Fresh new lie from LDS.org about Samuel Smith's death

[_Boaz & Lidia]

LDS Inc has not only erected a statue of Samuel Smith(Joe's younger brother) but a few days ago trotted him back out for a PR stunt about his birthday: First Latter-day Saint Missionary Born 200 Years Ago Today

in my opinion, this is not pointed at the never mo press and public, it is aimed squarely at the membership as part of the feel good facade of the Smith family to make the members feel all warm and fuzzy about their illustrious leader.

Look towards the bottom of the the PR:

Smith died in Nauvoo, Illinois, 33 days after his brothers Joseph and Hyrum were killed by a mob in Carthage, Illinois.

“His death was caused by an illness contracted in his exertion to escape the mob while trying to go to the aid of Joseph and Hyrum,” Elder Ballard said. “So in many ways, Samuel was also a martyr.”

BALD. FACED. LIE.

"an illness contracted in his exertion to escape the mob" WTF???? When are illnesses contracted from physical exertion? Ballard has no shame or spine.

What did Quinn find?:

Quinn argues that Willard Richards instructed Hosea Stout, a former Danite and police chief of Nauvoo, to poison Samuel Smith. He died not long after Joseph died.

While most of the church leaders were away from Nauvoo at the time, the church leadership quickly split along the lines of polygamy. Those who favored the continued practice of polygamy and secret ordinances were partial to Brigham Young, and wanted to wait until the Quorum of Twelve Apostles returned to Nauvoo before choosing a successor.

Those who were opposed to the practice of polygamy and secret ordinances favored the leadership of William Marks. Sidney Rigdon quickly made a proposal to become guardian of the church, and Marks threw his support behind Rigdon. However, the day before the meeting to decide whether Rigdon should be appointed guardian, the Apostles returned to Nauvoo.

Additional information from Deconstructor's website.

Just to emphasize the sappy part of the lie, designed to make the members even more committed to Smith, Ballard further redefines what a martyr is:

“So in many ways, Samuel was also a martyr.”

[_Nevo]

What did Quinn find?:

Quinn argues that Willard Richards instructed Hosea Stout, a former Danite and police chief of Nauvoo, to poison Samuel Smith. He died not long after Joseph died.

Here is what Quinn actually says: "William [Smith] eventually concluded that Apostle Willard Richards asked [Hosea] Stout to murder Samuel H. Smith." He goes on to say that the charge is "believable" since, three years later, Stout allegedly threatened to murder William Clayton. But Quinn acknowledges that the "troubling allegation" "cannot be verified" and that "evidence does not exist to prove" that Stout killed Smith (see D. Michael Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power [Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1994], 153-54).

[_Boaz & Lidia]

What did Quinn find?:

Quinn argues that Willard Richards instructed Hosea Stout, a former Danite and police chief of Nauvoo, to poison Samuel Smith. He died not long after Joseph died.

Here is what Quinn actually says: "William [Smith] eventually concluded that Apostle Willard Richards asked [Hosea] Stout to murder Samuel H. Smith." He goes on to say that the charge is "believable" since, three years later, Stout allegedly threatened to murder William Clayton. But Quinn acknowledges that the "troubling allegation" "cannot be verified" and that "evidence does not exist to prove" that Stout killed Smith (see D. Michael Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power [Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1994], 153-54).

Yeah so?

More credible than Ballard's lie of contracting an illness from exertion.

Another point for the readers, Samuel Smith was AGAINST polygamy.

Hmmmmmmmm

[_Inconceivable]

Another point for the readers, Samuel Smith was AGAINST polygamy.

Very much so.

If he had lived, he would have certainly been a primary contender to the throne.

He, no doubt, was a very great threat to the remaining leaders that practiced the secret craft of Mormon adultery.

[_Nevo]

Yeah so?

More credible than Ballard's lie of contracting an illness from exertion.

Is it more credible? William Smith made the accusation in 1892 on the basis of no evidence at all. As Quinn points out, his statement could easily be seen "as a self-serving argument for his own succession claim." Samuel Smith's daughter claimed in a 1908 letter that her father was "undoubtedly poisoned," but made no mention of it in a long statement she prepared for the LDS Church historian six years later, "to whom she described Samuel H. Smith's death without a hint of foul play." Samuel's son, Samuel H. B. Smith, supported Brigham Young and the Twelve and settled in Utah where he remained "a devoted Mormon" (see D. Michael Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power [Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1994], 153, 384n52).

I think it is much more likely that Samuel died of "bilious fever," the cause of death given on his death record.

By the way, "Ballard's lie" originated with Samuel himself, who described his illness to his mother as "a dreadful distress in my side ever since I was chased by the mob [at Carthage]."

[_Inconceivable]

One conclusion I have come to was that the Smith Sr. family (including Emma and descendants) were a shifty lot.

The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree, eh?

[_ludwigm]

One conclusion I have come to was that the Smith Sr. family (including Emma and descendants) were a shifty lot.

The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree, eh?

The hungarian saying uses "apple" instead of "fruit". (Apple is more biblical ...) My conclusion is the same.

As about the Smith Sr. family I would include the later prophets named Smith.

[_Rollo Tomasi]

Look towards the bottom of the the PR:

Smith died in Nauvoo, Illinois, 33 days after his brothers Joseph and Hyrum were killed by a mob in Carthage, Illinois.

“His death was caused by an illness contracted in his exertion to escape the mob while trying to go to the aid of Joseph and Hyrum,” Elder Ballard said. “So in many ways, Samuel was also a martyr.”

BALD. FACED. LIE.

"an illness contracted in his exertion to escape the mob" WTF???? When are illnesses contracted from physical exertion? Ballard has no shame or spine.

I believe Ballard's statement is based on Lucy Smith's bio of Joseph Smith. According to that account, Samuel Smith was chased by a mob on horseback when he tried to get to Carthage to help Hyrum and Joseph, and during the chase Samuel had to crouch over his saddle (to avoid bullets?) which caused the saddle horn (or whatever it's called) to continually jam up into his abdomen, causing a stomach injury that led to his death about 3 weeks later. At least that is what Lucy believed.

[_Jason Bourne]

I found the evidence presented by Quinn that Samaul was poisoned tenuous at best.

[_John Larsen]

I found the evidence presented by Quinn that Samaul was poisoned tenuous at best.

Agreed.