May 1843–June 1844

The final installment of Joseph Smith's journal, covering the turbulent and incredibly productive final year of his life.
In the last year of his life, Joseph Smith served as the highly visible and determined leader of one of the largest cities in Illinois and of a church with members spread throughout the United States and other countries. With his influence at its peak, he balanced roles as church president and prophet, mayor, judge, and militia leader, all while responding to escalating conflict. The journal entries reproduced in this volume of The Joseph Smith Papers illuminate Smith's varied activities and his aspirations and struggles in the months leading to his violent death. This is the final volume of the Journals series.