Who was NOT one of the "traitors" and "wicked men" in the conspiracy discussed in this section?
Final answer: Thomas Marsh was not one of the conspirators involved in the arrest and subsequent killing of Joseph Smith, according to Doctrine and Covenants 135.
The Conspirators
Doctrine and Covenants 135 describes the arrest and confinement of Joseph Smith in jail, attributing it to a conspiracy by traitors and wicked men. The individuals implicated in the conspiracy included Robert Foster, Wilson Law, William Law, Charles Foster, Chauncey Higbee, and Francis Higbee. However, one notable name omitted from this list is Thomas Marsh.
Thomas Marsh's Distancing
Thomas Marsh had distanced himself from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before the events leading to Joseph Smith's death. He had been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles but left the church in 1838 due to disagreements and conflicts. Marsh's absence from the group of traitors and wicked men in the conspiracy acknowledged in Doctrine and Covenants 135 underscores his disassociation from the antagonistic actions taken against Joseph Smith.
Non-Involvement in the Events
At the time of Smith's arrest and subsequent death, Thomas Marsh was living separately from the main body of the Latter-day Saints and was not directly implicated in the events at Carthage Jail. His absence from the list of conspirators illustrates that he was not actively involved in the betrayal and attack on Joseph Smith.
The Aftermath
Following Joseph Smith's death, Thomas Marsh did not return to the church and maintained his distance from the religious community. His decision to separate himself from the conspirators and from the violent events surrounding Smith's assassination indicates that he did not support or participate in the actions that led to the prophet's demise.
In conclusion, Doctrine and Covenants 135 highlight a group of traitors and wicked men responsible for orchestrating Joseph Smith's arrest and murder. Among the named conspirators, Thomas Marsh stands out as the individual who was not involved in the conspiracy, having distanced himself from the church and the events leading up to Joseph Smith's tragic end.