Recollections of Prophecies of Joseph Smith in "Remembering Joseph: Personal Recollections of Those Who Knew the Prophet Joseph Smith" (2013)

Source: Remembering Joseph: Personal Recollections of Those Who Knew the Prophet Joseph Smith Companion CD-ROM (Mark McConkie, 2003)

Jared Carter (b. January 14, 1801)

Before this [i.e., June 6, 1831] was that memorable day when God first gave the fullness of the high priesthood to the elders of the Church of Christ. At the interview, Brother Joseph, notwithstanding he is not naturally talented for a speaker yet he was filled with the power of the Holy Ghost so that he spoke as I never heard man speak for God, by the power of the Holy Ghost spoke in him and marvelous was the display of the power of the spirit among the elders present.

"Journal of Jared Carter," typescript copy, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah. (p. 196)

[From Kirtland I] commenced a mission to the east on [the] 22nd day of September 1831, with Brother Ebensar Page. We traveled to Hiram, in the first place, where we attended meeting where Brother Joseph and Sidney live. Brother Joseph, after I had come there, asked me if I was willing to preach to them. I told him that I was, accordingly I endeavored to on Sunday, the 25th. In the afternoon, we had a meeting and Brother Joseph, the Prophet and Seer, before the meeting closed had the spirit of prophecy come on him while he was looking upon me and I saw that the form of his countenance was changed, he while looking upon me said, "Bless the Lord" and after this prophesied relative to the mission that I had commenced and expressed what should take place on conditions I was faithful and in this I found him of the truth and to predict the truth for the whole was fulfilled.

"Journal of Jared Carter," typescript copy, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah. (p. 197)

Howard Coray (May 6, 1817-January 16, 1908)

 

Subsequent, some three or four weeks, to getting my leg broken, and while at meeting, the blessing of the Prophet came into my mind, viz: "that I should soon find a companion, etc. etc." So I thought I would take a square look at the congregation, and see who there was, that possibly the fair one promised me might be present. After looking and gazing awhile at the audience, my eyes settled upon a young lady sitting in a one-horse buggy. She was an entire stranger to me and a resident of some other place. I concluded to approach near enough to her to scan her features well and thus be able to decide in my own mind whether her looks would satisfy my taste. She had dark brown eyes, very bright and penetrating, at least they penetrated me, and I said to myself, she will do. The fact is, I was decidedly struck.

 

After the dismissal of the meeting, instead of going for my dinner, I remained on the ground and presently commenced promenading about to see what I could see. I had not gone far before I came square in front of the lovely miss, walking arm in arm with a Mrs. Harris, with whom I was well acquainted. They stopped and Mrs. Harris said, "Brother Coray, I have the honor of introducing you to Miss Martha Knowlton, from Bear Creek." I, of course, bowed as politely as I knew how and she curtsied, and we then fell into somewhat familiar conversation. I discovered at once that she was ready, offhand, and inclined to be witty; also, that her mind took a wider range than was common for young ladies of her age. This interview, though short, was indeed very enjoyable, and closed with the hope that she might be the one whom the Lord had picked for me; and thus it proved to be. I shall not go into all the details of our courtship; suffice it to say, every move I made, seemed to count one in the right direction. I let Brother Joseph into the secret and showed him a letter that I had written, designed for her. He seemed to take uncommon interest in the matter and took pains to see her and talk with her about me, telling her that I was just the one for her. A few letters passed between us; I visited her at her home, proposed, was accepted, and on the 6th day of February, 1841, we were married at her father's house. Brother Robert B. Thompson performed the ceremony. I will say in this connection that what the Prophet said in regard to the companion which I should soon find has been fully verified. A more intelligent, self-sacrificing, and devoted wife and mother, few men have been blessed with.

