BLOG 13
MILLIONS SHALL KNOW BROTHER JOSEPH
180 YEARS SINCE THE MARTYRDOM
It is appropriate to take a few moments to remember the Prophet Joseph Smith. June 27, (2024) marked the 180th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph and his brother, Hyrum Smith, the Patriarch. They were brutally murdered on that date in 1844 at the Carthage Jail. The Carthage Jail is an Illinois Historic Site located in a sleepy little village located about 25 miles from Nauvoo, Illinois.
On this date, Sister Hunt and I had the privilege of going to Carthage from Nauvoo – for a special program held to honor the memory of Joseph and Hyrum. We gathered with a plethora of Nauvoo missionaries and many other visitors on the grounds of the old Carthage Jail to experience a commemorative program entitled, “Millions Shall Know Brother Joseph”.
We had been to the jail previously, but the Spirit really touched our hearts on this special occasion.
Upon our arrival, the Nauvoo Brass band was there playing the prelude – and did so through the program. They were fabulous. As ever, their music was inspiring and wonderful.
The program began with the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries singing, “I Saw a Pillar of Light”.
Sister Rebecca Mehr (Mission Leader) talked. She spoke of the “safety of gathering”. She talked of our legacy of togetherness. We were experiencing that on this evening.
Brother Joseph Monsen talked. He is the historian who helped implement the tours in the Joseph Smith properties that were just acquired by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the Community of Christ. He testified that God is present in our lives. He talked of W.W. Phelps who left the church and harassed Joseph Smith and then repented and asked Joseph for forgiveness. Joseph told W.W., “Friends at first are friends again at last: and forgave him for the major trauma and persecution that he caused to Joseph and the church. He noted that W.W. Phelps later wrote the song, “Praise to the Man” which includes the lyrics, “Millions Shall Know Bother Joseph Again”. He noted that this commemoration tonight is a spiritual event and that the death of Joseph and Hyrum was a “spiritual triumph”. “Their strength is in how they lived”, he added.
He issued three challenges: 1) Let us overcome the world with love, 2) Remember the Wayfaring Man, and 3) Carry the Gospel to the world. He invited us all “gain our eternal heritage given us by Joseph and Hyrum”.
The Performing Missionaries gave a magnificent rendition of “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”., the song that brought peace and solace to Joseph and Hyrum as their deaths approached. The Performing Missionaries had some tremendous soloists. One Elder Smith was absolutely fabulous, and he brought the Spirit of Joseph and Hyrum in a wonderful and penetrating way to me.
President Daniel S. Mehr, the Mission Leader for the Illinois Historic Sites Mission talked.
I love hearing Presiden Mehr speak. He talked of how President Russel M. Nelson (our current Prophet) loves each of us. He said that he (Pres. Mehr) loves everyone – and offered a group hug to all of us. He said that we should do three things: walk the streets, shake hands, and to love the people. He said that we (in the group) had all known each other for millennia. He talked of “Nauvoo Miracles’. And he shared some stories of those miracles, as the missionaries have experienced them. He said that Joseph and Hyrum “suffered righteously”. He assured us that God knows that we love Him.
After the talks, the Choir sang another stirring rendition of “Praise to the Man”. This song was amazing. This is definitely a song that can penetrate the soul in memory of God’s Prophet.
In the benediction, the Elder talked of gratitude for this “hallowed and sacred ground”. We all felt that we were on hallowed and sacred ground through the program tonight. It was wonderful and we were blessed to have been a part of it.
LIKE A LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER
After bidding good-bye to his wife and children on the morning of June 24, 1844, Joseph and Hyrum headed to Carthage. Joseph said, “I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summer’s morning: I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me – he was murdered in cold blood”.
Photo: Joseph and Hyrum on the Way to Carthage @ Kevin and Lou Hunt
As he and Hyrum stopped before the Temple (then only one story high), they looked back on their beloved Nauvoo. Joseph said, “This is the most beautiful place and the best people under the heavens; little do they know the trials that await them.”.
Joseph and Hyrum headed off to Carthage. They rode their horses past Joseph’s farm – located two or three miles east of town. Memories were stirred as Joseph recalled special family moments working and relaxing on his farm. “Joseph stopped and gazed upon his land. As they rode away Joseph looked back over and over again. The men escorting him to Carthage told him to be moving on. Joseph said, “If some of you had got such a farm and knew you would not see it any more, you would want to take a good look at it for the last time.” (History of the Church 6: 558 – Quoted by Scot Facer Proctor, in the “Meridian” LDS magazine. June 27, 2014)
A SIGN IN NAUVOO MARKS THE REMINDER OF THE CARTHAGE TRAIL
We had driven past this spot countless times before – since it is on Nauvoo’s Main Street and near the Visitors’ Center, but until just a few days ago, we had not seen the sign. I stopped (in the middle of the quiet road) to check it out. I was amazed to find that it was a sign erected by an Eagle Scout to commemorate the “Martyrdom Trail” (road) that took Joseph and Hyrum to their martyrdom. How cool is that – that an Eagle Scout erected this plaque as a reminder to us all.
The ”Martyrdom Trail” is a back-roads dirt road that winds the 23 miles from Nauvoo to Carthage. There are other ways to get there, but the vintage road is more authentic and thus, more of a reminder of the road that Joseph and Hyrum actually took. The trail takes a ziz-zag path down country roads, over bridges, and through overgrown fields. It is not a trek for the faint of heart – taking about 8 hours for experienced hikers.
