On this day in 1844, Joseph Smith Jr. and his brother Hyrum died in Carthage, IL.
Ten years ago I visited Carthage and stood in the very place where it happened. Joseph Smith fell from the upper window of this building after being shot. The hole in the door was made by the bullet that hit Hyrum in the face.
Joseph Smith is an important person to me. Unfortunately, we're not related, despite what you might think! On this anniversary of his martyrdom, I want to write some personal feelings about the man who established The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Joseph Smith was a cheerful fellow who truly loved his neighbor as himself. I respect and admire him more for this than for any other characteristic or accomplishment. He remained peaceful and faithful in the most dire of circumstances. He provided a great example by loving his enemies.
Joseph was courageous. He learned early on to love God more than man, and held to the truths he knew at great personal cost. Eventually at the cost of his life. His example of courage strengthens me when my own convictions are challenged, berated, or belittled.
Although I obviously never knew Joseph in person, I have come to know him by studying his life, and I have a deep love for him. I am convinced that he was a man of God who accomplished a great work for the benefit of mankind. He was a man indeed—not without flaw or fault. But he was also a chosen messenger of divine principles.
An announcement of the martyrdom reads in part:
They were innocent of any crime, as they had often been proved before, and were only confined in jail by the conspiracy of traitors and wicked men; and their innocent blood on the floor of Carthage jail is a broad seal affixed to “Mormonism” that cannot be rejected by any court on earth, and their innocent blood on the escutcheon of the State of Illinois, with the broken faith of the State as pledged by the governor, is a witness to the truth of the everlasting gospel that all the world cannot impeach; and their innocent blood on the banner of liberty, and on the magna charta of the United States, is an ambassador for the religion of Jesus Christ, that will touch the hearts of honest men among all nations; and their innocent blood, with the innocent blood of all the martyrs under the altar that John saw, will cry unto the Lord of Hosts till he avenges that blood on the earth.
How true that the sacrifice of their lives testifies of the truth of the work of Jesus Christ! Joseph's entire life teaches about the process of receiving revelation line upon line, and moving forward with faith even when we don't have answers. His life teaches of making mistakes and of repentance. His life teaches of second chances, the pain of refinement, and a willingness to sacrifice despite weakness and flaws.
The scene of martyrdom is depicted the film below beginning at 57:50. I recommend the entire film as an introduction to Joseph Smith. For the more academically curious, I'll include some resources below.
As for me, I join my voice with that of Lucy, Joseph's mother. "I am [a] witness of the restoration of Christ's church upon the Earth. I leave the world at liberty to pass judgment upon what I have spoken as seemeth them good."
The Joseph Smith Papers: Compilation of all of the known papers of Joseph Smith. Includes journals, correspondence, sermons, revelations, business, and legal documents.
What members of The Church of Jesus Christ believe about Joseph Smith: Seeker of truth, prophet of God, husband and father, martyr.