 

"Diary (Autobiography) of Howard Coray, 1821-1888," BYU Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah, 11-12. (pp. 243-44)

Elias Cox (January 15, 1835-May 8, 1917)

 

I first saw the Prophet in 1842. He was a very handsome man, with blue eyes, and a countenance gleaming with beauty from his pure thoughts and enlightened work. He had a very pleasant disposition and always seemed to be happy.

 

I attended many meetings where he presided; and can testify to the world that he was a true Prophet of God. I call to mind one prophecy which I saw immediately fulfilled. It was in regard to the Saints who had assembled at the usual gathering place in Nauvoo grove. A severe storm arose. We grew very frightened and were preparing for home. Joseph told us to just arise to our feet, and the storm wouldn't hurt us. We obeyed. The storm soon passed away, the sun shone warm and the President resumed his speaking. The only time I saw him during his persecutions was at the time of his last arrest. He was escaping the enemy by secretly visiting with some friends not living in Nauvoo. An officer came from Missouri, and joining with one from Hancock County, soon found where he was and arrested him. On their return to the settlement they had to pass our home, which was three miles from Nauvoo, where a company of Mormons gathered to meet them.

 

People not living in those days can only imagine what a shock it must have been to the Saints when the news was broken of the assassination of the dear leader. Questions soon arose—who shall our next president be? I heard Brother Brigham speak and that is the first time that I ever saw two men look and sound so much alike in all my life. And after he had sat down, I wondered where Joseph had gone.

 

Elias Cox, "Joseph Smith, the Prophet," Young Woman's Journal 17, no. 12 (December 1906): 544 (pp. 265-66)

Philo Dibble (June 6, 1806-1895)

 

On one occasion Joseph was preaching in Kirtland sometime in the fall of 1833. Quite a number of persons were present who did not belong to the Church, and one man, more bitter and skeptical than others, made note with pencil and paper of a prophecy uttered on that occasion, wherein Joseph said that "Forty days shall not pass, and the stars shall fall from heaven." Such an event would certainly be very unusual and improbable to the natural man, and the skeptic wrote the words as a sure evidence to prove Joseph to be a false Prophet.

 

On the thirty-ninth day after the utterance of that prophecy a man and brother in the Church, by the name of Joseph Hancock, who is yet living, in Payson, Utah, and another brother were out hunting game and got lost. They wandered about until night, when they found themselves at the house of this unbeliever, who exultingly produced this note of Joseph Smith's prophecy, and asked Brother Hancock what he thought of his Prophet now, that thirtynine days had passed and the prophecy was not fulfilled

 

Brother Hancock was unmoved and quietly remarked, "There is one night left of the time, and if Joseph said so, the stars will certainly fall tonight. This prophecy will all be fulfilled."

 

The matter weighed upon the mind of Brother Hancock, who watched that night, and it proved to be the historical one, known in all the world as "the night of the falling of the stars."

 

He stayed that night at the house of the skeptical unbeliever, as it was too far from home to return by night, and in the midst of the falling of the stars he went to the door of his host and called him out to witness what he had thought impossible and the most improbable thing that could happen, especially as that was the last night in which Joseph Smith could be saved from the condemnation of "a false prophet."

 

The whole heavens were lit up with the falling meteors, and the countenance of the new spectator was plainly seen and closely watched by Brother Hancock, who said that he turned pale as death, and spoke not a word. After that event the unbeliever sought the company of any Latter-day Saint. He even enticed Mormon children to keep him company at his house. Not long afterwards, too, he sent for Joseph and Hyrum to come to his house, which they did, but with no noticeable results, for I believe he never received the gospel.

 

Philo Dibble, "Recollections of the Prophet Joseph Smith," Juvenile Instructor 27, no. 1 (1 January 1892): 23. (pp. 311-12)

Jessie Williams Fox (March 31, 1819-April 1, 1894)

 

Speaking about Russia brings to mind a prophecy which is accredited to the Prophet Joseph Smith, concerning this country. Elder Jesse W. Fox, Sr., received the narration from Father Taylor, the father of the late President John Taylor. The old gentleman said that at one time the Prophet Joseph Smith was in his house conversing about the Battle of Waterloo, in which Father Taylor had taken part. Suddenly the Prophet turned and said, "Father Taylor, you will live to see, though I will not, greater battles than that of Waterloo." The slave question will cause a division between the North and the South, and in these wars greater battles than Waterloo will occur. But," he continued, with emphasis, "when the great bear (Russia) lays her paw on the lion (England) the winding up scene is not far distant."

