Joseph Smith’s Presidential Campaign

Though he was assassinated before the election and didn’t think he was likely to be elected anyway, Joseph Smith ran for president to shine a light on the lack of protection the Latter-day Saints received from state governments. From abolishing slavery and prisons to strengthening a national bank to protecting religious minorities, Smith called on the federal government to do more for all Americans. Guest: Spencer W. McBride, author of "Joseph Smith for President: The Prophet, the Assassins, and the Fight for American Religious Freedom"