Why The Prophet Ran For President - in his own words.

I would not have suffered my name to have been used by my friends on anywise as President of the United States, or candidate for that office, if I and my friends could have had the privilege of enjoying our religious and civil rights as American citizens, even those rights which the Constitution guarantees unto all her citizens alike. But this as a people we have been denied from the beginning. Persecution has rolled upon our heads from time to time, from portions of the United States, like peals of thunder, because of our religion; and no portion of the Government as yet has stepped forward for our relief. And in view of these things, I feel it to be my right and privilege to obtain what influence and power I can, lawfully, in the United States, for the protection of injured innocence; and if I lose my life in a good cause I am willing to be sacrificed on the altar of virtue, righteousness and truth, in maintaining the laws and Constitution of the United States, if need be, for the general good of mankind. (Feb. 8, 1844.) (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, selected and arranged by Joseph Fielding Smith, p.331)

Presidential Platform:

1. A central banking system owned by the government, with the mother bank at Washington, and branch banks in the several states.

2. The annexation of Texas upon her application, and the extending of an invitation to Mexico and Canada to become parts of the United States of America.

3. The immediate occupation and settlement of the Oregon region.

4. The reduction of the National Congress, the House two-thirds and the Senate one-half.

5. The freedom of the slaves through purchase by the Federal Government; the funds to be obtained by the sale of public lands.

6. A reform of the prison system, which would make the prisons workhouses and seminaries of learning.

7. The building by the government of a dam across the Mississippi River at Keokuk (just below Nauvoo) and the construction of locks to aid shipping around the rapids at that place.

8. A reform of the strict military punishment for desertion in time of war.

9. A high tariff to protect young industries. These views created wide interest and newspapers commented upon the new candidate. The Iowa Democrat published the following: (William E. Berrett, The Restored Church, 7th ed., p.245)