Historian Arnold K. Garr tells the little-known story of Joseph Smith the statesman: his frustrating meetings with President Van Buren, his role drafting the Nauvoo Charter and serving as councilor and mayor, and his remarkable 1844 third-party run for U.S. president. Framed by a helpful FAQ and rich with primary documents—including Smith's political platform and his fiery correspondence with John C. Calhoun—the book examines whether the campaign was serious and how it may have contributed to Smith's death in Carthage. Did you know the Prophet Joseph Smith ran for President of the United States in 1844? Joseph Smith's forgotten platform anticipated compensated emancipation years before the Civil War. The first-ever missionaries who preached the gospel and campaigned for a presidential candidate at the same time. Read Joseph Smith's blistering reply to Senator John C. Calhoun in his own words. Perfect for an adult Latter-day Saint or history buff curious about Joseph Smith's lesser-known role as politician and 1844 presidential candidate.
