JOSEPH , “SEALED HIS MISSION AND HIS WORKS”
Works of Joseph website was started in 2011 as a way to honor the Prophet Joseph Smith. Everything he has done, will do, and continues to do, has been and always will be focused on testifying of the Lord Jesus Christ.
As the scripture says in D&C 135:3. “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 fullness 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!”
What ever Joseph Smith possessed, spoke of, acted out, preached, served, translated, worshiped, revealed, and testified of; witnesses as a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Prophet of this Last Dispensation and holds the keys in these last days. It will be well with us to learn about him and speak of him as he will lead us to the Savior.
Along with Moroni holding the keys of the Stick of Ephraim (D&C 27:5), Joseph Smith and Hyrum I believe, will lead us during the millennium. May the Lord help each of us to become more familiar with these amazing prophets and strive to follow the Lord Jesus Christ in all we do.
Editor: worksofjoseph.com, Rian Nelson – [email protected]
I share some details from the Joseph Smith Papers that speak about the Martyrdom of our wonderful Prophet and Leader. We look tenderly at the date of June 27th which is today. I know Joseph is and was a Prophet of the Living God, and I know Joseph continues with us today. He is the leader of this last dispensation and continues to serve us all.
Brigham Young about Joseph Smith
“Who can say aught against Joseph Smith? I do not think that a man lives on the earth that knew him any better than I did, and I am bold to say that, Jesus Christ excepted, no better man ever lived or does live upon this earth. I feel like shouting Hallelujah all the time, when I think that I ever knew Joseph Smith, the Prophet.” Millennial Star, XXI (July 11, 1863)
Wilford Woodruff about Joseph Smith
“The Prophet called the Quorum of the Twelve together several months before his death, and informed them that the Lord had commanded him to hasten their endowments; that he did not expect to remain himself to see the Temple completed; that he wished to confer the keys of the Kingdom of God upon other men, that they might build up the Church and Kingdom according to the pattern given. The Prophet stood before the Twelve from day to day, clothed with the spirit and power of God, and instructed them in the oracles of God, in the pattern of heavenly things, in the keys of the Kingdom, in the power of the priesthood, and in the knowledge of the last dispensation of the fulness of times.
In his last charge to the Quorum of the Twelve, he rose up in all the majesty, strength, and dignity of his calling, as a prophet, seer, and revelator, out of the loins of ancient Joseph, and exhorted and commanded the brethren of the Twelve to rise up, and go forth in the name of Israel’s God, and bear off the keys of the Kingdom of God in righteousness and in honor in all the world. They were instructed to walk in all holiness, godliness, faith, virtue, temperance, patience, and charity; to do honor to the cause of God in this last dispensation and fulness of times; and when their work was finished, to follow his example by boldly sealing their testimony with their blood, for the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, if necessity required it, that they might be prepared for the reward, which is beyond the veil.
Those who were present on those occasions cannot forget the teachings that fell from the lips of that noble, but now martyred Prophet of God. Though his body sleeps in the tomb, his testimony lives, not only in the hearts of men, but is on record and will remain in force, while his persecutors will reap a just reward for all their works. And I hereby bear my testimony unto all men into whose hands these lines may fall, that I have been acquainted with Joseph, and Hyrum Smith, the Prophet and the Patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; have attended their private and public counsels from time to time, during the last ten years of my life; and notwithstanding their enemies have caused the earth to be deluged, as it were, with lies, slanders, and fabrications, with the intent to injure their character and destroy their influence among men; that I have never heard either of those men teach, counsel, or advocate, or practice any principle that was contrary to the word of God, virtue, or temperance, or unbecoming men standing in their high and holy calling. On the contrary, I have been astonished at the patience, forbearance, long-suffering, philanthropy, and charity manifested in the lives of those men. I have been filled with joy by the beauty, order, knowledge, principles, intelligence, and glory manifest in the teachings, counsels, and revelations of Jesus Christ given through those servants of God, for the benefit of the children of men in this last dispensation.” WILFORD WOODRUFF FOURTH PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS History of His Life and Labors AS RECORDED IN HIS DAILY JOURNALS “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”—Rev. 3:21. PREPARED FOR PUBLICATION BY MATTHIAS F. COWLEY Salt Lake City, Utah 1909
“I told Stephen Markham that if I and Hyrum were ever taken again, we should be massacred, or I was not a prophet of God; “I want Hyrum to live to avenge my blood, but he is determined not to leave me.” [HC 6:546]
Joseph Smith Speaks to Evil doers that his blood is all they want.
