Remembering our Beloved Prophet Joseph Smith

[Hemidakota]

On this date, 27 June 1844, after a restless night in Carthage Jail, Dan Jones went downstairs and inquired of the guard the cause of the gunfire during the night. Frank Worrel, the officer of the guard, told him that unless he left he would be killed with Joseph and everyone else with him before nightfall. Joseph sent him to tell the Governor. On the way to the governors quarters he heard a group of men talking about killing the Prophet when Governor Ford left Carthage for Nauvoo. The governor dismissed Dan Jones report. Dan Jones then stated that the Prophet and his brother are "American citizens, and have surrendered themselves to your Excellency upon your pledging your honor for their safety; they are also Master Masons, and as such I demand of you protection of their lives" (History of the Church, 6:603).

Governor Ford "turned pale" and Dan Jones continued with a request that, "if you leave their lives in the hands of those men to be sacrificed . . . the Almighty will preserve my life to a proper time and place, that I may testify that you have been timely warned of their danger" (History of the Church, 6:603). When he returned to the jail, the guard refused to let him enter. He went to the governor to receive a pass back into the jail, but was refused. Joseph wrote a letter to Emma and said, "I am very much resigned to my lot, knowing I am justified, and have done the best that could be done. Give my love to the children and all my friends . . . May God bless you all. Amen" (History of the Church, 6:605).

As the governor prepared to go to Nauvoo, Cyrus Wheelock approached him and told him that he feared for Joseph's life. The governor again assured him of their safety. He left the Carthage Greys in Carthage to protect the jail, however, many of the Grays were part of the mob. Cyrus Wheelock went to the jail and as it had been a little rainy in the morning, was able to wear his overcoat into the jail and was not searched. He had a six-shooter in the pocket which he gave to Joseph. Messages were given to him and he left for Nauvoo. As part of his instructions to Cyrus Wheelock, Joseph told him about how the Jesus had the power as a child to rule the Jews, but could not because he lacked the physical strength. He then compared that to the Church and said, "we have the revelation of Jesus, and the knowledge within us is sufficient to organize a righteous government upon the earth, and to give universal peace to all mankind, if they would receive it, but we lack the physical strength, as did our Savior when a child, to defend our principles, and we have of necessity to be afflicted, persecuted and smitten, and to bear it patiently until Jacob is of age, then he will take care of himself" (History of the Church, 6:608-609). The governor was again warned just before leaving for Nauvoo by Marshal John P. Greene that there was a "conspiracy on foot to take the lives of Joseph and Hyrum during his absence," but again the Governor brushed it aside. (History of the Church, 6:611).

Several men visited and left Carthage Jail during the afternoon as they continued to pursue legal avenues. Willard Richards became ill and Brother Markham was asked to go get some medicine for him. On his return a company of Carthage Grays grabbed him and put him on his horse and forced him out of town by bayonet. At 3:15 p. m., John Taylor sang "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" and the Prophet asked him to sing it again. Hyrum read extracts from Josephus. At 4:00 p. m. there was a change of guard and eight men were left to guard the jail. The main body of the Carthage Greys camped about a quarter mile from the jail at the public square. At 5:00 p.m., the jailer, Mr. Stigall, returned to the jail and told them Stephen Markham had been driven from Carthage and had fled to Nauvoo. He suggested that the men move to the cell as they would be safer there. Joseph replied that they would after dinner. Joseph asked Willard Richards if he would go into the cell with him. Dr. Richards replied that not only would he do that, but "'if you are condemned to be hung for treason, I will be hung in your stead, and you shall go free.' Joseph said, 'You cannot.' The doctor replied, 'I will.'" (History of the Church, 6:616).

A few moments later the attack on the jail began. Hyrum was killed first. John Taylor was shot and he fell under the bed, but survived. Willard Richards was not injured. The Prophet Joseph sprang to the window and was shot. Falling out the window he said, "O Lord, my God!" The mob dispersed almost immediately when a call went up that "the Mormons are coming." A message was sent to Nauvoo written by Willard Richards that stated, "Joseph and Hyrum are dead. Taylor wounded, not very badly. I am well. Our guard was forced, as we believe, by a hand of Missourians from 100 to 200. The job was done in an instant, and the party fled towards Nauvoo instantly. This is as I believe it. The citizens here are afraid of the Mormons attacking them. I promise them no!" (History of the Church, 6:621-622).

