What was the effect of Joseph Smith's murder?

Answer 1

Joseph Smith's murder or martyr took place on June 27, 1844 when a mob of about 100 to 200 men with faces painted black stormed Carthage Jail. The religious intent of Joseph Smith's murder was suppose to bring an end to the LDS/Mormon faith. After Joseph Smith's death many men stepped forward and claimed that they were Joseph Smith's successor. Some believed that Joseph Smith the III, Joseph's son should take the place as leader of the church, essentially this was the start of the RLDS church. Sidney Rigdon, also claimed leadership of the church as he had been in the leadership of the church with Joseph Smith in the early beginnings of the church. However, Sidney Rigdon's association with the church had been marred and at one time he had been almost excommunicated from the church. Rigdon believed that with Joseph Smith's death that no one could take Joseph's place and that there could only be a caretaker of the church. He pronounced that he should be that caretaker. The only other person who stood against this statement was Brigham Young, president of the twelve apostles, who claimed that Rigdon had not been there in many teaching and learning opportunities with the Prophet Joseph Smith. Priot to his death, Joseph Smith spent time teaching and giving instruction to the Twelve Apostles. Brigham Young claimed essentially that this was why Sidney Rigdon's position was faulty. In addition, many of the saints in Nauvoo believed they saw and heard the "mantle" of Joseph Smith fall upon Brigham Young. This was to confirm to many of the LDS Saints that Brigham Young was indeed the next prophet to lead the faith. Other Mormon sects as well sprung up from Joseph Smith's death such as: RLDS, Rigdonites, Strangites, etc.