Joseph Smith Accused as Accessory to Assault on Boggs
1842
Perfidy of John C. Bennett
Doctor John C. Bennett came to Nauvoo in August, 1841, and joined the Church. Through his zealous activity in assisting to procure the Nauvoo Charter, he was honored by the citizens in the first election, by being chosen mayor of Nauvoo. He also rose to prominence in the councils of the Church, and appeared to be a firm believer in the Gospel, and a staunch friend to President Joseph Smith. Not many months later, however, through immoral conduct, he lost the spirit of the Gospel, and likewise his love for President Joseph Smith. His case is an illustration of the truth, that the Spirit of the Lord will not dwell in an unholy tabernacle. When men transgress the Holy Spirit withdraws, and the light in them turns to darkness. The first intimation that all was not well with Dr. Bennett was made manifest to the Prophet May 7, 1842, after a drill and sham battle by the Nauvoo Legion. This event had been under preparation since the previous January, and it was the intention of all to make it a grand success. In the forenoon of that day there was a parade of the legion, some twenty-six companies, comprising about two thousand troops. Judge Stephen A. Douglas, who was holding court at Carthage, adjourned, and with some leading attorneys, went to Nauvoo to witness the military maneuvers of the legion. While there he was the guest of President Joseph Smith. The day passed harmoniously without confusion. A large company of spectators and distinguished strangers had assembled to witness the sham battle.
Dr. Bennett who was major general of the legion requested President Smith as lieutenant general to take command of the first cohort during the sham battle. But this the Prophet declined to do. Bennett next requested him to take his station in the rear of the cavalry without his staff, while the engagement was going on; but Captain Albert P. Rockwood of the Prophet’s body guard would not consent, and kept close by his leader’s side, who chose his own position. The Spirit of the Lord whispered to Joseph Smith that all was not well, and after the day’s celebration was over he said, “If General Bennett’s true feelings toward me are not made manifest to the world in a very short time, then it may be possible that the gentle breathings of that Spirit which whispered to me on parade, that there was mischief concealed in that sham battle, were false; a short time will determine the point. Let John C. Bennett answer at the day of judgment: Why did you request me to command one of the cohorts, and also to take my position without my staff, during the sham battle, on the 7th of May, 1842, where my life might have been the forfeit, and no man have known who did the deed?”
Bennett’s Resignation
Ten days later, Dr. Bennett resigned his office as mayor of Nauvoo having been accused of immorality. The same day he went before Alderman Daniel H. Wells, who was not a member of the Church, and made affidavit to the effect that he had never been taught anything in the least contrary to the principles of the Gospel, and the strictest morality in both word and deed, by Joseph Smith. On the 19th, the city council met and elected Joseph Smith to fill Bennett’s unexpired term as mayor of Nauvoo. Before the council on this occasion, Bennett was accused with having said Joseph Smith taught him to practice immorality. He replied, that “those who made such a statement were infernal liars,” for Joseph Smith had always taught him to be virtuous. He then pled to be forgiven of his wrong doing, and said he hoped yet to prove by repentance his worthiness to fellowship in the Church. For the sake of his mother, he prayed that his evil practices might not be exposed. In this apparently repentant spirit he appeared before nearly one hundred brethren and cried like a child, stating, “that he was worthy of the severest chastisement.” The brethren thought him sincere and the Prophet in mercy pled in his behalf. In a very short time, it was discovered that not only had Bennett been guilty of immoral practices, but he had taught others to be like himself, placing the responsibility for such teachings on the shoulders of the Prophet. The result was that others had to be handled for their fellowship. For this cause, and a defiant spirit, Chauncey L. Higbee, was excommunicated. Others, on confession of their wrong doing, and repentance, were forgiven.
J. C. Bennett Leaves Nauvoo
Notwithstanding the mercy extended to Bennett by the brethren some time during the month of June, he left Nauvoo, breathing out threatenings against the Prophet and the Church. He made the statement “that he had withdrawn from the fellowship of the Saints because they were not worthy of his society.” He then entered into correspondence with the enemies of Joseph Smith in Missouri, endeavoring to stir them up to continue their persecutions against him. This made it necessary that a public statement be made in regard to the immoral practices of Dr. Bennett. This document which was signed by the Prophet contained a supporting affidavit, bearing the signatures of the aldermen and councilors of the city of Nauvoo. Bennett later published a book, The History of the Saints, which represented to be an exposé of “Mormonism.” The work was so filled with corrupt expressions, such as would naturally come from so vile a source, that it only created a spirit of disgust in those who read it, and it proved to be a failure.