The message arrived at daybreak at the Mansion in Nauvoo. In the mean time, word of the deaths had reached the Governor on his way back to Carthage. He held up the messenger until he could remove all the public records from Carthage in fear of retaliation from Nauvoo. Samuel Smith, the Prophets brother, was chased by a mob as he was approaching Carthage to visit Joseph. He became ill from the chase. By midnight, Carthage was abandoned and only a few were left to help Willard Richards treat the wounds of John Taylor and prepare the bodies for their return to Navuoo.

[sixpacktr]

I always feel great sadness on June 27th. (

[MrNirom]

I too feel a sadness. Not only for the Prophet and Hyrum for losing their lives.. but also the other two men who were part of the mob. Joseph protecting his life did fire the weapon that was given to him. Out of the six shots fired.. two hit their target. I can't remember if there were 3 misfires or 2? But I know there was another man wounded. Loss of life like this is just sad.. period.

[Hemidakota]

Mr Nirom, I just noticed your avatar...here I thought I had [5] blondes for daughters, congrats. They only get into trouble later....LOL

Here is another account....

Before a trial could be held, a mob of about 200 armed men, their faces painted black with wet gunpowder, stormed the jail in the late afternoon of 27 June 1844. As the mob was approaching, the jailer became nervous, and informed Smith of the group. In a letter dated 10 July 1844, one of the jailers wrote that Smith, expecting the Nauvoo Legion, said "Don't trouble yourself ... they've come to rescue me."[citation needed] Smith was unaware that Jonathan Dunham, major general of the Nauvoo Legion, had not dispatched the unit to Carthage to protect him. Allen Joseph Stout contended that by remaining inactive, Dunham had violated an official order written by Smith after he had been jailed in Carthage.[6]

The Carthage Greys reportedly feigned defense of the jail by firing shots or blanks over the attackers' heads, and some of the Greys reportedly joined the mob, who rushed up the stairs.[citation needed]

The mob fired shots through the door and attempted to push the door open to fire into the room. Hyrum Smith was shot in the face, just to the left of his nose. He cried out, "I am a dead man!" and collapsed. His body received five additional gunshot wounds.

Smith, Taylor, and Richards attempted to defend themselves. Taylor and Richards attempted to use walking sticks in order to deflect the guns as they were thrust inside the cell, from behind the door. Smith used a small pepper-box pistol that Cyrus Wheelock had given him when Wheelock had visited the jail earlier that day. Three of the six barrels misfired. Taylor later stated he had been informed that two assailants had died[7] of wounds received from the pistol; however, witnesses identified three injured men who survived and were later indicted for the murder of Joseph Smith.[8]

John Taylor was shot four or five times and was severely injured, but survived, one shot being stopped by his pocket watch (the hands stopped at 5:16). Richards escaped unscathed as he was pushed behind the door when it was forced open.

Joseph Smith made his way towards the window. As he prepared to jump down, Richards reported that he was shot twice in the back and a third bullet, fired from a musket on the ground outside, hit him in the chest.

Taylor and Richards' accounts both report that as Smith fell from the window, he called out "Oh Lord, my God!". Some have alleged that the context of this statement was an attempt by Joseph Smith to use a Masonic distress signal.[9]

There are varying accounts of what happened next. Taylor and Richards' accounts state that Smith was dead when he landed after his fall. One eyewitness, William Daniels, wrote in his 1845 account that Smith was alive when mob members propped his body against a nearby well, assembled a makeshift firing squad, and shot him before fleeing. Daniels' account also states that one man tried to decapitate Smith for a bounty, but was prevented by divine intervention. There were additional reports that thunder and lightning frightened the mob off. Mob members fled, shouting, "The Mormons are coming," although there was no such force nearby.[10]

Joseph Smith's mother, Lucy Mack Smith, summarized the account as follows:

