170 THE STORY OF MORMONISM.
suits and counter-suits at law; arrests and rearrests; schisms, apostasies, and expulsions; charges one against another of vice and immorality, Joseph himself being implicated. Here was one elder unlawfully trying his hand at revelations, and another preaching polyg- amy. Many there were whom it was necessarj^ not only to cut off from the church, but to eradicate with their evil influences from society. Among the proph- et's most inveterate enemies were William Law, who sought to betray Smith into the hands of the Mis- sourians, and almost succeeded — Doctor Foster and Francis M. Higbee, who dealt in scandal, charging Joseph, Hyrum, Sidney, and others with seducing women, and having more wives than one. Suits of this kind brought by the brethren against each other, but more particularly by the leaders against high oflicials, were pending in the Nauvoo municipal court for over two years.
Early in June 1844 was issued the first number of the Nauvoo Exposito7\ the publishers being apostate Mormons and gentiles. ^^ The primary object of the publication was to stir up strife in the church, and aid its enemies in their work of attempted extermina- tion. Its columns were at once filled with foul abuse of the prophet and certain elders of the church, assailing their character by means of affidavits, and charging them with all manner of public and private crimes, and abusing and misrepresenting the people. The city council met, and pronouncing the journal a nuisance, ordered its abatement. Joseph Smith being mayor, it devolved on him to see the order executed, and he issued instruction to the city mar- shal and the policemen accordingly. The officers of the law forthwith entered the premises, and de-
^^ In Remt/s Jour, to G. S. Lnhe City, i. 388, it is stated that, among others, a renegade catholic priest, J. H. Jackson by name, ' conceived the idea of starting at Nauvoo a newspaper called the ExjJositor, with the avowed object of opposing the Mormons.' I find no confirmation of this statement. The first number of the Nanvoo Neighbor had been issued May 3, 1843, in place of the Wat>2J, suspended.
