In the early 1840s, Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, had been accused of treason and of an assassination attempt against a former Missouri Governor. The State of Missouri sought to extradite Smith from Nauvoo, Illinois to face these charges. After his arrest, Smith sued for a writ of habeas corpus to free himself from unlawful detention. In all three hearings, a court agreed that Smith should be freed.

The issue of personal liberties was important during the Civil War when President Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus to quash dissent. In the early 2000s, prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba used the writ in attempt to free themselves.

In 2013, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Community of Christ church partnered in a series of events to explore the issue of personal liberties through the tribulations of Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet.

In April, the first event brought together historians, lawyers, and judges in two separate panels to address court protection of individual liberties, particularly religious freedom in the United States.

A drawing of Joseph Smith in his Nauvoo Legion Uniform.
Joseph Smith in his Nauvoo Legion uniform
Photo courtesy of Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
A photo of governors Jim Thompson and Pat Quinn at the Executive Mansion in Springfield.
Governors Jim Thompson and Pat Quinn
Executive Mansion, Springfield
A drawing of Joseph Smith.
Joseph Smith
Photo courtesy of Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
A photo of Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn speaking with Utah Gov. Gary Herbert.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn speaks with Utah Governor Gary Herbert in Springfield
Executive Mansion
A painting of Joseph Smith speaking to Native Americans.
Joseph Smith speaks to the Native Indians
Photo courtesy of Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
A photo of commissioners Jim Thompson and Mike McClair
Commissioners Jim Thompson and Mike McClain in Nauvoo
Hotel Nauvoo
A portrait of Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Image courtesy of Community of Christ
A photo of former Utah Governor Olene Walker and John Lupton.
Former Utah Governor Olene Walker and John Lupton in Nauvoo
A drawing of Hyrum Smith and Joseph Smith.
Hyrum Smith and Joseph Smith
Photo courtesy of Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
A photo of Jim Thompson, Richard Turley Jr., and Dallin Oaks in Nauvoo
Jim Thompson, Richard Turley Jr., and Dallin Oaks in Nauvoo
A caricature of Joseph Smith.
Joseph Smith
Photo courtesy of Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
A photo of a street in Nauvoo, Illinois
Nauvoo, Illinois
A photo of a tower in Nauvoo, Illinois seen between two statues.
Nauvoo, Illinois
A woman speaks to an audience in Nauvoo, Illinois.
Speakers at Nauvoo, September 23, 2013
A photo of people each looking at a piece of paper.
Speakers at Nauvoo, September 23, 2013
A photo of a group of people sitting outside listening to a person speaking.
Speakers at Nauvoo, September 23, 2013