The morning of 27 June, Smith sent an order (in his own handwriting) to Major-General Jonathan Dunham to lead the Nauvoo Legion in a military attack on Carthage “immediately” to free the prisoners. Dunham realized that such an assault by the Nauvoo Legion would result in two blood baths–one in Carthage and another when anti-Mormons (and probably the Illinois militia) retaliated by laying seige to Nauvoo for insurrection. To avoid civil war and destruction of Nauvoo’s population, Dunham refused to obey the order and did not notify Smith of his decision. One of his lieutenants, a former Danite, later complained that Dunham “did not let a single mortal know that he had received such orders.”

I’m not sure I fully understand your question regarding theocracy. I must say that it was a new idea to me when I read this book, but I’ve read an interview by Richard Bushman and Great Basin Kingdom by former church historian Leonard Arrington, and both indicate that Brigham Young was successful in establishing a theocracy in Utah. I’m reading a new book by Sarah Baringer Gordon, (a non-member) who also supports this idea. I have to say I was a bit surprised to learn that Bishop Courts in the late 1800′s didn’t just excommunicate/disfellowship members, they settled land disputes with Mormons and non-Mormons (which is why the non-Mormons hated these Bishop’s courts). Joseph was certainly trying to establish a theocracy, and it looks like Brigham Young was successful.

While the federal anti-polygamy raids get the lion’s share of coverage, it is significant to notice that the federal government took control of the courts, governorship, and tried to outlaw the United Orders because they are inherently monopolistic (and Mormons tried successfully to exclude non-Mormons and dissidents from the economy.) There is a lot more to the story of federal intervention than simply polygamy.

Gordon also makes it extremely clear that the Republicans led the anti-poligamy charge against the Mormons. They compared polygamy to slavery. So, the Southern Democrats in defending slavery also defended the Mormon right to polygamy (even though Southern Democrats weren’t fond of polygamy either.) So, no good Mormon would have every voted Republican from about 1856-1900. I must say the federal government was very draconian in trying to stamp out theocracy and polygamy in Utah.

Quinn’s claims about the letter to Dunham alarmed me. I’ve read Bushman’s book and a few others, but neverheard anything about the order.

I was curious about Quinn’s source for the claim, and found this explanation on fairlds which seems to place the claim comfortably in the area of fishy historical claim on Quinn’s part:

http://en.fairmormon.org/Joseph_Smith_as_a_martyr/Nauvoo_Legion_to_rescue_Joseph

I also remembered the council of 50 references in Bushman’s book, but it seemed pretty scarce. How much do we really know about the whole theocracy idea, and how much is guessing? Is there room for believing that it was just meant to be like what the church is today? A religious gov’t within the republic of the united states?

I think Mormons tend to vote republican because of hot button issues like abortion and welfare / socialism etc… how they get past the coorperatism and war mongering of the right is beyond me. I’m surprised more mormons don’t vote for 3rd parties.

On unity vs democracy, I think it has to be achieved from the bottom up, not the top down. To paraphrase a quote that rang true to me: “Peace and unity are easy, but peace and unity WITH freedom, that’s the real challenge.” When the leaders don’t have to put down rebelion, because no one wants to rebel, because we’ve finally figured out how to apply the freedom and compassion of the gospel to society… maybe then?

“The difference between a Republican and a Democrat?” Practically nothing.”

I got my open mind from my mother and my realist cynicism from my father.