2007-04-20 07:56:51 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
I am pretty sure he either did run or was seriously thinking about it...yes before he was martyred.
2007-04-21 08:02:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it was true. He even announced his candidacy. The reason was thus: Joseph Smith had gone back to Washington to petition the government to help the Mormons who were being openly persecuted over their religious practices. This even though the US Constitution granted freedom of religion.
Mormons were getting their property burned and looted, murdered and abused, and yet the states of Missouri and later Illinois did nothing to protect Mormon rights. The governor of Missouri even issued an infamous "extermination order" which authorized the killing of Mormons. This, in the United States of America. (A side note, recently the governor of Illinois apologized for what took place back in 1846).
U.S. President James Buchanan told Joseph Smith, "Your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you."
So, in as much at even the president of the United States was not going to protect the Mormons with freedom of religion, Joseph Smith concluded that the only way his people could have their rights protected, was to become president himself. He was martyred before the elections began in 1844.
2007-04-24 11:02:11 · answer #2 · answered by Kerry 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Joseph was officially a candidate for President of the United States in what would have been the 1844 election. The mob assassination stopped that. Basically, Joseph felt that if we could not get justice from the system that was in place, then we might as well put someone in place that could do justice.
2007-04-24 13:16:49 · answer #3 · answered by rac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Joseph Smith announced his candidacy for President of the United States, with Sidney Rigdon as his vice-presidential running mate in Feb 1844. In April 1844 Smith prophesied that his son would succeed him and would become "president and king of Israel."
Apparently neither happened. Joseph was shot in the Carthage Jail 1844, and his son David died in an insane asylum in 1904. They were of similar temperament.
2007-04-23 14:37:15 · answer #4 · answered by Dances with Poultry 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, he did try to run for President for a short time I think.
2007-04-22 10:08:36 · answer #5 · answered by latterdaylady 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, he ran on an abolishionist platform. (did I spell that right?)
2007-04-23 20:37:30 · answer #6 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He actually did. I am not sure if he actually ran or not, but at least he was seriously considering it.
2007-04-22 20:55:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