THE HUNT FAMILY EXPERIENCED THE MARTYRDOM TRAIL
I have previously noted that Sister Hunt and I went to Nauvoo and for two summers participated in the “City of Joseph” pageant with our nine children. In those days, pageant leaders staged a plethora of enjoyable activities for cast members for those rare moments when they were not on stage practicing or performing. They had hat-making and other classes for the ladies and girls. Tween boys could work on Scout merit badges.
Many of the cast members wanted to take the optional hike on the Martyrdom Trail. My three sons and even some of the girls opted to make the journey.
On August 4, 1997, I recorded in my journal:
“Today a bunch of cast members walked or biked the “Martyrdom Trail” which Joseph and Hyrum rode on horseback from Nauvoo to Carthage. … It was a special experience for us to make the trek today and to think of Joseph and Hyrum as we went. A group of about 80 of us met at the Visitors’ Center at 7:30 AM. K.C., and Rusty borrowed bikes to ride. They rode the whole 23 miles. They did a great job. There were about 30 bikers. The hiking group included Jenae, Kaylea, Keith, and I (and most of the Shaltes family and others). The hikers followed the bikers south on Main Street. We then went east on Parley Street until we reached other country roads. We hiked the 3 or so miles up to the Pioneer Cemetery. Here a brother recounted interesting historical facts of the Trail, Joseph, and Hyrum.
“There were several drivers recruited also. Jackie was among these. I volunteered for her services. She enjoyed this. Just past the cemetery (near the Joseph Smith farm) we hikers got into vehicles and rode for a few miles. As we stopped, we saw K.C. and Rusty at a farmhouse getting drinks out back. We got out and hiked another couple of miles beside tall corn fields and soybean crops. There were many large trees along the road. The weather was perfect for the walk. Some of the roads were a bit muddy from last night’s storm. We got back in the vehicles and rode another few miles.
“We stopped about a mile from Carthage and rested in the shade of a large tree (near the jail). We hiked the last mile into the jail. We all (hikers, bikers, and drivers) all met at the jail. Some folks went on a tour. We didn’t – since we were just there yesterday. We ate watermelon and drank punch out on the lawn. It was, in all, a great experience. We also earned a very classy Scout patch in the process.
Jenae and Kaylea did not finish the full walk. They walked back to the campground from the Nauvoo Cemetery (but they probably walked almost as far as the rest of us)”.
THE MARTYRDOM TRAIL TODAY
It was June 26th, and the eve of the 180th anniversary of the deaths of our beloved Joseph and Hyrum (and two days after they would have taken their trip of doom). I decided that I wanted to again experience the “Martyrdom Trail” – all of these years later – and as a current Nauvoo missionary. My wife is loyal to me, so she supported me in the cause (fearing that alone, I might be eaten by bears or otherwise get lost out in the wilderness!) I was happy to have her company.
We got home from our assigned site of the day. We changed out of our pioneer costumes and grabbed a quick bite of food. And then we were on our way – out on the trail.
So, we had seen this trail plaque on Main Street near the Visitors’ Center. And I received a map of the Trail at the Visitors’ Center – via Elder Tolman who was on duty there.
We headed upward and east on Parley Street and drove past the old pioneer cemetery. We soon turned south on a street called “900 East”. We followed a “zig-zag” on many roads with many turns and this went through many country roads, turns and corners. This was not the exact route that Joseph and Hyrum took – since some of their trail is now under corn or soybean fields. But, the roads that we took, are as close as possible to the original – and we were able to get a sense of what Joseph and Hyrum may have experienced.
The Eagle Scout had done a great job in placing markers along the full trail.
It took us few markers to get in the groove and to know what they looked like but once we got onto them, they were extremely helpful.
There was a marker at every turn. And some of the markers confirmed that we were going the right way – even through some very interesting fields. In these areas, it was easy to imagine the real trail that Joseph and Hyrum would have traveled on their horses. Some of these stretches of “road” (pasture paths) were interesting indeed. My wife, of course, was in a panic as we traversed some of these country paths (and that is what some were). She feared that we would get lost, stuck in mud, or whatever else it is that women imagine. But, in spite of the terrain, and her reaction to it, I was happy to have her along for moral support (just as Joseph and Hyrum found support in each other – and appreciated others who travelled with them).
We took photos of nearly every one of the 23 markers along the way. We saw a lot of corn, maize, soybeans, and other fields that folks now farm.
We had a little more excitement near the beginning of our trek than we had originally planned.
We were way out in the middle of nowhere – about a half mile east of 900 East – on 2200 North when I looked off at the side of the road. We were in horror as we saw that a guy, Stan, had driven off of the road down into a ditch. He was pulling a 14’ utility flat trailer on the small car – and the trailer started jack-knifing down a hill on the gravel covered road. This pushed his whole vehicle down into a ditch at the side of the road.
We stopped to help the guy. He was in a bad way. When we found this guy, Stan, he was really muddled and confused – and angry about his predicament. We decided later that he was probably in shock over his situation. His phone had died as he was trying to call a towing company – so he was in a bad predicament – especially being stranded out in the middle of nowhere and with little hope of any vehicle coming along to help him.
