Joseph Smith's Introduction to the Law : The 1819 Hurlbut Case
Mormon Historical Studies
Spring 2010
11
1
Salt Lake City
Mormon Historic Sites Foundation
Spring 2010
117-140
The First Interactions of Joseph Smith with the Law happened when he was a mere 13 year old boy. He was asked to testify in court regarding debt that was owed to Jeremiah Hurlbut on the part of the Smith Family. The Author explores the intricacies of the dispute and the perspective it gives into the way that the Smith's neighbors viewed the Smith family.