The escalation of violence in Missouri during 1838 was fueled by mutual conflict, including offensive military actions and plunder authorized by Joseph Smith.

“Joseph has himself ordered some offensive military operations against the mob. Joseph doesn't um, talk even of exterminating um non-Mormons. And ultimately, there there are some casualties uh on both sides, but the Mormon operation in Daviess Daviess County, it drives out uh non-Mormon settlers, and”