Joseph Smith's 1844 Presidential Campaign and Political Ambitions

An overview of the Latter-day Saint prophet Joseph Smith's foray into national politics and his unique platform for the 1844 U.S. presidential election.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 5, 2026

Branched from The Nauvoo Legion: How the Mormons Built a Private Army

Quick take

Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter-day Saint movement, launched a presidential campaign in 1844.
His platform focused on religious freedom, prison reform, and federal intervention to protect minority rights.
The campaign was a direct response to the persecution faced by his community in Missouri and Illinois.
Smith's presidential bid and life ended abruptly with his assassination in June 1844.

In January 1844, Joseph Smith, the founder and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced his candidacy for President of the United States. This unexpected move was a culmination of years of political engagement and a direct response to the severe persecution and lack of federal protection his community had experienced in Missouri and Illinois.

Why Joseph Smith Entered the Race

Smith's decision to run for president wasn't born from a traditional political ambition but from a deep-seated frustration with the American legal and political systems. After Latter-day Saints were violently expelled from Missouri and later faced growing hostility in Illinois, Smith repeatedly appealed to state and federal authorities for redress and protection, including to President Martin Van Buren. His pleas were largely dismissed, leaving him convinced that existing politicians either couldn't or wouldn't protect minority groups like his. Running for president, he believed, offered a way to directly advocate for religious freedom and civil rights, or at least to bring his people's plight to national attention. He saw it as a final, desperate attempt to secure justice for the Latter-day Saints through political means.

A Bold and Controversial Platform

Smith's presidential platform, outlined in a document titled "General Smith's Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States," was remarkably progressive and, at times, radical for its era. Key proposals included:

**Abolition of Slavery:** He advocated for the immediate, compensated emancipation of slaves, proposing that the federal government sell public lands to fund the purchase of freedom for enslaved people.
**Prison Reform:** Smith called for the dismantling of the existing prison system, suggesting that criminals be rehabilitated through labor and education rather than simply incarcerated.
**Reduced Congressional Pay:** He proposed reducing the salaries of U.S. congressmen to two dollars a day, arguing it would curb corruption and attract more dedicated public servants.
**Expansion of Federal Power:** Smith believed the federal government should have more authority to intervene in states to protect the rights of its citizens, especially religious minorities.
**Annexation and Expansion:** He supported the peaceful annexation of Texas, Oregon, and parts of Canada and Mexico to expand the nation's territory.

The Campaign and Its Abrupt End

Smith's campaign was unconventional. He didn't engage in traditional stump speeches across the country; instead, he dispatched hundreds of Latter-day Saint missionaries, known as "political elders," to preach his platform and garner support. They traveled throughout the United States, distributing pamphlets and engaging in public debates. While his chances of winning were virtually nonexistent, the campaign served to spread awareness of the Latter-day Saint community and their grievances. The campaign, however, was cut short. On June 27, 1844, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were assassinated by a mob in Carthage, Illinois, while awaiting trial on charges stemming from the destruction of an anti-Latter-day Saint newspaper in Nauvoo. His death immediately ended his presidential bid and plunged the Latter-day Saint movement into a profound succession crisis.

Joseph Smith's 1844 presidential campaign is significant because it highlights the desperate plight of a persecuted religious minority in antebellum America. It demonstrates the intertwined nature of religion and politics during this period and how a charismatic religious leader sought to use the political system to protect his people. While his specific policy proposals were largely ignored at the time, some, like compensated emancipation and prison reform, foreshadowed later progressive movements. The campaign also underscored the failure of federal and state governments to protect the rights of all citizens, ultimately contributing to the Latter-day Saints' decision to migrate west in search of religious and political autonomy.

Did Joseph Smith truly believe he could win the presidency?

Yes, Smith genuinely believed he could win, seeing his candidacy as a divinely appointed mission to reform the nation and protect his people. He often spoke of establishing a 'theodemocracy' where righteous leaders would govern.

What was the 'Council of Fifty' and how did it relate to his campaign?

The Council of Fifty was a secret organization established by Joseph Smith in March 1844. Its primary purpose was to explore options for the Latter-day Saints to find a place of refuge, potentially outside the United States, and to help govern the community as a 'kingdom of God' on Earth. It also played a role in his presidential campaign, helping to organize efforts and disseminate his platform.

How did his assassination impact the Latter-day Saint movement?

Smith's assassination created a leadership vacuum and triggered a major succession crisis within the Latter-day Saint movement. This led to various factions forming, most notably the group led by Brigham Young who eventually led the majority of Latter-day Saints west to Utah, and the group led by Joseph Smith III, which became the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now Community of Christ).

Were any of his policy ideas implemented later?

While not directly implemented as a result of his campaign, some of Smith's ideas, such as compensated emancipation for slaves, were discussed in political discourse leading up to the Civil War. His calls for prison reform and federal protection of rights also resonate with later progressive movements, though they were far ahead of their time in 1844.

Sources

Bushman, Richard Lyman. *Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling*. Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.
Brodie, Fawn M. *No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith*. Alfred A. Knopf, 1945.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. *History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints*. Vol. 6, Deseret Book Company.