I got on the phone and looked for a towing service who could come to assist the guy. I first called Morgan Squires of the Red Front Café – to see if she knew of a local towing company and she did not. I then turned to Google and looked for a local towing company – starting with a search for Carthage. I found a “5-Star” rated company called Newberry, Inc. and located in Keokuk. I talked to a guy named T.J.. I think that he was the company boss. He reminded us of Brad Belcher (my wife’s brother who owns a towing company in Heber City, Utah.). This T.J. says that normally he has a worker who does most of the calls – but I guess he was super tired from a full night of calls – so this left the boss to come himself to our rescue. The tow guy said that it would be about 45 minutes before he could get to our remote location. He had a hard time figuring out where we were, but I gave him pretty good Boy Scout directions. He came right at his promised time. The guy was super impressive and efficient.
As he was driving to us, Lou and I brought this Stan into our car and got him calmed down. Lou gave him some cold water. We talked to him and assured him that things would be okay. He kept saying that his wife “would kill him” for doing what he did. He was from Chicago. We used our phone to contact his wife. She at first did not want to answer her phone – since it was an unknown number – but Lou texted the woman and got her attention – so that she responded back.
The driver, T.J., arrived and assessed the situation. He knew just what to do. He positioned his truck at the right angle so as to pull the other vehicle up to the left and out of the hole or ditch where it was held. He hooked up his cables and controlled these through a plethora of different knobs that moved the cables in various directions. It was fascinating to watch (and video) how the vehicle slowly moved up and out of the ditch. And gratefully, here was little damage to his car – in spite of what it had been through.
Lou remained in contact with the wife of Stan via text messages and kept her informed of the progress. She sent several photos that showed the predicament of Stan. The lady was grateful for all of our help.
We all – Lou, Stan, and I all marveled about the fact that we came upon this Stan. He was really in a bad way – stuck in a ditch – with his car and trailer deeply imbedded in the underbrush, with him having no phone for outside contact (including contacting a towing company), and it being near dark, and the fact that there literally was no one else on the road, and no farm houses or other people for miles around. It truly was a miracle that the Lord staged in his behalf.
T.J. took only about 15 minutes to get Stan’s “ox out of the mire” and we soon were on our way. And by a miracle, Stan’s vehicle was still drivable and he continued on his way toward Chicago.
Sister Hunt and I continued down the country paths with the hope that they would eventually get us to Carthage. With our delay of over an hour, we were in a race against the sun.
Darkness was approaching fast. I was afraid that we would not get to Carthage before we ran out of light – and that would have added much excitement on those country roads with no lights, inability to see street signs, small marker signs, etc. We were blessed to get to our Carthage destination just as the light totally disappeared. We were greatly blessed and helped on our way.
We were glad that we were instruments in His hands to serve and help as we did. I knew that Joseph would have so helped in similar circumstances. But, knowing Joseph, he probably would have given the guy his horse.
As we got almost to Carthage, we drove through a cemetery (on both side of a road) and I thought this to be the most beautiful cemetery that I have ever seen. It had rolling hills, green grass and trees everywhere, and a small lake. It was amazing.
As I drove down the Martyrdom Trail, I thought very much of Joseph and Hyrum and tried to imagine the thoughts of their heavy hearts as they headed to Carthage and their coming doom – fully knowing of the coming consequences. I was glad that we could make this special trek on the eve of the 180th anniversary of their martyrdom. It was really a wonderful, spiritual experience that I was grateful for.
We turned on the final road that took us right up to the gates of the Carthage jail complex.
We drove into the parking lot. It was dark and right at 9 PM. (And I noted that my research had shown that it was near midnight when Joseph and Hyrum arrived in Carthage on their horses.) That would have been quite the horse ride for a single day. And as we took the driven route, I can only imagine that pain and reflection and apprehension that Joseph and Hyrum must have experienced on horseback – with each additional mile along that lonely road. My heart went out to them as I thought of their pain and sorrow in anticipation of their coming fate. But, in reflection, I am very grateful to them for the legacy of faith that they passed on to us – even today – many generations down the line. I was drawn to them in greater love and admiration.
Sister Hunt was very relieved that we had made the trek safely and without incident (to us) at our destination. She was glad that we were done with the country roads.
The Martyrdom Trail (1996)
THE FACTS OF THE MARTYRDOM
John Taylor and Willard Richards were with Joseph and Hyrum on their day of martyrdom. John Taylor had a beautiful singing voice and sang, “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief” and even repeated it at the request of the brethren.
John Taylor later announced to the world the sad news of the Martyrdom. This is now recorded in D&C 135, verses 1-2:
“To seal the testimony of this book and The Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet and Hyrum Smith, the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail on the 27th of June 1844, at about five o’clock p.m., by an armed mob – painted black – of from 150 to 200 persons. Hyrum was shot first and fell calmly, exclaiming: “I am a dead man!
Photo of Hyrum’s Blood on Floor (1975) even 130 years after the martyrdom
Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming, “O Lord my God!” They were both shot after they were dead, in a brutal manner, and both received four balls.
Door to room where the martyrdom room where Joseph and Hyrum died
“John Taylor and Willard Richards, two of the Twelve, were the only persons in the room at the time: the former was wounded in a savage manner with four balls, but has since recovered; the latter, through the providence of God, escaped, without even a hole in his robe.”
