Why did Joseph Smith run for President of the United States?

You may be familiar with Joseph Smith the prophet, but you may not be familiar with Joseph Smith the presidential candidate. In this episode, Dave talks about Joseph’s campaign and the council he organized to help run it.

Transcript of this episode and possibly additional notes on our website: [We’ll put a link here once we’ve published it]
The Church’s gospel topics essay on this topic: https://bit.ly/2QmPCn9
What was it like to be an electioneer for Joseph Smith? (BYU): https://bit.ly/33u9eLd
Views of the Power and Policy of the Government of the Unites States: https://bit.ly/38WEFPq
The Council of Fifty and Joseph Smith’s Presidential Ambitions (BYU): https://bit.ly/33uHWEK
Did Joseph Smith run for president because he was power-hungry?: https://bit.ly/2TWjbOo
More on the Council of Fifty: https://bit.ly/2ISZXTz
Insights Into the Minutes of the Council of Fifty (Matt Grow): https://bit.ly/3b1uM4s
Video of Susan Easton Black speaking on Joseph’s campaign: https://bit.ly/2wiMiCq

Notes:

-Joseph wrote to 5 up-and-coming presidential candidates. According to B.H. Roberts in “The Rise and Fall of Nauvoo,” only 2 candidates responded. But, according to the Church’s gospel topics essay on this subject, 3 candidates responded. So, which is correct? Margaret C. Robinson seems to have the answer in her paper, “The Campaign and the Kingdom: The Activities of the Electioneers in Joseph Smith’s Presidential Campaign.” She writes that,

“Cass, Clay, and Calhoun responded, but none offered the kind of response that Joseph Smith had hoped for. Cass’s reply is not in the History of the Church, and I have not found it, nor any reference to it except a brief mention that Joseph received a response from the politician. It would appear that Cass was not planning on helping the latter day saints.”

-Those present when Joseph Smith was nominated in his office were the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, John P. Green, and

-Joseph Smith’s journal entry for January 29, 1844: “At ten, a.m., the Twelve Apostles, together with Brother Hyrum and John P. Greene, met at the mayor’s office, to take into consideration the proper course for this people to pursue in relation to the coming Presidential election.

“The candidates for the office of President of the United States at present before the people are Martin VanBuren and Henry Clay. It is morally impossible for this people, in justice to themselves, to vote for the re-election of President Van Buren--a man who criminally neglected his duties as chief magistrate in the cold and unblushing manner which he did, when appealed to for aid in the Missouri difficulties. His heartless reply burns like a firebrand in the breast of every true friend of liberty--’Your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you.’

“As to Mr. Clay, his sentiments and cool contempt of the people’s rights are manifested in his reply--’You had better go to Oregon for redress,’ which would prohibit any true lover of our constitutional privileges from supporting him at the ballot-box.

“It was therefore moved by Willard Richards, and voted unanimously-- That we will have an independent electoral ticket, and that Joseph Smith be a candidate for the next Presidency; and that we use all honorable means in our power to secure his election.”

-Statement from Joseph Smith: “I would not have suffered my name to have been used by my friends on any wise as president of the United States or candidate for that office if I and my friends could have had the privilege of enjoying our religious and civil rights as American citizens” (Source: The Church’s gospel topics essay. Link in description).

-Excerpt from Matthew Grow’s presentation (link in description):

“Council members also attempted to write a constitution for the kingdom of God that would reflect the principles of theodemocracy. The council’s name, which was given in a revelation during the council meeting on 14 March 1844, suggests a mix of political purpose and religious symbolism: ‘The Kingdom of God and his Laws, with the keys and power thereof, and judgement in the hands of his servants. Ahman Christ.’ Council members often used an abbreviated form of this revealed name, referring to the council by such titles as the ‘Kingdom,’ ‘Kingdom of God,’ or “Council of the Kingdom of God.” After the council reached a membership of fifty men on April 18, 1844, Joseph Smith declared the council ‘full.’ Thereafter, it was often called the Council of Fifty.”

-Under Brigham Young’s presidency, the Council of Fifty eventually fell out of use (with a brief revival under President John Taylor for a few years).


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