“Several of the officers of the troops in Carthage, and other gentlemen, curious to see the prophet, and to gratify a propensity to see the Elephant, visited Joseph in his room. Gen. Smith asked them if there was anything in his appearance that indicated he was the desperate character his enemies represented him to be; and he asked them to give him their honest opinion on the subject. The reply was “No, sir, your appearance would indicate the very contrary, General Smith, but we cannot see what is in your heart, neither can we tell what are your intentions;” to which Joseph replied,
“Very true, gentlemen, you cannot see what is in my heart, and you are therefore unable to judge me or my intentions; but I can see what is in your hearts, and will tell you what I see: I can see you thirst for blood, and nothing but my blood will satisfy you. It is not for crime of any description that I and my brethren are thus continually persecuted and harassed by our enemies, but there are other motives, and some of them I have expressed so far as relates to myself, and inasmuch as you and the people thirst for blood, I prophesy in the name of the Lord that you shall witness scenes of blood and sorrow to your entire satisfaction. Your souls shall be perfectly satiated with blood, and many of you who are now present shall have an opportunity to face the cannon’s mouth from sources you think not of; and those people that desire this great evil upon me and my brethren, shall be filled with regret and sorrow because of the scenes of desolation and distress that await them. They shall seek for peace, and shall not be able to find it. Gentlemen, you will find what I have told you to be true.”
Josephs last letters to Emma
Page 408
8.20 a. m. Joseph wrote to Emma as follows:— [HC 6:604]
“Dear Emma,
The Governor 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; and I want you to tell Bro. [Jonathan] Dunham 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 Governor, they are called together to receive communications from the Governor, which would please our people, but let the Governor 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 meeting among the troops (which we do not anticipate; excitement is abating) a part will remain loyal and stand for the defense of the State and our rights. There is one principle which is Eternal, it is the duty of all men to protect their lives, and the lives of the household, whenever necessity requires, and no power has a right to forbid it,— should the last extreme arrive, but I anticipate no such extreme, but I anticipate no such extreme, but caution is the parent of safety.
Joseph Smith
“P. S. 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 and all my friends, Mr [James] Brewer, and all who inquire after me; and as for treason, I know that I have not committed any, and they cannot prove an appearance of anything of the kind, so you need not have any fears that any harm can happen to us on that score. May God bless you all. Amen
Joseph Smith.
JSP History, 1838–1856, volume F-1 [1 May 1844–8 August 1844]
4 P. M. The guard was again changed; only eight men being stationed at the jail, whilst the main body of [HC 6:615] the Carthage Greys were in camp about a quarter of a mile distant, on the public square.
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4¼. Joseph commenced conversing with the guard about Joseph H. Jackson, William [Law] and Wilson Law, and others of his persecutors
Hyrum and Dr. Richards conversed together until 5¼.
5.20. Jailer [George] Stigall returned to the jail, and said that Stephen Markham had been surrounded by a mob, who had driven him out of Carthage, and he had gone to Nauvoo. Stigall suggested that they would be safer in the cell. Joseph said, “after supper we will go in” Mr Stigall went out, and Joseph said to “Dr Richards, “If we go into the cell will you go in with us?” The doctor answered, “brother Joseph, you did not ask me to cross the river with you— you did not ask me to come to Carthage you did not ask me to come to Jail with you— and do you think I would forsake [p. 181] < June 27> you now? But I will tell you what I will do; 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.”
< June 27> you now? But I will tell you what I will do; 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.”
Before the jailer came in, his boy brought in some water, and said the guard wanted some wine. Joseph gave Dr Richards two half dollars to give the guard; but the guard said one was enough, and would take no more. The guard immediately sent for a bottle of wine, pipes, and two small papers of tobacco; and one of the guard brought them into the jail soon after the jailer went out. Dr Richards uncorked the bottle and presented a glass to Joseph, who tasted, as also brother Taylor and the Doctor, and the bottle was then given to the guard who turned to go out. When at the top of the stairs some one below called him two or three times, and he went down. [HC 6:616] Immediately there was a little rustling at the outer door of the jail, and a cry of surrender, and also a discharge of three or four fire arms followed instantly. The doctor glanced an eye by the curtain of the window, and saw about a hundred armed men around the door.
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It is said that the guard elevated their firelocks, and boisterously threatening the mob discharged their firearms over their heads. The mob encircled the building, and some of them rushed by the guard up the flight of stairs, burst open the door, and began the work of death, while others fired in through the open windows.