 

These words were uttered before there was any prospect of war with Mexico, and such a thing as division in the United States was never contemplated. Yet these fierce struggles came, and though Joseph himself was slain before they occurred, Father Taylor lived to witness some of the world's most remarkable battles. [He died May 27, 1870, in Salt Lake City, Utah.]

 

The struggle between the bear and the lion has not yet happened, but as surely as Joseph the Prophet ever predicted such an event so surely will it not fail of its fulfillment.

 

Jessie W. Fox, "A Russian Naval Station," Juvenile Instructor 25, no. 6 (25 March 1890): 162 (pp. 363-64)

Aroet Lucius Hale (May 18, 1828-December 13, 1911)

I became better acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith. I was in my 17th year when the Prophet Joseph [Smith] and Hyrum Smith were martyred. I well remember many incidents that happened while living in Nauvoo. I was well acquainted with the Prophet's most bitter enemies, John C. Bennett, Dr. Foster, the Higbees and Laws. They were all members of our Church.

Bennett was an adulterous man. The Prophet told him of his wickedness and warned him to repent. This made him more angry and he swore vengeance against the Prophet Joseph Smith. They were finally cut off from the Church. They then went to Warsaw among the mob. They never ceased their cursed threats until they killed the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum Smith at Carthage Jail, Hancock County, Illinois. This occurrence took place on the 27th of June, 1844.

I well remember the day that the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum Smith were brought into Nauvoo. Our parents all went out to the street as the procession passed along the road. The city was in one complete scene of weeping, mourning, and lamentation after the bodies arrived at the mansion house. It was enough to break the heart of a stone, to hear Grandmother Smith and the Saints weep over the loss of their dear Prophet and Patriarch, Joseph and Hyrum Smith. Brother John Taylor was brought from Carthage on a sled on account of his wounds. He could not be brought on wheels. When Governor Ford demanded the state arms, they were surrendered to him. When Joseph and Hyrum started with the rest of the brethren to go to Carthage, Governor Ford pledged his honor and the honor of the state that Joseph should be protected back to Nauvoo.

The Prophet Joseph predicted a curse on John C. Bennett. He told him if he did not repent of his sins and sin no more, the curse of God Almighty would rest upon him, that he would die a vagabond upon the face of the earth, without friends to bury him. He told him that he stunk of women. In the year 1850, President Young was speaking about the matter. He said that he had watched the life of John C. Bennett. Bennett went to California in the great gold fever excitement, that Bennett died in one of the lowest slums of California, that he was dragged out with his boots on, put into a cart, hauled off, and dumped into a hole, a rotten mass of corruption. This prediction or prophecy came to pass as well as many others that I heard the Prophet Joseph make.

"Autobiography of Aroet Lucious Hale," typescript copy, BYU Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah, 6-7 (pp. 409-10)

Levi Ward Hancock (April 7, 1803-June 10, 1882)

 

Joseph authorized Hancock to take his new wife on Zion's Camp march.

 

In October [1833] the meteors fell all night. Then I began to prophecy to the astonishment of all my father's house that God would save our friends and this is to show us what he can do. Joseph said, "We must go and see them and if necessary we would fight the mob." He said to me, "Now that you have a wife, don't say you can't go." I said my wife shan't hinder me and went and bought me a rifle and sword. I armed myself for battle. All mechanics were busily engaged in making implements of war all winter, to be prepared in the spring to travel to Missouri to replace our brethren upon their land, if there were law abiding men enough in that state to assist us.

