In light of the upcoming trial in Carthage, Illinois, of five men accused of the murders of JS and Hyrum Smith, and of the rumored plans of anti-Mormon opponents, [Brigham Young] proposed the council consider "the course best for us to pursue the next four weeks, in regard to the court and the Carthaginians." William Clayton summarized in his journal the threat: "It appears their determination is to get up an excitement at the Court & they are already trying it by reporting that the Saints are going en masse to Carthage at the Court and if the Court does not execute the law on the murderers that we intend to destroy the Court and Citizens of the county. From reports which the brethren have brought who have been at Carthage the mob are laying deep plans to bring us into collision with the State so as to bring about our expulsion or extermination forthwith."
[Joseph Smith Papers: Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844-January 1846]
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