“Hyrum lay dead on this floor. John had rolled under the bed after being hit with four balls, one of which struck him in the chest at the heart but was miraculously stopped by his pocket watch. The watch stopped at 16 minutes, 26 seconds after 5 o’clock. Joseph tried to escape through the window on the left. He was hit four times, once in the collar bone, once in the breast, and twice in the back. He leaped or fell from the window crying aloud, “Oh Lord, my God.!” (By Scot Facer Proctor: https://latterdaysaintmag.com/article-1-14541/)
LUCY MACK SMITH, MOTHER OF JOSEPH AND HYRUM RECOUINTS THE SADNESS AND TRAUMA OF THE SCENE:
“After the corpses were washed and dressed in their burial clothes, we were allowed to see them. I had for a long time braced every nerve, roused every energy of my soul and called upon God to strengthen me, but when I entered the room and saw my murdered sons extended both at once before my eyes and heard the sobs and groans of my family…it was too much: I sank back, crying to the Lord in the agony of my soul, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken this family!’ A voice replied, I have taken them to myself, that they might have rest’…I then thought upon the promise which I had received in Missouri, that in five years Joseph should have power over all his enemies. The time had elapsed, and the promise was fulfilled.” (Lucy Mack Smith, mother of Joseph and Hyrum, June 29, 1844, Nauvoo Illinois – and this was quoted by Joseph Monsen at the commemoration event.)
PROPHETS WHO KNEW THE PROPHET JOSEPH TESTIFY OF HIM
The Prophet Joseph is best described by those who knew him best. These would be some of his chief Apostles (and who later also became prophets themselves).
BRIGHAM YOUNG WAS NAUVOO PRESIDENT OF THE QUORUM OF 12, 2ND PROPHET AND PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH:
On numerous occasions Brigham Young testified:
“I feel like shouting Hallelujah, all the time, when I think that I ever knew Joseph Smith, the Prophet whom the Lord raised up and ordained, and to whom he gave keys and power to build up the Kingdom of God on earth and sustain it” (DBY, 456).
Brigham also said, “I can truly say, that I invariably found him to be all that any people could require a true prophet to be, and that a better man could not be, though he had his weaknesses; and what man has ever lived upon this earth who had none?” (Brigham Young to David P. Smith, 1 June 1853, BYP).
JOHN TAYLOR – 3RD PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH – TESTIFIED OF JOSEPH:
Following his martyrdom, John Taylor said of Joseph: “Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!” (D&C 135:3)
On the 10th Anniversary of the death of Joseph Smith, John Taylor testified again of Joseph: “I was [blessed] to be associated with Brother Joseph … I have been with him under all kinds of circumstances – when the thick clouds of darkness gathered around, … when the forces of [the] earth rallied against him, and in times of prosperity … I have also been with him in private council, so that I have had the opportunity of becoming acquainted with his feelings, ideas, views, with his morality, with his truthfulness, with his integrity. And I know that he was a good man; that he was an honest man … that he was a prophet of the Lord, that he lived in that capacity and maintained this integrity.”
WILFORD WOODRUFF, 4TH PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH
“I bear my testimony that in the early spring of 1844, in Nauvoo, the Prophet Joseph Smith called the Twelve Apostles together and he delivered unto them the ordinances of the church and kingdom of God; and all the keys and powers that God had bestowed upon him, he sealed upon our heads, and he told us that we must round up our shoulders and bear off this kingdom, or we would be damned. I am the only man now living in the flesh who heard that testimony from his mouth, and I know that it was true by the power of God manifest to him. At that meeting he stood on his feet for about three hours and taught us the things of the kingdom. His face was as clear as amber, and he was covered with a power that I had never seen in any man in the flesh before.
I bear testimony that Joseph Smith was the author of the endowments as received by the Latter-day Saints. I received my own endowments under his hands and direction, and I know they are true principles. I not only received my own endowments under his hands, but I bear my testimony that Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, George A. Smith, John Taylor and other brethren received their endowments under the hands and direction of the Prophet Joseph; and also my wife Phoebe, Bathsheba Smith, Leonora Taylor, Mary Smith and others whose names I cannot recall now.
The Prophet Joseph laid down his life for the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ, and he will be crowned as a martyr in the presence of God and the Lamb. In all his testimonies to us the power of God was visibly manifest with the Prophet Joseph.
This is my testimony, spoken by myself into a talking machine on this the 19th day of March 1897, in the 91st year of my age. Wilford Woodruff.
LORENZO SNOW – FIFTH PRESIDEN OF THE CHURCH:
“A word or two about Joseph Smith. Perhaps there are very few men now living who were so well acquainted with Joseph Smith the Prophet as I was. I was with him oftentimes. I visited him in his family, sat at his table, associated with him under various circumstances, and had private interviews with him for counsel. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God; I know that he was an honorable man, a moral man, and that he had the respect of those who were acquainted with him. The Lord has shown me most clearly and completely that he was a Prophet of God, and that he held the Holy Priesthood and the authority to baptize people for the remission of their sins and to lay hands upon them for the reception of the Holy Ghost, that they might receive a knowledge themselves in relation to these things” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1900, 61).
