Joseph states his intentions to protect the rights and safety of Nauvoo citizens even at the cost of his own life.
"History, 1838–1856, volume F-1 [1 May 1844–8 August 1844]," p. 119, The Joseph Smith Papers website, accessed December 7, 2022
I call God and angels to witness that I have unsheathed my sword with a firm and unalterable determination that this people shall have their legal rights, and be protected from mob violence, or my blood shall be spilt upon the ground like water, and my body consigned to the silent tomb. While I live I will never tamely submit to the dominion of cursed mobocracy; I would welcome death rather than submit to this oppression, and it would be sweet,— oh sweet to rest in the grave rather than submit to this oppression, agitation, annoyance, confusion, and alarm upon alarm, any longer.