PROVO — Joseph Smith was a presidential candidate when he was slain at Carthage Jail in Illinois on June 27, 1844. The next candidate to be murdered while running for president of the United States was Robert Kennedy in 1968.

Although many elements led to to Smith's martyrdom, researchers "can't discount the political element," said Susan Black, a Brigham Young University professor of church history.

"To write about the martyrdom without the political overtones — you've missed it," she said.

Black was a presenter on Friday at the Church History Symposium on John Taylor, third president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her topic was "John Taylor — His Influence on Joseph Smith's Presidential Bid."

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