Joseph Smith's Views on Government (1886)

This is an 1886 reprint of information given throughout the country by missionaries to promote Joseph Smith as a third-party candidate in 1844 for the presidency of the United States. His views on slavery, prisons, a national bank, and statesmanship in general, are included with his letters and rejoinders to the two most prominent presidential contenders: John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay. Added also is his pointed letter to former President Martin Van Buren. Distributed by Latter-day Saint missionaries throughout the United States as part of Joseph Smith's own bid for the presidency, this booklet emphasized the Prophet's view that the federal government should have intervened on behalf of the Saints following the mobbing and plundering in Missouri and given redress to the Saints for their losses. Because of the tragic experiences of Church members and the "wishy-washy" replies of Calhoun and Clay, Joseph Smith was not only candid in his own views, but quick to point out weaknesses in national political opinion and, particularly, character traits and former voting records of the presidential candidates. 47 pages