The Joseph Smith Murder is a bit more complex then that. Yes, he had destroyed a printing press and many were afraid that the Mormons were creating an army that would do away with the US Constitution, but any of the past criminal charges had been dismissed long before the night of the murder. Personally, I do not believe that Joseph Smith had any religious beliefs, I think he had imposter syndrome (many social scientists are comfortable that Smith fits the mold) and he was involved with very gullible people. If you study the history of Smith and his family you see that this was, most likely, a genetic trait. Regardless of this, the percecutions of the early LDS people was cruel (see Far West) and had gained favor with the American media of the time which had helped Joseph excape past criminal activities. In Navoo this would not be the case since the Governor had been kind to the Mormons and had courted their votes. In the last day of his life he was betrayed by the Governor who had left for Navoo and he was also betrayed by the men he had left behind and had begged for them to send the Navoo ltroops to rescue him from his fate. Joseph Smith was a mystic and if he had lived to continue the faith, it would have no doubt have died on the vine since the church was losing members due to his adultrous behavior and his financial dealings. This movie is a glorification of the LDS history and is as far from the truth as one can get.   See 1 other reply