“You simply couldn’t help but like him”

Three testimonials that I marked during my reading of Hyrum L. Andrus and Helen Mae Andrus, Personal Glimpses of the Prophet Joseph Smith (American Fork, UT: Covenant Communications, 2009):

S. L. Partridge was nearly seven years old when Joseph Smith was murdered at Carthage, Illinois, on 27 June 1844:

Joseph’s love for children would be shown by him placing his hand on my head, or lovingly drawing me towards him, or taking me upon his knee and kissing me.  He was truly a prophet of God, with a power and influence about him which could be felt even by a little child.  (166)

Mrs. Franklin D. Richards:

The first time I ever saw Joseph Smith, I recognized him from a dream I had had.  He had such an angelic countenance as I never saw before.  He was then 34 years of age, of ordinary appearance in dress and manner, a child-like appearance of innocence.  His hair was of a light brown, blue eyes and light complexioned.  His natural demeanor was earnest.  His character and disposition were formed by his life-work.  He was kind and considerate, taking a personal interest in all his people, considering every one his equal. . . .

I remember perfectly well his appearance when he delivered his last sermon before going to Carthage.  He seemed impressed with the conviction that he was to meet his death, and seemed at first to shrink from going, but in this meeting he told his people that he was innocent of any charge that could be brought against him; and if he must go he would go like a man, and if he should die he would die like a man.  (166-167)

Lorenzo Hatch:

I am rather proud and thankful, too, that I knew Joseph Smith, for I don’t have to take any other man’s testimony as to what kind of a man he was — know that myself.  And he was a fine man, too, I can tell you.  He was brave, fearless, and frank, but he was kind and sympathetic also.  Some people imagine that he was an ignorant man, but that is entirely wrong, for in those days one seldom met a brighter, more progressive man than the Prophet. . . 

Joseph Smith scorned deceit, and the people loved him for his candor. . . .

I have never met a man yet that I admired so sincerely, and I have met a few, too.  You simply couldn’t help but like him, he was so considerate, so sympathetic and so manly. . . .

I have never ceased to mourn for him, for I can’t help thinking how much he would have done in the world had he lived.  (167-168)

Posted from Garden City, Utah