The role of media in the ascension and/or destruction of tyrants. I checked for previous posts on this ex-mo forum pointing out the obvious, and indeed this topic was addressed over 7 years ago. The parallels dawned on me when I realized just how devoted my TBM family is to the Newsmax media (it is playing 24/7). In high school English class I got a heavy dose of a propaganda unit (1969) that I must have really enjoyed, because I seem to go back to it over and over again.

I asked AI to give me a history of this event.

The Nauvoo Expositor

By 1844, Smith was not just a religious leader but also the mayor of Nauvoo, the head of the Nauvoo Legion (a private militia), and a declared candidate for U.S. president. He had consolidated immense power, and with that came increasing opposition—including from former close followers.

The Nauvoo Expositor was a newspaper started by disaffected former Mormons, including William Law (a former counselor in the church’s First Presidency), his brother Wilson Law, Charles Foster, Robert Foster, and Francis Higbee. Their goal was to expose Smith’s secretive practice of plural marriage (polygamy) and his consolidation of power. Their first (and only) issue, published on June 7, 1844, made several accusations:

• That Smith was practicing polygamy in secret while publicly denying it.
• That he was acting as a dictator in Nauvoo, abusing political and military power.
• That he had proposed marriage to women already married to other men (polyandry), which they considered blatant adultery.

Smith’s Response: The Destruction of the Press

Smith and the Nauvoo City Council declared the paper a public nuisance, calling it libelous and a threat to public order. On June 10, 1844, Smith ordered the Nauvoo Legion to destroy the Nauvoo Expositor press and burn its remaining copies. This was a direct violation of the First Amendment and a highly illegal action.

Legal Fallout and Smith’s Arrest

The destruction of the press outraged non-Mormons and some Mormons alike. In response, authorities in Illinois issued a warrant for Smith’s arrest on charges of inciting a riot. At first, Smith declared martial law in Nauvoo and called for the Nauvoo Legion to defend the city, but under pressure from Illinois Governor Thomas Ford, he eventually surrendered and was taken to Carthage Jail along with his brother Hyrum.

Smith’s Guilt: Adultery and the Press

• Was he guilty of adultery?
  • Yes. He secretly took at least 33 wives, some of whom were already married to other men (polyandry)—something not even typical Mormon polygamy justified.
  • The Nauvoo Expositor was telling the truth about his behavior.
  • Even by Mormon theology, some of his proposals (such as to 14-year-old girls) were morally dubious.
• Was he guilty of destroying a free press?
  • Yes. The order to destroy the Nauvoo Expositor was illegal and a violation of freedom of the press, which deeply alarmed outsiders and led directly to his downfall.

Conclusion: Was Smith the "Bad Guy" in This Media Mess?

Yes, he was absolutely in the wrong—both historically and legally. His destruction of the press sealed his fate, showing he was willing to suppress speech and use his power unjustly. The accusations of adultery were accurate, and his legacy has been thoroughly debunked by historians and DNA evidence.

Ironically, modern Mormon apologists still try to soften these facts, Just like today’s political media battles, the divide between believers and non-believers continues to be shaped by selective storytelling and narrative control.