Church in Joseph's absence and was designated to be Joseph's successor if he were killed or incapacitated. Although Hyrum Smith was never explicitly ordained to the priesthood office of apostle, "his appointment as assistant president may have included such authority". When warned of possible danger, Joseph urged Smith and his family to flee to Cincinnati, Ohio. Smith refused and, in 1844, traveled with Joseph to Carthage, Illinois, where both were charged with riot and treason. Joseph, Hyrum, John Taylor and Willard Richards were held awaiting trial in a jail in Carthage. On June 27, 1844, the building was attacked by a mob of between sixty and two hundred men. While attempting to barricade the door to prevent the mob from entering, Smith was shot in the face on the left side of the nose. After staggering back, another ball fired through the window struck him in the back, passed through his body, and struck his watch in his vest pocket. As Smith fell to the floor, he exclaimed, "I am a dead man," as he died. Taylor was struck by several bullets but survived with the help of Richards. Joseph was hit by at least two shots, exclaimed "O Lord, My God," and fell through a second-story window to the ground where he was shot again. Because of his position as Assistant President of the Church, it is likely that Smith would have succeeded Joseph and become the next president of the church had he outlived his brother. Political involvement Smith was a member of the Nauvoo City Council. At the time of his death, Smith was an independent candidate for the Illinois state legislature. Wives and children On 2 November 1826, in Manchester, New York, he married Jerusha Barden (1805–1837). They had six children together. Lovina Smith (16 September 1827 – 8 October 1876), who married Lorin Walker Mary Smith (27 June 1829 – 29 May 1832) John Smith (22 September 1832 – 6 November 1911) Hyrum Smith (27 April 1834 – 21 September 1841) Jerusha Smith (13 January 1836 – 27 June 1912) Sarah Smith (2 October 1837 – 6 November 1876), who married Charles Emerson Griffin On 24 December 1837, in Kirtland, Ohio, he married Mary Fielding Smith (1801–1852). They had two children. Joseph F. Smith (13 November 1838 – 19 November 1918) Martha Ann Smith (14 May 1841 – 19 October 1923) In August 1843, he