"My sons were thrown into jail, where they remained in company with Brothers Richards, Taylor and Markham. At the end of this time, the Governor disbanded most of the men, but left a guard of eight of our bitterest enemies over the jail, and sixty more of the same character about a hundred yards distant. He then came into Nauvoo with a guard of fifty or sixty men, made a short speech, and returned immediately. During his absence from Carthage, the guard rushed Brother Markham out of the place at the point of the bayonet. Soon after this two hundred of those discharged in the morning rushed into Carthage, armed and painted black, red and yellow, and in ten minutes fled again, leaving my sons' murdered and mangled corpses!"

After the deaths, much speculation was made about who was responsible. Governor Ford was accused of knowing about the plot to kill Smith, and some said he even approved of it. Ford denied this, but he later wrote that it was good for the Mormons to have been driven out of the state and said that their beliefs and actions were too different to have survived in Illinois. He said Smith was "the most successful impostor in modern times," and that some people "expect more protection from the laws than the laws are able to furnish in the face of popular excitement."

Taylor statement concerning Joseph Smith's shots

John Taylor, who became the third President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, made these statements concerning the death of Joseph Smith:

"Elder Cyrus H. Wheelock came in to see us, and when he was about leaving drew a small pistol, a six-shooter, from his pocket, remarking at the same time, 'Would any of you like to have this?' Brother Joseph immediately replied, 'Yes, give it to me,' whereupon he took the pistol, and put it in his pantaloons pocket.... I was sitting at one of the front windows of the jail, when I saw a number of men, with painted faces, coming around the corner of the jail, and aiming towards the stairs.... (Hyrum was shot in the face and was killed instantly, John Taylor continued)

I shall never forget the deep feeling of sympathy and regard manifested in the countenance of Brother Joseph as he drew nigh to Hyrum, and, leaning over him, exclaimed, 'Oh! my poor, dear brother Hyrum!' He, however, instantly arose, and with a firm, quick step, and a determined expression of countenance, approached the door, and pulling the six-shooter left by Brother Wheelock from his pocket, opened the door slightly, and snapped the pistol six successive times; only three of the barrels, however, were discharged. I afterwards understood that two or three were wounded by these discharges, two of whom, I am informed died." (History of the Church, Vol. 7, p. 100, 102 & 103)"

Taylor's statement evidences that there was discussion regarding the possible death of two men, but it was hearsay on Taylor's part.

"Most accounts seem to agree that three mob members were wounded by Joseph’s gunfire: John Wills, an Irishman who had joined the mob from “his congenital love of a brawl,” was apparently shot in the arm by the prophet (CHC 2:285 n.19); William Voras, a “half grown, hobbledehoy from Bear Creek,” was shot in the shoulder by Joseph (ibid.); and William Gallaher, a “southerner from the Mississippi Bottom” who supposedly was shot in the face. (Ibid., see also Oaks and Hill, 52.) A Mr. John Hay claimed that a fourth man “‘whose name I will not mention, as he is prepared to prove an alibi, and besides stands six feet two in his moccasins’” was also wounded (CHC 2:285 n.19.) This fourth man was identified as a Mr. Allen, who, along with Wills, Voras and Gallaher, were all indicted for the murder of Joseph and Hyrum. Wills, Voras and Gallaher “were probably named in the indictment because of their wounds, which testimony showed were received at the jail, were irrefutable evidence that they had participated in the mob.” (Oaks and Hill, 52.) According to one source, the “citizens of Green Plains were said to have given Gallaher and Voras new suits of clothes for their parts in the killing.” (Ibid., 53.) None of these four assailants were ever arrested or appeared for trial, and one report claimed that at least three of these men had left the state. (Ibid., 79.)

Although it is possible that one or more of these men died as a result of the wounds they received during their mob attack, there is no evidence to suggest that such is the case, other than second or third hand reports which most scholars have dismissed as folklore."[2]

Edited June 27, 2008 by Hemidakota

[mommamarty]

Thank you for the reminder, It causes a few moments of sadness, but that is quickly replaced with the joy that comes with the knowledge that even though Joseph Smith died, the gospel lived on and contiued to grow. Each of us is here due to the sacrifice he made for us.

