“Was Joseph Smith the Mayor of Nauvoo that closed the office and destroyed equipment, shutting down a free press in the US?” He was the mayor.
“Did Joseph Smith not command a standing extra legal militia, brought to ready after this incident, within the confines of the state of Illinois, without consent of the Governor, who commanded all militias within the state, which is an act of at least insubordination and a more accurately, especially considering the size of the force (over half the size of the standing US army at that time), treasonous? I offered up that the mob was wrong, but Smith was in jail for a reason. “ The Nauvoo legion was chartered by the State of Illinois. If that makes them “extra-legal” then we all have a problem.
“So let’s take this to its logical end. Are you now implying that violating the US Constitution is an answer, that activating a personal/municipal standing army without the advice and consent of the United States or Illinois Command structure is acceptable? Should the mayor of LA or New York be allowed to raise a military force at will? “
Lots of questions there. Who violated the US Constitution? Mayors activate their police forces all the time, don’t they?
The mayors of LA and New York both have military forces at their command today that are more powerful than the Nauvoo Legion ever was.
As often as the Saints were attacked by the so-called innocent people around them, mobilizing the legion would be a good thing.
None of these things were ever proven in a court of law because the good protestants of Carthage formed a nice little lynch mob. I understand they only broke up when somebody shouted “The Legion is coming”.
So, to most of your arguments, I can truly say that they are complete bloviation.
As for the rest, as I expect, not addressing Joseph Smith's actions is SOP.
He violated the Illinois Constitution, and while not directly addressed until the 14th Amendment, it is questionable if he violated the US Constitution just on ordering the Press closed and destroyed on its own. From that and the calling of the militia the Governor ordered his arrest. These are all matter of public record and easily researched. Just because there was no trial, does not mean he was innocent, especially when such actions were admitted and on record. Like I said earlier, the greatest injustice was that he WAS NOT tried.
Anyways, this so called “innocence” was very much a two way street, but I know, the “saint's” never did anything wrong or questionable. Sure is odd that for such a put upon people, while their leadership moved around a lot, one step ahead of trouble it seems, the rank and file usually stayed behind (Missouri, Illinois etc.) and enjoyed some peace once the big boys were gone
On a personal note I was concerned responding to you in a direct and fair way would be a waste of time, but I am pleased for some reason. Perhaps you meeting expectations helped.
MOST??
And the rest are right on I assume; since you did not mention them.