Perhaps had Joseph Smith decided not to disallow freedom of the press (exposing his propositioning of a married woman), there would not have been that very stain. Ah, but this will likely not make it past the censors since history is not the real issue but keeping belief over fact.

It was a mistake to murder JS. There should have been a fair trial where truth and history would have been preserved.

Because of the influence Joseph Smith and others had in the area (they had great political power because they took over the local government positions, militia, etc.), a "fair trial" was not possible. Those who brought charges against Joseph Smith for the destruction of the press saw exactly how "fair" the law was under Mormon rule in that area. When they could not get help from the local law for this and other heinous acts by the Danites (and other Mormon zealots), they tool the law into their own hands.

That is a faithful interpretation of the history that IS extant. Read it sometime and you might be amazed at how pernicious the Mormon movement was!

"Historical significance"?

Could mean anything...value of the dollar, my wife's ex-husband, Taoism. Anything.

Dumb.

I never cease to be amazed at the deep seated hate and resentment towards the Mormom faith. Sounds to me like Ed and David would have happily grabbed a musket and joined the Carthage mob.

Joseph Smith was a just man who dedicated his life towards God and what he believed to be true. He was honest and upright in all his dealings. I've done my homework better than anyone such as Ed or David might profess. Ed and David, your dreadful day is fast approaching.

It is sad to read how ill informed some mormons are of their own history. Joseph Smith had some good and some bad like most men. To worship him in ignorance is no way to grow in truth.

Ithink it was great that rogers parents took him somewhere important for him to remember.davids parents must of left him home.

How may I read the whole article online? I would like to have completed what Roger was feeling and what significance in his own words this had for him.
I find that whether one agrees or disagrees with the work of Joesph Smith, that those who are interested in the history of the development of Religious Faiths and the institutions that surround them must see the moment of the death of Joseph Smith as watershed which allowed for the rise Brigham Young on the one hand and the Community of Christ on the other. Further, by perception at the least, it established a rationale for separation in a "safe haven" which allowed for the development of a Mormon culture and the evolution into its modern form. Thus it is a moment of Historical significance.