Marty

[Hemidakota]

True..if anyone had met the Prophet across the veil would say, he is busily engaged in the work.

[Misshalfway]

I love listening to the Truman G Madsen stuff on the prophet. I was always touched that as he left home that day on horseback, he turned back 3-4 times to say one more goodbye to Emma.

[Hemidakota]

Letter written this day by both Joseph Smith to Emma:

TO EMMA SMITH

1844 JUNE 27

ALS. Joseph Smith, Carthage, Illinois, to Emma Smith, Nauvoo, 27 June 1844, 2 pp., the non-holograph portions of the letter in hand of Willard Richards, RLDS Church Archives, Independence, Missouri.

At twenty-seven minutes past nine on the morning of 26 June according to Willard Richards's precise designations, Governor Ford and his aide, Colonel Thomas Geddes, arrived at the Carthage jail in response to Joseph Smith's request, whereupon a lengthy interview took place in which Joseph reviewed his course of action in the Expositor affair and received assurances of a fair trial. The rest of the day was highlighted by legal maneuverings and ominous reports of impending violence. At twenty minutes past six that evening, Joseph began dictating a letter to Emma but got no further than the date: "Carthage Jail, June 26th 1844, 20 Past 6 P. M." The next morning, the date and time were written over to read "27th" at "20 Past 8 A.M.," and Joseph finished dictating the letter. He then took the pen himself, added a postscript, and, shortly before ten, having just learned that the governor was about to disband most of the troops and depart for Nauvoo, dictated a second postscript. At 12:20 the Prophet sent a request for the professional services of Quincy lawyer Orville H. Browning.689

Carthage Jail Jun. 27th 1844,

20. Past 8. A M.

Dear Emma

The Gov continues his courtesies, and permits us to see our friends. We hear this morning that the Governor will not go down with his troops to day <(to Nauvoo)> as was anticipated last Evening but, if he does come down with his troops you will be protected, & I want you to tell Bro Dunham690 to instruct the people to stay at home and attend to their own business and let there be no groups or gathering together unless by permission of the Gov they are called together to receive communications from the Gov which would please our people, but let the Gov. direct. Bro Dunham of course, will obey the orders of the Government officers, and render them the assistance they require. There is no danger of any "exterminating order" Should there be a mutiny among the troops, (which we do not anticipate, excitement is abating,) a part will remain loyal, and stand for the defence of the state & our rights; There is one principle which is Eternal, it is the duty of all men to protect their lives from every and the lives of their households whenever occasion <necessity> requires. and no power has a right to forbidid it. when w|..|st should the last extreme arrive, but I anticipate no such extreme, but caution is the parent of safety.

Joseph Smith

PS Dear Emma,

I am very much resigned to my lot knowing I am Justified and have done the best that could be done give my love to the children [p. 1] and all my Friends Mr Brower691 and all who in after inquire after me and as for treason I know that I have not commited any and they cannot prove one apearance of any thing of the kind So you need not have any fears that any harme can happen to us on that score may God bll bless you all Amen

Joseph Smith

P. S. 20 mi[n] to 10-I just learn that the Govrnor is about to disband his troops, all but a guard to protect us and the peace, and come himself to Nauvoo and deliver a speech to the people. This is right as I suppose. [p. 2]

Mrs Emma Smith

Nauvoo.

per Mr Joel S. Miles [p. 3]

[Hemidakota]

A Little Known Account of the Murders of Joseph and Hyrum Smith

http://byustudies.byu.edu/shop/PDFSRC/14.3Shipps.pdf

[Palerider]

I always appreciated Porter Rockwells reaction....he always said that if Joseph gave him the word...he would get some men and level Carthage...to which Joseph always told him "No"

[goofball]

Yeah I think WW Phelps tribute in Praise to the Man is such a great song on so many different levels. Great quotes included in your posts Hemidakota

[inquirer_Jn1717]

The following are two excerpts from JESUS FREAKS, published by DC Talk and Voice of the Martyrs:

"Die With Us!"

