John C. Bennett served as the first mayor of Nauvoo until May 1842, when he resigned facing accusations of immoral conduct. (“New Election of Mayor, and Vice Mayor, of the City of Nauvoo,” Wasp, 21 May 1842, [3]; “Affidavit of Hyrum Smith,” Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1842, 3:870–872.)
The Wasp. Nauvoo, IL. Apr. 1842–Apr. 1843.
Times and Seasons. Commerce/Nauvoo, IL. Nov. 1839–Feb. 1846.
At the first meeting of the Nauvoo City Council on 3 February 1841, JS presented a bill “to Organize the Nauvoo Legion,” which passed unanimously. Notwithstanding Rockwood’s recommendation, the ordinance was recorded in the manuscript history of the church. (Nauvoo City Council Minute Book, 3 Feb. 1841, 2–3; JS History, vol. C-1, 1160–1161.)