May 22, 1844
Smith v. Street: The case was dismissed at the plaintiffs' cost.
Legal Events
May 23, 1844
State v. Smith: A grand jury indicted Joseph Smith for perjury based on Robert D. Foster's oath that Joseph Smith had sworn a complaint to arrest Alexander Simpson for theft and assault of a Brother Richard Badham outside Nauvoo. (See State of Illinois v. Simpson, January 17, 1844.) Joseph Smith was so irate that he sent Orrin Porter Rockwell and Justice of the Peace Aaron Johnson to have Foster indicted for perjury. They arrived too late and the jury "had risen."
May 23, 1844
State v. Smith: A grand jury indicted Joseph Smith for adultery and fornication with Maria Lawrence "and other diverse women," based on William and Wilson Law's testimony. Joseph Smith considered suing him for perjury and slander on behalf of Maria Lawrence. Dropped the following day when the state's attorney pro-tem indicated that he would not prosecute the indictment.
May 24, 1844
State v. Smith: Grand jury issued an indictment against Joseph for "adultery and fornication" involving Maria Lawrence and other unnamed women, as well as the one for perjury. The suit abated on October 21, 1844, on account of death of Joseph Smith.
May 25, 1844
A grand jury indicted Joseph Smith for adultery with Maria Lawrence "and other diverse women," based on William Law's testimony. Joseph considered suing him for perjury and slander on behalf of Maria Lawrence.
May 25, 1844
Sidney Rigdon resigned as postmaster and recommended Joseph Smith as his successor.
May 27, 1844
Joseph Smith, accompanied by friends, went to Carthage, Illinois, to attend the circuit court in answer to perjury and adultery indictments against him.
May 27, 1844
Bostwick v. Smith: Defendant moved to have the case dismissed, and the motion was granted.
May 30, 1844
U.S. v. Jeremiah Smith: Chief Judge Joseph Smith and the municipal court discharged Jeremiah Smith on a habeas corpus writ despite a federal arrest for alleged fraud. The U.S. was ordered to pay costs. Joseph Smith tried to arrest the U.S. agent for disturbing the peace by threatening to bring federal troops into Nauvoo to seize the defendant and defy the court.
May 31, 1844
Joseph Smith administered to Sister Richards, who was sick. Joseph also issued a warrant for Thomas B. Johnson's arrest for threatening the peace of the city.
Pages
Read peer-reviewed articles about Joseph Smith and other Church history topics from BYU Studies. Visit byustudies.byu.edu.