to these attempts in June 1841, August and December 1842, and June 1843. It is unclear which arrest is referred to here. (“For the Neighbor,” Nauvoo Neighbor, Extra, 17 June 1844, [1]; “The Late Proceedings,” Times and Seasons, 15 June 1841, 2:447; “Missouri vs Joseph Smith,” Times and Seasons, 1 July 1843, 4:241–242; Historical Introduction to Extradition of JS et al. for Treason and Other Crimes; Historical Introduction to Extradition of JS for Accessory to Assault; Historical Introduction to Extradition of JS for Treason.)

Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.

To ride someone on a rail meant “to carry or parade a person astride a rail as a punishment.” (“Rail,” in Oxford English Dictionary, online ed.)

Oxford English Dictionary. Compact ed. 2 vols. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1971.

The published version of the city council minutes adds “on account of their oppressing the poor.” (“For the Neighbor,” Nauvoo Neighbor, Extra, 17 June 1844, [1].)

The published version of the city council minutes renders this passage as follows: “Mayor said, while he was under arrest by writ from Gov. Carlin.” JS was arrested in June 1841 and August 1842 based on writs issued by Illinois governor Thomas Carlin. (“For the Neighbor,” Nauvoo Neighbor, Extra, 17 June 1844, [1]; Historical Introduction to Extradition of JS et al. for Treason and Other Crimes; Historical Introduction to Extradition of JS for Accessory to Assault.)

Jackson visited Nauvoo in fall 1842. He later claimed that during this visit he was told that he “was regarded with distrust” by JS and “marked down accordingly as a spy.” Jackson also claimed that while he was in Nauvoo an attempt was made on his life, which he believed JS instigated. Jackson moved to Nauvoo from Carthage, Illinois, sometime in spring 1843. He claimed he did so to gain JS’s favor and find out “if he really was a villain.” If JS was a villain, Jackson planned to tell what he discovered to Harmon T. Wilson, a constable in Hancock County, Illinois, so that Wilson “might have an opportunity to bring the scamp to justice.” On 20 May 1843, JS hired Jackson to sell land for him. William Clayton wrote in his journal that JS said that “Jackson appears a fine & noble fellow but is reduced in circumstances.” Clayton further stated that JS felt “disposed to employ him & give him a chance in the world.” Three days later, however, JS’s view of Jackson had changed. Clayton noted in his journal on 23 May that JS said Jackson was “rotten hearted.” (Joseph H. Jackson, “Startling Disclosures,” Warsaw [IL] Signal, 5 June 1844, [2]; Clayton, Journal, 20 and 23 May 1843.)

Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

The published version of the city council minutes renders this passage as follows: “Wm. Law, had offered Jackson, $500,00 to kill him.” (“For the Neighbor,” Nauvoo Neighbor, Extra, 17 June 1844, [1].)

The published version of the city council minutes renders this passage as follows: “Councillor, H. Smith, continued, Jackson, told him, he (Jackson,) meant to have his daughter; and threatened him if he made any resistance. Jackson, related to him a dream; that Joseph and Hyrum were opposed to him, but that he would execute his purposes.” (“For the Neighbor,” Nauvoo Neighbor, Extra, 17 June 1844, [1].)

Lucy Mack Smith reported that Hyrum Smith had refused to allow Jackson to marry his oldest daughter, Lovina. Jackson subsequently appealed to JS, who declined to intervene in Jackson’s behalf. Having been rebuffed, Jackson allegedly sought the assistance of William Law “in stealing Lovina from her father.” (Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1845, 308.)

The published version of the city council minutes rendered this passage as follows: “referred to the revelation, read to the High Council of the Church, which has caused so much talk about a multiplicity of wives.” JS dictated the revelation in question to his private clerk, William Clayton, on 12 July 1843. Clayton explained that the revelation consisted “of 10 pages on the order of the priesthood, showing the designs in Moses, Abraham, David and Solomon having many wives & concubines &c.” Hyrum Smith read the revelation to the Nauvoo high council in August 1843. (“For the Neighbor,” Nauvoo Neighbor, Extra, 17 June 1844, [1]; JS, Journal, 12 July 1843; Clayton, Journal, 12 July 1843; Clayton, History of the Nauvoo Temple, 31; “Affidavits,” Nauvoo Expositor, 7 June 1844, [2]; Revelation, 12 July 1843 [D&C 132].)

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Clayton, William. History of the Nauvoo Temple, ca. 1845. CHL. MS 3365.

Church member Alexander Neibaur recorded in his journal a conversation with JS about William Law on 24 May 1844. Neibaur explained that Law “wisht to be Married to his Wife for Eternity,” and JS “said [he] would Inquire of the Lord.” JS then explained that he received a negative answer to his prayer “because Law was a Adulterrous person.” In a later account, John Taylor recalled that Law had “illicit intercourse contrary to all law, in his own house with a Young Lady resident with him.” (Neibaur, Journal, 24 May 1844; John Taylor, Statement, 23 Aug. 1856, 3, Historian’s Office, JS History, Draft Notes, CHL.)

Neibaur, Alexander. Journal, 1841–1862. CHL. MS 1674.