8. Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, Illinois: Taylor & Woodruff, 1843-1845.

Throughout most of the history of Mormonism the church has followed the pattern of issuing from its headquarters two periodical publications, one which disseminates religious information such as reports of conferences, histories of the church, and the theological writings of church leaders, etc., with another paper oriented towards "news." Nauvoo was no exception to this rule. Its religious organ, the Times and Seasons, began publication in April 1839 with the news counterpart The Wasp beginning in April 1842. The Wasp was initially edited by Joseph Smith's younger brother William who unfortunately became embroiled in a war of rhetoric against the accusations of the anti-Mormon Warsaw Signal. After one year it was decided to make the church's newspaper more conciliatory by changing the name and editorial posture. Thus in May 1843 the Nauvoo Neighbor was born.

The Neighbor ran for a total of 127 issues from May 3, 1843 to October 29, 1845. It was printed in a four page six column format that was twice the size of its predecessor The Wasp. Its purpose, in the words of editor John Taylor, was "[to] endeavor to cultivate a friendly feeling towards all, and not interfere with the rights of others, either politically or religiously" but "concerning politics we shall not be silent."

The Neighbor printed a wide variety of information, from local and national "news" to poetry, fiction, legal notices, advertisements, and reports of actions taken by the Nauvoo City Council and editorials. It also reprinted articles from other newspapers and books relating to issues relevant to the Mormons. For example, during its final six months of publication the Neighbor published articles clearly targeted at those who anticipated a move to the West. Numerous articles also appeared relating to California, Oregon, and Texas, including excerpts from Lansford Hastings' Emigrants' guide to Oregon and California and the reports of the John C. Fremont expeditions. In its last few issues the Neighbor gave detailed reports of the numerous anti-Mormon depredations occurring in Hancock County and on October 22, 1845 (the next to last issue) it reprinted the announcement (See Whereas a council... , exhibit item #10 ) that the Mormons would leave Nauvoo the following spring.