In a revelation received on January 14, 1847 (now canonized as section 136 of the Doctrine and Covenants), Brigham Young, addressing the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, said that:
Many have marveled because of his
death; but it was needful that he should seal his testimony with his blood,
that he might be honored and the wicked might be condemned. (D&C 136:39)
Some may take this to mean that the Lord (and Brigham Young) believed
that Joseph’s death was something that was a “fixed” event and would happen, no
ifs, ands, or buts about it. However, in a sermon dated March 21, 1858,
just over 11 years after D&C 136 was received, Brigham clearly did not
believe that Joseph and Hyrum’s deaths in Carthage Jail were something that was
a “fixed” event in salvation history:
Joseph's going to Carthage did not
save this people. I have acknowledged the hand of the Lord in it from the
beginning, and say it was right, it was all well enough, but the people would
have been just as well off if Joseph had left the country. . . . I will deviate
from my subject a little, and say a few words with regard to br. Joseph that
some, perhaps, have not understood. If Joseph Smith, jun., the Prophet, had
followed the Spirit of revelation in him he never would have gone to Carthage.
Do you understand that? [Voices, 'Yes.'] A great many do, and some do not. Many
of the first Elders of this church have a different understanding; they are
under the impression that he went there according to his own choice. Joseph
intended to go West; he designed to raise a company to come to the very country
we now occupy. He said, "I can see life and liberty and salvation in that
course, but if I return to give myself up, it is death and darkness to the
full; I am like a lamb led to the slaughter," and never for one moment did
he say that he had one particle of light in him after he started back from
Montrose to give himself up in Nauvoo. This he did through the persuasion of
others. I want you all to understand that.
With regard to myself I cannot say
what I will do. I do not know precisely in what manner the Lord will lead me,
but were I thrown into the situation Joseph was, I would leave the people and
go into the wilderness, and let them do the best they could. Will I run from
the sheep? No. Will I forsake the flock? No. But if Joseph had followed the
revelations in him he would have been our earthly shepherd to-day, and we would
have heard his voice and followed the shepherd instead of the shepherd's
following the sheep. When the shepherd follows the sheep it reverses the
natural order, for the sheep are to follow the shepherd. (A
Series of Instructions and Remarks by President Brigham Young at a Special
Council, Tabernacle, March 21, 1858 [Salt Lake City: n.p., 1858], 3-4)