“I well know that the whole country was swarming with men anxious to carry me [to Missouri], and kill me without any shadow of law or justice, and ​although​ they well know that I had not committed any crime worthy of death or bonds.” — Joseph Smith¹

After escaping imprisonment in Liberty, Missouri, Joseph Smith continued to face persecution from the Missouri government. On June 17, 1843, Illinois Governor Thomas Ford signed an extradition warrant allowing Joseph to be arrested in Illinois and taken to Missouri to stand trial for treason. Shortly after, two armed men arrived at Joseph and Emma Smith’s home and aimed their pistols at the prophet. "Shoot away!" Joseph said as he bared his chest. "I am not afraid of your pistols." Joseph demanded a judge review the arrest, but the men refused. Joseph was held at a local tavern until the authorities arrested his captors, and the group moved from court to court to sort out the legal issues. Meanwhile, Wilson Law had assembled a group of over 100 men from Nauvoo. After they located Joseph, he was escorted back to Nauvoo.²

1. History, 1838–1856, volume D-1, 1586, josephsmithpapers.org

2. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 41, 497-500