JOSEPH F SMITH – LAST MODERN-DAY PROPHET TO HAVE KNOWN JOSEPH SMITH TESTIFIED:
JOSEPH F. SMITH TESTIFIES OF JOSEPH SMITH (His Uncle)
“As a child I knew the Prophet Joseph Smith. As a child I have listened to him preach the gospel that God had committed to his charge. . . . I have retained the witness of the Spirit that I was imbued with, as a child, and that I received from my sainted mother, the firm belief that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God; that he was inspired as no other man in his generation, or for centuries before, had been inspired; that he had been chosen of God to lay the foundations of God’s Kingdom as well as of God’s Church; that by the power of God he was enabled to bring forth the record of the ancient inhabitants of this [the American] continent, to revive and to reveal to the world the doctrine of Jesus Christ. . . . As a child I was impressed, deeply, with the thought, and firmly with the belief, in my soul that the revelations that had been given to and through Joseph the Prophet, as contained in this book, the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, were the word of God, as were the words of the ancient disciples when they bore record of the Father and of the Son” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 493).
JOSEPH F. SMITH PURCHASED THE CARTHAGE JAIL FOR THE CHURCH
Joseph F. Smith was the son of Hyrum Smith and nephew of the Prophet Joseph. It was under his leadership that the Church purchased the Carthage Jail on November 3, 1903, for $4,000. This was the first historic site purchased by the Church.
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH VISITS THE CARTHAGE JAIL
There were many times in the life of Joseph F. when his had the chance to stop at Carthage Jail, but every time he chose to avoid it, knowing his emotions were too fragile to handle what was there.
In 1906, President Smith visited the jail on his way home from a European tour. A man named Charles W. Nibley convinced Joseph F. that it was time to face Carthage. Both men knew this would be a very challenging experience for Joseph F. and were tentative about how the experience would go.
When the group with Joseph F. arrived at Carthage, they all proceeded to walk up the steps to the jail and as they turned right into the room where all the bullets came, seeing the bullet holes, emotions were high. Then, the person leading the group pointed out the floor, and the group was told “that stain is the blood of Hyrum Smith.”
Joseph F. overcome with sadness, walked over and sat down on the blood stain. Joseph F. put hands over his face, and convulsively wept until they could see the water coming through his fingers.
Then, Joseph F. said “Charlie, take me out of here.”
They got in the buggy and rode the twenty miles back to Nauvoo. Not one word was spoken. https://fheontheroad.com/joseph-f-smith-visiting-carthage-jail/
Preston Nibley later recalled that President Smith said, “I despise this place. It harrows up my feelings to come here.” (Source: Cannon: Carthage Jail in Mormon Memory, “Long Shall His Blood . . . Stain Illinois”: Carthage Jail in by Brian Q. Cannon)
ANCESTRAL CONNECTIONS AND TESTIMONIES OF JOSEPH SMITH
We are blessed to have the testimonies of prophets and leaders who knew and heard the Prophet Joseph Smith. I am also blessed to have many of my own ancestors who personally knew the Prophet Joseph. There were many of them who lived in Nauvoo, many who knew him, and many who also heard him speak and then shared their testimonies of him with their posterity. I will share some of those stories here.
NATHAN CALHOUN CHENEY TELLS OF THE NAUVOO WHICH JOSEPH SMITH INSPIRED (From a letter written to friends October 17, 1841, from Nauvoo:
.”There are more inhabitants in the City of Nauvoo than there ever has been together before since the people called Mormons began to gather here. The people are very busy in building them houses to live in, the newcomers are building very good houses, mostly brick and frame houses, also the House of the Lord is being built. The House of the Lord is one hundred and twenty feet by eighty-eight feet on the ground, the House of the Lord is built by the tithing of the people, our tithing is one tenth. The City is divided into ten wards, so we work every tenth laboring day on the Temple, there is probably from fifty to seventy people to work every day on the House. We are building a large Hotel, [and] the Hotel is called the Nauvoo House. The Nauvoo House is in an ell and from each ell it is one hundred and twenty feet long by forty feet wide. The Nauvoo House is built by the Church, it is built by selling shares in the House. There are about the same number of hands to work on the Nauvoo House that there is on the Temple. The basement story to each house is nearly built, the walls of the temple are built of stone, the walls of the Nauvoo House are built with brick. There has a Company of men gone up into the north country after pine lumber. Our people are not so much engaged in cultivating the earth in Nauvoo as they are in building up a city,”
NATHAN CALHOUN CHENEY (3rd Great Grandfather) LETTER TO FATHER-IN-LAW ABOUT THE MARTYRDOM OF JOSEPH SMITH – WRITTEN JUNE 28, 1844
Mr. Charles Beebe
Sandusky, Cattaraugus County
New York
Nauvoo City, Illinois
June 28th 1844
“Kind Parents, Brothers, and Sisters in Freedom [New York]: As the day is gloomy and I do not feel like laboring, I think I will sit down and converse with you with the pen. We are all well as to bodily disease, in all probability, before you get this.
“You will hear that our enemies are trying to take our lives. I will inform you that in the fore part of April, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints cut off several people from their church for seeking to kill the Prophet and the Smith Family, together with forgery and making bogus money and gambling.
“… The Prophet knew all they wanted was to get him. He felt delicate about going [to Carthage], but after some reflection went, and Hyrum too. Upon his starting to go he came back three times to bid his family goodbye, but the last time he came back he bid his wife and children farewell. That was last Sunday.
