Martyrdom of Joseph Smith

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) consider Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805–1844) to be the founder and first prophet of the Church in the latter days. The Prophet Joseph is also remembered as martyr for the cause.

On June 25 1844 Governor Thomas Ford of Illinois told the state militia that Joseph and his brother Hyrum were “dangerous men” (History of the Church, 5:563) and guilty of treason. The two brothers went to Carthage, Illinois to deliver themselves up to the “pretended requirements of the law” (Doctrine and Covenants 135:1). Joseph Smith said of the event, “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 be said of me—He was murdered in cold blood” (Doctrine and Covenants 135:4).

Joseph and Hyrum were then sent to Carthage Jail, along with John Taylor and Willard Richards, members of the Church administrative body known as the Quorum of the Twelve. The four men remained in the jail for two days. On June 27 a mob, made up of members of the town militia who were in charge of protecting Joseph, overran the jail. The mob, later described by John Taylor as men who were “armed” and “painted black” (Doctrine and Covenants 135:1) entered the room in which the men were being held. Hyrum Smith was shot multiple times and fell dead to the floor. John Taylor was also shot in several places and rolled under the bed. Joseph Smith was shot in the back from inside the jail and shot in the chest from outside the jail. He fell dead out the window. (See History of the Church, 6:602-18, also Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, 348).

John Taylor and Willard Richards were both present at the martyrdom and survived. John Taylor, who later became the third President and Prophet of the Church, wrote: “Hyrum was shot first and fell calmly, exclaiming: I am a dead man! 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” (Doctrine and Covenants 135:1).

Of the Prophet Joseph, John Taylor also wrote, “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” (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3).

Mormons believe that Joseph Smith is a “testator,” meaning he “provided to mankind a witness of God’s covenants” (Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, pg 350). When Joseph Smith died, his death “place[d] a seal of truth on the testament” (Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, 350).

Joseph Smith, Jr. gave his life to the cause of building the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which restoration members believe brought the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ back to the earth. After having restored precious truths to the earth, through the power of the Lord, the Prophet Joseph sacrificed his life. Mormons today “look to the Prophet with reverence because of what he did for their understanding of Jesus Christ and His mission” (Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, 349). In this way Mormons are ever grateful to Joseph Smith’s righteousness and obedience to the divine mission he had in life.