Joseph Smith is more successful in his political aspirations

I figure Joesph Smith Jr. can be more successful in his political aspirations if A), Desseret becomes an independent state with him as its leader or B) he is successful in his bid for the Presidency. The former would probably be more likely and plausible than the latter but what POD's could lead to such things happening? And how would he rule as leader of either just Desseret or the entire U.S.? What would a Mormon theocracy look like? It could turn out to be pretty free or a harsh totalitarian state. He would probably impose his idea of "Theodemocracy" and polygamy would be legal maybe but what else?
 
Well, Joseph was murdered before the Mormons went west, but if he had survived (perhaps only his brother is killed at Carthage jail) he would have been the governor of what became the Utah territory rather than Brigham Young. As for becoming President, it was a longshot at best. I don't really see that as being possible.

Joseph Smith as governor of Deseret (later Utah) probably wouldn't have changed much (other than Brigham Young University likely called Joseph Smith University today). The Salt Lake valley was so remote form the rest of the US that the Mormons probably would have developed very similarly to how they did in OTL in their isolation.
 
Wrong Joseph Smith. He's talking about the leader of the RLDS Church. Basically the question is what would have happened if Joseph Smith handed the Presidency down to his son.
 
Considering how much of an obstacle Mitt Romney's Mormonism was in winning votes in 2008, I am not sure if a Mormon's chances at winning the presidency would have been very high in the 19th century.
 
Othniel,

The Mormon prophet was Joseph Smith, Jr. You are thinking of Joseph Smith III. He had no political aspirations that I am aware of.
 
Considering how much of an obstacle Mitt Romney's Mormonism was in winning votes in 2008, I am not sure if a Mormon's chances at winning the presidency would have been very high in the 19th century.

Othniel,

The Mormon prophet was Joseph Smith, Jr. You are thinking of Joseph Smith III. He had no political aspirations that I am aware of.
I'm also obviously thinking of the wrong Presidency then. (Which is also the title of the head of the Mormon Church) Its confusing me how he is tieing Joseph Smith to Deseret, when its in Illinious that Joseph Smith tried to make a homeland for the mormons.
 
Considering how much of an obstacle Mitt Romney's Mormonism was in winning votes in 2008, I am not sure if a Mormon's chances at winning the presidency would have been very high in the 19th century.

any Mormon, particularly a Mormon church leader or prophet becoming president in the 19th century US is close to ASB.

While it's possible Deseret could become independent (particularly if the South wins the Civil War) I don't think that option is particularly likely either.
 
Ive wondered what it would take to keep the Mormans in Nauvoo/Mississippi valley, the town has a nice museum (the Mormans have also rebuilt their temple there) but at its heigth, Nauvoo was the biggest town/city in Illinois
 
ooh. then there were the Mormans led by James Strang up to Beaver Island off of the northwest coast of lower Michigan. i think that they went there after they got the boot from Nauvoo. and i think that Strang was made king and he was in the state legislature. Eventually they were acused of piracy and were kicked out.
 
Joseph Smith did run for the presidency, but the campaign wasn't very far along when he was murdered. His chances of winning would have been astronomical at best, but they were of course nil after he was dead.
 
Ive wondered what it would take to keep the Mormans in Nauvoo/Mississippi valley, the town has a nice museum (the Mormans have also rebuilt their temple there) but at its heigth, Nauvoo was the biggest town/city in Illinois

It probably would have helped if the Governor of Illinois wasn't complicit in his murder. Governor Ford at best stood by and did nothing when the mob came and killed Joseph Smith while he was in protective custody. At worst, he was one of the conspirators. In any case, after the state government becomes involved in murdering your leaders, it is probably time to go.
 
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