“The Prophet and his guards were within two miles of Carthage. There he met a company going to Nauvoo. He found that the Governor had demanded the government arms that the Nauvoo Legion had. Brother Joseph came back with them and assisted in getting the arms.
“On Monday he went back again. The Marshal and his men were bound over to court, then they came home. Then this gang of murderers got a writ against Joseph and Hyrum for treason. They were taken and put in jail.
“The Governor sent on Wednesday sixty men – he said to guard the mob from the Mormons. These men never went on guard while they were here, but the Mormons were on guard all the time. The Governor and 160 men came to Nauvoo Thursday at 5 o’clock P. M. The Governor made a short and insulting speech to the Mormons, then immediately left with his troops. However, he said he had left a guard at Carthage so that the prisoners would not be hurt. He said that the prisoners would be here Saturday to have their trial.
“I can’t write further at present; my eyes drop on the paper so.
“Again, I commence to give you an account of the bloody murder: While the Governor was in Nauvoo, the mob came upon the jail and fired through the door and shot Hyrum through the head. Brother Joseph ran upstairs. The mob rushed after him. Joseph attempted to jump out of the window. The mob fired him through, and he fell to the ground. The mob ran him through with their bayonets a number of times, and then fired him through a number of times after they had stuck their bayonets through him. This murder you will have to put your own construction on.
“The corpses have just been brought into Nauvoo. The Governor passed through Carthage last night at twelve o’clock and sent a letter to Nauvoo. He said he would do all he could to bring the murderers to justice. He thinks it is the mob of Missouri that did the murder. There were from 100 to 200 men that rushed upon the jail. There was not a prisoner taken by the Governor’s militia mob. I will inform you that the Governor’s militia had bound themselves to destroy the Mormons and had assembled for that purpose before the Governor came out. And after he did come out, they were the Governor’s troops.”
EBENEZER WIGGINS HAD BUTTERMILK WITH THE PROPHET
Ebenezer and his wife, Eleanor, were old settlers of Illinois (there before the Mormons). … He arrived in Illinois before 1832. They settled in Hancock county. Land records indicate that they later owned a very prime piece of property in downtown Nauvoo. They owned a lot on the northeast corner of Main and Parley Street.
Ebenezer was baptized in 1841. His son, William James, one of two twins born in 1835, was baptized 1843. The rest of the family would have joined during this period. They were well born, prosperous people in Illinois, and well known for their kindness to those in need. Debts of the poor were often cancelled, and charity unselfishly given. The Prophet Joseph Smith often called at their home to visit and enjoy a glass of buttermilk with them. Their daughter, Ellener remembered many times sitting upon Joseph’s knee and listening to him talk.
EZRA T CLARK OFTEN HEARD THE PROPHET JOSEPH SPEAK AND GAVE HIM HIS LAST DOLLAR!
When the saints left Missouri to head north, the Clarks located in Iowa. The river and the distance from Nauvoo, however, proved no obstacle to a growing respect that Ezra had for Joseph Smith.
In Iowa, Ezra found companionship in the company of Edward Stevenson and Nathan Porter. Sometimes Ezra would go with Edward and Nathan across the Mississippi River to Nauvoo where they would go to the grove to hear the Prophet Joseph.
”Although it cost some trouble to go over the Mississippi River to Nauvoo, Nathan Porter, E. T. Clark, I, and others made it a point to go and hear the Prophet speak, for he always had something good and cheering for all who loved to hear words of inspiration and deep instruction. I used to be highly repaid for my trips over the river and could feel encouraging to go on with my work which was still hard,” Stevenson wrote of the time.
On still another occasion, Ezra rowed across the river to be at the ceremony laying the cornerstone of the Nauvoo Temple. It was during this occasion that Ezra gave the prophet his last dollar and Joseph would put his hand on the then teen-age boy and told him that his family would be blessed with means and that they would be among the nobility of the earth.
Ezra’s wife, Mary Stevenson Clark, records the impact of the prophet’s death on June 27, 1844. Ezra and Mary, though unmarried at the time, were among the mournful throng that went to meet the entourage bringing the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum. Mary said that such a vast procession of weeping Saints would never be forgotten.
It was the Prophet Joseph’s passing that signaled another major change in the church and the Clark family.
With the church in a state of transition from the loss of its leader, Sidney Rigdon and several others stepped forward to claim the right of leadership. A meeting was called in which Rigdon was given a forum, along with Brigham Young, to talk about the mantle of leadership.
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One of those people who had a similar experience was Ezra Thompson Clark. It was at this meeting that Ezra had an experience that would shape the rest of his life and separate him from the rest of his family. His testimony was recorded just months before he died, to be passed down to his posterity.
“Before I left Nauvoo, I heard the Prophet Joseph say he would give the Saints a key whereby they would never be led away or deceived, and that was: the Lord would never suffer the majority of this people to be led away or deceived by imposters, nor would he allow the records of this Church to fall into the hands of the enemy. I heard Joseph say this, and I also heard him say that he would roll the burden of the Apostleship upon the quorum of the Twelve. I heard Joseph preach many times; heard him, in the last sermon he ever delivered, bear testimony to the truth of the work that God had called him to; also, that the Lord had never suffered him to be slain by his enemies, because his work had not been done, until a short time ago. He had now laid the foundation of this work and rolled the burden of the priesthood upon the Twelve; and, having given them their washings and anointings, they would now bear off this work triumphantly, and it would roll on faster than ever before; and, if the Lord was willing to accept of him, he was willing to go.
