18488

Journal Article

English

Nimer, Corwin L.

Treachery and False Swearing in Missouri : The Rise and Fall of Sampson Avard

Mormon Historical Studies

Fall 2004

5

2

2004

37-60

Nimer provides a thorough examination of the life of Sampson Avard, the Danite leader. Attracted originally to the Campbellite movement, Avard accepted Mormonism in Beaver, Pennsylvania. After the failure of the Kirtland Safety Society, the dissenters appointed Avard to take charge of the Church in Canada. Joseph Smith eventually caught up with him in Toronto and ordered him home. Renewing friendships and reintegrating himself into Mormonism in Far West, Avard's prominence quickly grew. A secret society, the Brother of Gideon, was formed to stamp out dissent, and when the group was reorganized in June 1838 as the Daughter of Zion, or Danites, Avard was appointed as their leader. At first, he was anardent supporter of Church leadership and worked tirelessly in advocating consecration. After an incident in Daviess County, Joseph removed Avard as the Danite leader. When Joseph Smith surrendered the Mormon forces in Missouri, Avard lost confidence in the prophet and testified against Joseph in court, sending him to Liberty Jail. After Avard's excommunication and after more local persecution, perception of the Danites changed, and Mormon leadership distanced themselves from the band.

Avard, Sampson
Danites
Missouri

37

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