In the meantime Joseph, Hyrum, and Taylor had their coats off; Joseph sprung to his coat for his six shooter, Hyrum for his single barrel, Taylor for [Stephen] Markham’s large hickory cane, and Dr Richards for Taylor’s cane; all sprang against the door; the balls whistled up the stairway, and in an instant one came through the door. Joseph Smith, John Taylor, and Dr Richards sprang to the left of the door, and tried to knock aside the guns of the ruffians. Hyrum was retreating back in front of the door and snapped his pistol, when a ball struck him in the left side of his nose, and he fell on his back on the floor, saying, “I am a dead man”. As he fell on the floor, another ball from the outside entered his left side and passed through his body with such force that it completely broke to pieces his watch which he wore in his vest pocket, and at the same instant another ball from the door grazed his breast and entered his head by the throat; <subsequently> a fourth ball entered his left leg. A shower of balls were pouring through all parts of the room, many of which lodged in the ceiling just above the head of Hyrum. [HC 6:617]
Joseph reached round the door casing, and discharged his six shooter into the passage, several barrels missing fire. Continual discharges of musketry came into the room.
Elder Taylor continued parrying their guns until they had got them about half their length into the room, when he found that resistance was vain, and he attempted to jump out of the window, where a ball fired from within struck him on his left thigh, hitting the bone, and passing through to within half an inch of the other side. He fell on the window sill, when a ball fired from the outside struck his watch in his vest pocket, and threw him back into the room. [p. 182] <June 27> After he fell into the room he was hit by two more balls, one of them injuring his left wrist considerably, and the other entering at the side of the bone, just below the left knee. He rolled under the bed, which was at the right of the window in the South east corner of the room. While he lay under the bed he was fired at several times from the stairway; one ball struck him on the left hip which tore the flesh in a shocking manner, and large quantities of blood were scattered upon the wall and floor.
<June 27> After he fell into the room he was hit by two more balls, one of them injuring his left wrist considerably, and the other entering at the side of the bone, just below the left knee. He rolled under the bed, which was at the right of the window in the South east corner of the room. While he lay under the bed he was fired at several times from the stairway; one ball struck him on the left hip which tore the flesh in a shocking manner, and large quantities of blood were scattered upon the wall and floor.
When Hyrum fell, Joseph exclaimed, “Oh dear! brother Hyrum,” and opening the door a few inches he discharged his six shooter in the stairway (as stated before) two or three barrels of which missed fire. Joseph, seeing there was no safety in the room, and probably thinking that it would save the lives of his brethren in the room if he could escape, turned calmly from the door, dropped his pistol on the floor, and sprang into the window, when two balls pierced him from the door, and one entered his right breast from without, and he fell outward into the hands of his murderers exclaiming “O Lord my God”!! [HC 6:618] He fell partly on his right shoulder and back, his neck and head reaching the ground a little before his feet, and he rolled instantly on his face. From this position he was taken by a man who was barefoot and bareheaded, and having on no coat, his pants rolled up above his knees, and his shirt sleeves above his elbows. He set Joseph against the south side of the well curb, which was situated a few feet from the jail, when Col. Levi Williams ordered four men to shoot him; they stood about eight feet from the curb, and fired simultaneously. A slight cringe of the body was all the indication of pain visible when the balls struck him, and he fell on his face
The ruffian who set him against the well curb now gathered a bowie knife for the purpose of severing his head from his body. He raised the knife, and was in the attitude of striking, when a light, so sudden and powerful, burst from the heavens upon the bloody scene (passing its vivid chain between Joseph and his murderers) that they were struck with terror. This light, in its appearance and potency, baffles all powers of description. The arm of the ruffian that held the knife fell powerless; the muskets of the four who fired fell to the ground, and they all stood like marble statues, not having the power to move a single limb of their bodies.
The retreat of the mob was as hurried and disorderly as it possibly could have been. Col Williams hallooed to some who had just commenced their retreat to come back and help to carry off the four men who fired, and who were still paralysed; they came and carried them away by main strength to the baggage wagons, when they fled towards Warsaw.
Dr Richards’ escape was miraculous, he being a very large man, and in the midst of a shower of balls, yet he stood unscatheed, with the exception of a ball which took away the tip end of the lower part of his left ear; which fulfilled literally a prophecy which Joseph made over a year previously, that the time would come that the balls would fly around him like hail, and he should see his friends fall on the right and on the left, but that there should not be a hole in his garment.
We here insert the location of the Twelve Apostles on this memorable day:
456 Prest B[righam] Young and Elder W[ilford] Woodruff spent a portion of the day together in the city of Boston, and were sitting together in the railway depot [p. 229] <June 27> at the time of the massacre of the Prophets: they felt very sorrowful, and depressed in spirits, without knowing the cause.