Haim and his family

Cambodia

circa 1970s

All during the night, the members of Haim's family comforted each other. They knew they only had a few more hours to live on this earth. The Cambodian Communist soldiers had tied them all together and forced them to lie down on the grass.

Earlier that day Haim's family had been rounded up for execution. Because they were all Christians, the Communists considered them "bad blood" and enemies of the glorious revolution."

In the morning, they were made to dig their own graves.

The Killers were generous. They allowed their victims a moment of prayer to prepare themselves for death. Parents and children held hands and knelt together near the open grave.

After his family finished their prayers, Haim exhorted the Communists and all those looking on to repent and to receive Jesus as Savior.

Suddenly, one of Haim's young sons leapt to his feet, bolted to the nearby forest, and disappeared.

Haim was amazingly cool as he persuaded the soldiers not to chase the boy but to allow him to to call the boy back. While the family knelt, the father pleaded with his son to return and die with them.

"Think my son," he shouted. "Can stealing a few more days of life, as a fugitive in that forest, compare to joining your family here around a grave, but soon free forever in paradise?"

Weeping the boy walked back.

Haim said to the executioners, "Now we are ready to go." But none of the soldiers would kill them.

Finally, an officer who had not witnessed the scene came and shot the Christians.

"We Die With Gratitude"

Chiu-Chin-Hsiu and Ho-Hsiu-Tzu

Jiangxi, Mainland China

During the Red Guard Era, 1966-69

The two Christian girls waited in the Chinese prison yard for the announced execution. A fellow prisoner who watched the scene from his prison cell described their faces as pale but beautiful beyond belief; infinitely sad but sweet. Humanly speaking they were fearful. But Chiu-Chin-Hsiu and Ho-Hsiu-Tzu had decided to submit to death without renouncing their faith.

Flanked by renegade guards, the executioner came with a revolver in his hand. It was their own pastor! He had been sentenced to die with the two girls. But, as on many other occasions in Church history, the persecutors worked on him, tempting him. They promised to release him if he would shoot the girls. He accepted.

The girls whispered to each other, the bowed respectfully before their pastor. One of them said, "Before you shoot us, we wish to thank you heartily for what you have meant to us. You baptized us, you taught us the ways of eternal life, you gave us holy communion with the same hand in which you now hold the gun.

"You also taught us that Christians are sometimes weak and commit terrible sins, but they can be forgiven again. When you regret what you are about to do to us, do not despair like Judas, but repent like Peter. God bless you, and remember that our last thought was not of indignation against your failure. Everyone passes through hours of darkness.

"May God reward you for all the good you have done to us. We die with gratitude."

They bowed again.

The pastor's heart was hardened. He shot the girls.

Afterwards he was shot by the Communists.

[pam]

Huh I'm confused as to what this has to do with the topic.

[Palerider]

it has nothing to do with the topic.....:)

[MrNirom]

Huh I'm confused as to what this has to do with the topic.

I am thinking out loud here... but he mentioned "Voice of the Martyrs" So I am guessing it was a tie in somehow because Joseph was martyred.. and we remember him on this day for that... so he was bringing up other people who have also been..

Just my thinking here.

[inquirer_Jn1717]

Here is the purpose of the post: what are the differences and similarities between Joseph Smith's story and the other two stories?

[HiJolly]

Here is the purpose of the post: what are the differences and similarities between Joseph Smith's story and the other two stories?

IJn's point is that since Joseph tried to defend himself and his fellow prisoners, he couldn't have been a martyr. I disagree. There we have it: 1 to 1

Tie score.

Martyr - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

During the early Christian centuries the term acquired the extended meaning of a believer who is called to witness for his or her religious belief and on account of this witness endures suffering and death. The term in the English language is a loanword and often used with the extended meaning of someone who has been killed for their religious belief. The death of a martyr or the value attributed to it is called martyrdom.

Hmmm... Nothing in there about self-defense. Seems only the Anti-Mormons have this twisted and mistaken POV.

HiJolly

Edited July 1, 2008 by HiJolly