The Joseph Smith Papers is pleased to announce its latest web release. This release features an 1838 land survey documenting Latter-day Saint land claims in Daviess County, Missouri; introductions and documents for five legal cases from Illinois, including cases against Joseph Smith for treason and riot; Nauvoo City treasurer documents; transcripts for Joseph Smith’s office papers; updated images for the Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book; and hundreds of new entries in the calendar of documents.
In the Financial Records series, this release includes a short record titled Land Survey, May–July 1838, which contains a survey George W. Robinson made of Latter-day Saint land claims in Daviess County, Missouri, in the spring and summer of 1838. This record, along with an accompanying introduction and annotation, offers important insights into church leaders’ plans for settlement in Missouri. An updated map depicting the land claims recorded by Robinson is also available. Additional financial documents have also been added to the Ohio Agent Papers.
In the Legal Records series, new content includes five introductions and documents that cover several Illinois legal cases. Introduction to State of Illinois v. JS et al. for Riot–A, State of Illinois v. JS for Riot on Habeas Corpus, State of Illinois v. H. Smith et al. on Habeas Corpus, and State of Illinois v. JS et al. for Riot–B describes four riot cases stemming from the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor press, which was ordered by the Nauvoo City Council and Nauvoo’s mayor, Joseph Smith. State of Illinois v. JS and H. Smith for Treason most likely resulted from Joseph Smith’s decision to call out the Nauvoo Legion and declare martial law in Nauvoo amid rising tensions with other citizens of Hancock County, Illinois. There are also introductions and documents for State of Illinois v. JS for Adultery and Fornication, State of Illinois v. JS for Assault and Battery, City of Nauvoo v. Bostwick, Bostwick v. JS and Greene, and Bostwick v. JS.
In the Administrative Records series, more content has been added from the Nauvoo City records. This includes pay orders sent to the city treasurer requesting payment for services rendered to the city. Transcripts for more of Joseph Smith’s office papers, including land records, legal records, city records, and miscellaneous records are also included. Updated images for the Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book have been added; all images, including blank pages, for the complete record book are now available.