“Joe Smith then may thank himself for an Anti-Mormon nomination; for we seriously believe that none would have been made, if the steps had not been taken by him.” — Warsaw Signal¹

The Anti-Mormon Party was formed in Hancock County, Illinois, in June 1841, and opposed the perceived threat of Latter-day Saint political influence.^1,2 One of its founders, Thomas Sharp, was the editor of The Warsaw Signal and was prominent in stirring up opposition against the Saints.³ Sharp's editorials criticized Joseph Smith for attempting to create a "political church" and manipulating local politics to favor his followers.¹ In 1842, Sharp claimed that the Anti-Mormon Party had been formed in response to Joseph and the Saints nominating a separate electoral ticket, even though the party had been formed the previous year.⁴ On March 9, 1844, the party held a day of fasting and prayer with the goal of bringing about the downfall of Joseph Smith.³ After the Saints left Illinois, anti-Mormon political parties would also form in Utah and Idaho.⁵

1. “The Last Move,” Warsaw Signal, July 9, 1842, 3, catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org

2. “Anti-Mormon Meeting” Warsaw Signal, June 23, 1841, catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org

3. “Growing Conflict in Illinois,” Church History in the Fulness of Times Student Manual, Chapter 21, 265-270

4. Historical Introduction, Letter to the Citizens of Hancock County, circa 2 July 1842, josephsmithpapers.org

5. Richard D. Poll, “The Legislative Antipolygamy Campaign,” BYU Studies, 111-112, jstor.org; Arthur Hart, “Idaho history: Fred Dubois was a U.S. marshal and two-term U.S. senator,” idahostatesman.com