What roles did the Laws, the Fosters, and the Higbees play in the events leading up to the martyrdom of Joseph Smith?
The Laws, Fosters, and Higbees were excommunicated from the LDS Church and published the Nauvoo Expositor, which criticized Joseph Smith and led to his martyrdom.
The Laws
The Laws were brothers named William and Wilson who held high positions in the LDS Church. William Law served as the second counselor in the First Presidency, while Wilson Law was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Their disagreement with Joseph Smith over plural marriage led to their excommunication from the church.
William and Wilson Law
In 1844, the Laws published a critical pamphlet about Joseph Smith's practice of plural marriage. They also founded the Nauvoo Expositor, a newspaper that further criticized Smith and the LDS Church. Their actions ignited a series of events that ultimately resulted in the martyrdom of Smith and his brother Hyrum.
The Fosters
Robert and Charles Foster were brothers who were prominent members of the LDS Church. Robert served on the Nauvoo City Council, and Charles was a captain in the Nauvoo Legion. They supported the Laws in their opposition to Smith's practice of plural marriage and in the publication of the Nauvoo Expositor.
Robert and Charles Foster
The Fosters' participation in criticizing Smith contributed to the growing unrest among dissenters in Nauvoo. Their alliance with the Laws and involvement in the Expositor played a pivotal role in the events that unfolded leading to Joseph Smith's martyrdom.
The Higbees
Chauncey and Francis Higbee were brothers who were also part of the group behind the Nauvoo Expositor. Their grievances against Smith, including accusations of adultery and spiritual wifery, fueled their involvement in the critical publication.
Chauncey and Francis Higbee
The Higbee brothers' grievances with Joseph Smith motivated their active participation in the Nauvoo Expositor. Their perspectives and actions influenced the escalating tensions within the LDS community and ultimately contributed to the tragic outcome of the martyrdom.
In conclusion, the Laws, the Fosters, and the Higbees were interconnected through their excommunication from the LDS Church and their collaboration in publishing the Nauvoo Expositor. Their collective dissent and criticism of Joseph Smith's leadership were significant factors that led to the events culminating in Smith's martyrdom.