457 Elders H[eber] C. Kimball and Lyman Wight travelled from Philadelphia to New York by Railway and Steamboat. <Elder Kimball felt very mournful as though he had lost some friend, and knew not the cause.>
Elder O[rson] Hyde was in the hall occupied by the Saints in Boston, examining maps, and designating, or pointing out each man’s district, or field of labor, in company with Elders B. Young, W. Woodruff and others, a part of the day. He felt very heavy and sorrowful in spirit, and knew not the cause, but felt no heart to look on the maps. He retired to the further end of the hall alone, and walked the floor: tears ran down his face and wet the floor as he walked. He never felt so before, and knew no reason why he should feel so then.
458 Elder P[arley] P. Pratt was on the canal boat between Utica and Buffalo N. Y., on his return to Nauvoo, and was much depressed in spirit; his Bro William Pratt came on board of the same boat, and Parley asked him if he had any books or pamphlets containing the Gospel of Christ, or the word of life, if so, to put them under lock and key for the people were not worthy [HC 7:132] of them, for said Parley “I feel <that> the spirit of murder is in the hearts of the people through the land”
Elder Orson Pratt [2 lines blank]
Elders Willard Richards and John Taylor were the only two of the Quorum of the Twelve who were not on missions, and the only two men who were with the martyrs when they fell and sealed their testimony with their blood.
459 Elder Geo. A. Smith was at the house of <rode with Elder Crandall Dunn from Napoleon to Elder> Noah Willis Bartholemew’s <near> Jacksonburgh, Jackson Co., Michigan, and felt unusually cast down and depressed in spirits. <About 5 o’clock he repaired to an oak grove and called upon the Lord, endeavoring to break the spell of horror which had dominion over his mind. He remained there a long time without finding any relief, and then went back to Bro. Bartholemew’s and went to bed with Elder Crandall Dunn: he could not sleep, but spent the night in a series of miserable thoughts and reflections. Once it seemed to him that some fiend whispered in his ear “Joseph and Hyrum Smith are dead, aint you glad of it.”>
Elder Amasa Lyman was in the city of Cincinnati, and felt that depression of spirit mentioned by his brethren.
A Tribute
“As suggested earlier, the life of Joseph Smith in some degree followed the pattern set by his Master, Jesus Christ. That pattern holds true even when extended to its tragic conclusion. Like his Master, Joseph Smith also shed his blood in order that the final testament, the reestablishment of the new covenant, might be in full effect. (See Heb. 9:16.) Just prior to his death, the Prophet Joseph was reported to have remarked:
“I am tired, I have been mobbed, I have suffered so much. Some of the brethren think they can carry this work out better than I can, far better. I have asked the Lord to take me out of this world. I have stood all I can. I have to seal my testimony to this generation with my blood. I have to do it, for this work will never progress until I am gone, for the testimony is of no force until the testator is dead. People little know who I am when they talk about me, and they never will know until they see me weighed in the balance in the kingdom of God. Then they will know who I am, see me as I am” (Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner, in They Knew the Prophet, compiled by Hyrum and Helen Mae Andrus, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1974, pages 26–27).
President Brigham Young offered this testimonial: “Who can justly say aught against Joseph Smith? … I am bold to say that, Jesus Christ excepted, no better man ever lived or does live upon this earth” (Discourses of Brigham Young, page 459). Elder Wilford Woodruff observed: “There is not so great a man as Joseph standing in this generation. … His mind, like Enoch’s, expands as eternity, and only God can comprehend his soul” (In Journal History, 9 April 1837).
One of the significant challenges we face as Latter-day Saints at the close of the twentieth century is to be true and faithful to the legacy Joseph Smith left us. The Psalmist declared that in the last days the wicked would strike at the foundations of the faith of believers (see JST, Ps. 11:1–3) and would seek to undermine those fundamental verities which underlie our commitment to the church and kingdom of God. This has entailed and will yet entail attempts—both vicious and subtle—to malign the name and labors of Joseph Smith, the founding prophet of this dispensation. But be it remembered that the God of heaven has called and approved Joseph Smith; those who attempt to mar the name and image of the Prophet of the Restoration will eventually answer to God for their actions.
President George Albert Smith observed: “Many have belittled Joseph Smith, but those who have will be forgotten in the remains of mother earth, and the odor of their infamy will ever be with them, but honor, majesty, and fidelity to God, exemplified by Joseph Smith and attached to his name, will never die” (cited by Harold B. Lee in Conference Report, October 1973, page 166).
Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of the living God. I know that the Lord appeared to him, called him, and empowered him to reveal the Father and Son and the doctrines of salvation to a world that had been wandering for centuries in darkness. May the Lord endow each of us with the commitment and spiritual strength to live as we believe, in order that we can evidence our appreciation for God our Father, for Jesus Christ his Son, d for their preeminent prophetic witness in these last days, Joseph Smith the Prophet.” Joseph Smith Among the Prophets by Robert L. Millet
Triumph over all His foes- Art and Movie by Andrew Knaupp