“This he spoke to the people. I was one who heard his voice and know that he spoke like an angel from heaven. I never heard him speak with more power than then, and I heard him many times. I was satisfied. I knew him to be a prophet of God. I had heard him prophesy many times, and had seen his prophecies fulfilled, and had also shaken hands with him, and he had blessed me, and I had felt the influence and power of the Lord upon him and upon me, and I have never forgotten that blessing from that day to this, and I never shall. Two days later the Prophet was martyred, and two or three weeks later, when the saints held a conference, and Brigham Young arose as leader of the Church, I want to bear record that he spoke as Joseph used to speak; to all appearances, the same voice, the same gestures, the same stature. I bear this record to all the world, to my children and to my children’s children, and also bear record that this work is God’s work and that it will roll on as it has done from that day to this.
Clark’s reference of speaking as Joseph used to speak, the same voice, would suggest that Ezra too heard the hissing sound that accompanied every S that Joseph used to utter; only this time the sound was coming from Brigham young.
To one as well acquainted with Joseph as Ezra T. Clark, there would be no mistaking his voice and sound and gestures from that of Brigham Young.
But Ezra and Mary and their family remained steadfast to the church. Ezra’s love for the Prophet Joseph was manifest in several ways. He named a son Joseph Smith Clark, after the late prophet and then just months before he passed away, Ezra had his testimony recorded for his immediate family and for those that would follow.
Ezra was there to hear the Prophet Joseph speak through Brigham Young. It is a testimony that has whistled through time.
ELIZABETH STEVENS STEVENSON FILLED WITH PEACE AFTER HEARING JOSEPH SMITH PREACH:
After a brief illness, joseph [her husband] passed away at the age of 45. Now Elizabeth faced the responsibility of both mother and father to their family of seven. Fortunately, they were well provided for. Now, more than ever before, Elizabeth sensed the need for light and wisdom to guide her.
About this time, two Mormon missionaries, Jared Carter and Joseph Wood, came to this neighborhood to bring the gospel message of the Restored Church. The Prophet Joseph and his new Church were creating quite a stir, much curiosity and much opposition.
In a little school house near the Stevenson home Mormonism was first preached in Michigan. Elizabeth was deeply impressed. She investigated and studied. Shortly after, the Prophet Joseph himself, came to Pontiac. Elizabeth listened intently as he explained the principles of Mormonism. Her soul was filed with the spirit of peace. This was the truth and the light for which she was searching. In 1833 Elizabeth was baptized in a little lake on her own property which she permitted the Elders to use. How she wished her Joseph could have shared this experience with her.
The Prophet made frequent visits to this community. He was often a guest in Elizabeth’s home. He became her true friend, as well as her beloved prophet. “How proud we felt, partaking of our hospitality, and explaining the gospel plan to me and my children.”
… Ever on the move, the Saints were never allowed to remain in one place long at a time. Enemies of Mormonism were determined to destroy them. Eventually, they reached Nauvoo. Most of the Saints were destitute. Everyone tried to earn a little. Elizabeth’s two daughters worked in the homes of Gentiles. The Saints had no money to pay for help. Elizabeth was an excellent seamstress, and often sewed for Emma Smith, so again she was associated with the Prophet.”
Elizabeth’s daughter, Mary, wrote in her autobiography, “When we lived in Nauvoo, we often attended conference, also the Fourth of July celebrations. It was always an inspiring sight to see the Prophet Joseph in the parade. His beautiful black horse seemed to keep step with the music of the band. We also witnessed tragedy as we passed through the terrible experience of the assassination of the Prophet and his brother, Hyrum, 27 June 1844. My mother walked the dooryard in lamentation for her dear friend and leader. “
MARY STEVENSON CLARK (Daughter of Mary Stevens Stevenson) A LASTING TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH THE PROPHET:
“We lived in Missouri until the Saints were driven from there to Quincy, Illinois, and from there to Nauvoo. We moved over the Mississippi River to a town called Montrose in Iowa. We lived in a room adjoining Brigham Young’s. From there we moved to a settlement called Clarksville near a town called Charlestown. My brother Edward built a cabin, and we went to work as best we could. My sister and I worked for the gentiles for the Saints were too poor to hire us. My Mother was called upon to take care of the children of Sister Morris Phelps while she and her brother, John W. Clark, went to get her husband and others out of jail in Missouri, and she accomplished it for she was directed by the Spirit of the Lord. Mother took care and was a comfort to her children until they returned to their home.
“My sister Elisabeth and I were baptized when I was 12 years old, in Far West, Missouri by David Patten. I have always been taught to keep the Sabbath Day holy and have a testimony of the Gospel from childhood. That testimony I have heard from the Prophet Joseph Smith and others. It has always stayed with me, and I can truly say that I rejoice in the Gospel of Life and Salvation. It will continually be a joy in this life, also in the world to come if we will be obedient to keep the commandments of the Lord.
My Mother was very handy with a needle and used to help the Prophet’s wife and others of the Authorities, and so she was well acquainted and received much instruction and intelligence.
