Joseph on Trial
Not long after the formation of the Church, its founder, Joseph Smith, navigated challenging legal waters. He was arrested and faced court hearings in two locations: South Bainbridge and Colesville. The claims against him included being a "disorderly person" and "breaching the peace." These allegations were linked to his past as a treasure hunter, as well as an incident in which he performed a spiritual cleansing, banishing a devil from Newel Knight. It's important to note, however, that there are no remaining court records from that specific period. Despite the absence of these documents, subsequent reports suggest that Joseph Smith was eventually acquitted of all charges.1
