170 years ago today - Jan 2, 1843

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 2d It is an important erea in the history of the Church about these days. Joseph Smith the Prophet & Seer of the Church has been Persecuted & driven into the willderness from his family & Church in Nauvoo in consequence of illegal oaths, affidavits & edicts, from men in authority Govornors &c. But having a new govornor Joseph Smith came forth & deliverd himself up to the authorities & demanded a trial & it has been granted him within a few days past before the Circuit Court of the United States & has been honorably acquited according to the law of the Land, & is now returning to Nauvoo to have a jubilee.

[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]