“When we lived seven miles west of Nauvoo, my husband’s Father (Timothy Baldwin Clark, father of Ezra T. Clark) had a good supply of animals, and we went often to attend Conferences and Fourth of July celebrations in Nauvoo and reviewed the Nauvoo Legion in their marching. It was a beautiful sight to see the Prophet Joseph on his prancing black horse that seemed to keep time with the music of the band. We would sometimes attend meetings in the Grove.
“We witnessed the laying of the cornerstone of the Temple and later attended the Conference held therein and received our Endowments there on New Year’s Day 1846.”
ANNA MARIA ROBINSON VISITED JOSEPH AND EMMA AT THE MANSION HOUSE:
A short sketch of the Life of Anna Maria Robinson who was a daughter of Joseph Lee and Maria Wood Robinson and was born 8 June 1838 in Boonville, New York. She was eight years old when they left Winter Quarters, Nebraska for Utah. They were one year crossing the plains by ox team. She visited many hours at the Mansion House, the home of Prophet Joseph Smith and his wife Emma. She sat on the Prophet’s lap many times.
She remembered how her father [Joseph Lee Robinson] wept, walked the floor, wrung his hands, and in anguish, cried aloud, “What will become of the Saints now that their leaders have been taken from them.” After the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and Patriarch Hyrum Smith
JOSEPH LEE ROBINSON TESTIFIES OF THE POWER AND MAJESTY OF JOSEPH SMITH:
The family moved to Nauvoo in the fall of 1841. Joseph recorded the following about meeting the Prophet Joseph Smith: “We have long since believed and known that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God, but now our eyes do see him, and our ears hear his voice. There is a power and majesty that attends his words that we never before beheld in any other man.”
ZERAH PULSIPHER MOVES TO NAUVOO AT DIRECTION OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH:
“After we had lived in this place near two years, Joseph requested the first Presidents of Seventies to come to Nauvoo; I being one of that number I immediately repaired to Nauvoo and located in its vicinity, made a farm, lived comfortably and assisted in building the Temple. But Missouri mobs were continually seeking the life of Brother Joseph. I think there had been some forty raisings against him without success.
“These mobbers finally came to the conclusion that the law could not reach him, but powder and ball could. Therefore, they organized a mob of about 200 men, put him in Carthage Jail with D. Richards, Hyrum Smith and John Taylor. The mobs came and broke the jail, shot
“Joseph and Hyrum and wounded John Taylor. (This being done it gave us a hard shock and caused much mourning) by shooting four balls into him. The fourth saved his life, striking his watch which was in his vest pocket. After Joseph had fell dead one of the ruffians made a move to take off his head but a singular light shown around him (Joseph) that struck the man with fear. They therefore flew in every direction and disappeared. Our brethren went and brought them home and buried the dead and restored the wounded.
“At this time the mob expected we should rise and give them battle; we thought best not to do it. We just kept still and continued our work on the Temple, finished it and got our end. But at that time most of the 12 were absent on missions. Sidney Rigden, who aspired for the Presidency came and called the church together and presented his claim for the Presidency. But the 12 soon came home and appeared on the stand at the day appointed for choosing. Sidney made his plea. Brigham Young began to speak and at that time I sat with my back towards the stand as did others.
“And when Brigham spoke he spoke with the voice of Joseph, and we turned around to see Brigham speaking in Joseph’s voice and behold Joseph’s mantle had fallen on him. The people understood it in the same way. Brigham stood at the head of the twelve therefore the Church turned to him.
MY OWN TESTIMONY AND WITNESS:
From Kevin V. Hunt
I’ve had a special privilege to become personally acquainted with the life and mission of the Prophet Joseph. For the last six months of my youth mission, I had the unique opportunity of serving in Nauvoo – The City of Joseph. I there felt the power of his spirit, his life and mission, as I walked the streets and lived each day in the beautiful town that he built and loved. I developed a great love for Joseph Smith as I saw firsthand the fruits of his labors and as I taught and testified of him to the many people who came to the visitor’s center and restored homes. From that experience I can testify that he was indeed a Prophet. I know that he was. And that testimony has grown even stronger as I now have returned to Nauvoo as a Senior site guide missionary with my wife – and as I now teach visitors as I did 49 years before. It is a glorious experience.
Having read, studied, pondered and prayed about Joseph Smith, his “First Vision” and subsequent visits from angelic messengers, I (Kevin Hunt) have felt the witness of the Holy Ghost relative to Joseph and the coming forth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our day. I know that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, did in reality come to earth and that they spoke as live and resurrected beings to Joseph Smith – giving him much guidance and instruction for our day. I have come to know that Joseph was indeed called of God and that the Church was restored once again to the earth through him. I know that Joseph became and was a prophet of God. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is indeed the Lord’s only true church here upon the earth. I know that The Book of Mormon is true and contains the fulness of the Lord’s Everlasting Gospel. I am and will forever be grateful for this knowledge and for the truths restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith and because of his visit from God and Christ.
And so, on this, the occasion of the 180th anniversary of the death of Joseph and Hyrum, I rejoice, as did Brigham Young, “that ever I knew the Prophet Joseph Smith.”
It is my hope that indeed, “Millions Shall Know Brother Joseph Again.”
Happy to be on Joseph’s Nauvoo trail …
Kevin Hunt
On the Nauvoo Trail 