There’s no salvific value in his death, of course — although it does seal his testimony as a witness (Greek martyros).
But I still believe that we should remember it:
Along with his beloved and loyal elder brother Hyrum — the fact that his elder brother was loyal to him unto death has always struck me as a testimony, in and of itself — Joseph Smith was assassinated by an anti-Mormon mob on 27 June 1844.
Elder John Taylor, the future third president of the Church (who was born in Milnthorpe, about thirty miles from where I now type), was with Joseph and Hyrum at Carthage Jail when the mob attacked, and he himself was savagely wounded during the assault. Shortly thereafter, he wrote this:
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! (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3)
Remember!
Posted from Brockwood Hall, Cumbria, England
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In