 

"The Levi Hancock Autobiography," typescript copy, BYU Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah, 53 (p. 425)

Lorenzo Hill Hatch (January 2, 1826-April 20, 1910)

 

Sometime in the winter of 1843, I was ordained a priest and traveled through the city as a teacher and was blessed. I will record a prophecy that Joseph Smith delivered concerning the coming of the Savior. He said in the name of Jesus Christ that, "He will not come within forty years from this date." (Spoken 10 March, 1844.)

 

"Autobiography of Lorenzo Hill Hatch (1826-1846)," typescript copy, BYU Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah, 3 (p. 467)

Oliver Boardman Huntington (October 14, 1823-1909)

 

I heard Joseph Smith say that in the year that Jesus made his second appearance there would be no rainbow.

 

Oliver B. Huntington, "History of the Life of Oliver B. Huntington, Written by Himself 1878-1990," typescript copy, BYU Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah, 8.

 

Note: Huntington also wrote: "Joseph the Seer, said in my hearing that 'in the year of Christ's coming there would be no rainbow'" (Oliver B. Huntington, "History of the Life of Oliver B. Huntington, Written by Himself 1878-1990," typescript copy, BYU Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah, 22). (p. 546)

RB: note the following from Joseph concerning the parousia and the raibow:

 

Sunday March 10^[th] 1844I attended meeting <A M> at theS tand— by the Temple and preached on the subject of the spirit of <Elias> Elijah. Elias & Mesiah clearly defini[n]g the offices of the 3personages.

 

The Savior will not come this year.<nor 40 year to come.>

 

The bow has been seen in the cloud& in that year that the bow is seen seedtime and harvest will be. but when the bow ceases to be seen look out fora famine (Journal, December 1842–June 1844; Book 4, 1 March–22 June 1844:[30])

 

the Rainbow is a sign for seed time and harvest when the Rainbow is not to be seen— it is a sign of the commencement of famine— & pestilence &c &c and that the coming of the Messiah is not far distant the Messiah will not come this year— upsets Millerites the Messiah will not come for 40 years— and he told the people to write it— a very large & attentive congregation (Discourse, 10 March 1844, as Reported by Thomas Bullock:[3]

 

Of all the events of these days I have a . . . faithful record by preserving and keeping a complete file of the Semi-Weekly News. . . . Every true Latter-day Saint is anxious to be able to vote and thus give their voice for Constitutional rights and republican principles, for the support of the Gospel and Kingdom of God, for the whole Nation is now combined to destroy it, and this a part of the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joseph Smith as I heard it, which was "that the Government of the United States would yet resolve themselves into a mob in order to persecute and try to destroy this people, that they would do as a nation what Jackson County and Missouri had done as a county and as a state."

 

Oliver B. Huntington, "History of the Life of Oliver B. Huntington, Written by Himself 1878-1990," typescript copy, BYU Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah, 13-14 (p. 548)

 

I will relate a testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet, which was borne by a gentile as witnessed by Brother Packard and told to us that evening, or night. He said that he was in a saloon in the Sweet Water, when gold was first found there, and a very tall lank westerner came in finely dressed in the best broadcloth and everything on him corresponding. He looked rather out of place among a lot of rough miners, and one of his old comrades meeting him asked where he got such fine clothes, or how he could afford to wear such?

 

The tall man replied that it was because they cost him nothing. His comrade asked how that happened.

 

The reply was "because Joseph Smith was a true prophet." "What has that to do with your getting that suit of clothes?"

 

The tall man said, "[I] will tell you. I went into a store in Carson, an old friend of mine kept it. I was dead broke and had on next to nothing, and the

storekeeper asked me why I didn't wear better clothes? I told him I'd like to." He said for me to "pick out the best suit I could find in the store and pay him when Stephen A. Douglas was elected President." Now that occurred when Douglas was running for President of the U. S.

 

A little before the election I told the storekeeper I'd take two suits on them terms, but he said one was all he proposed to let me have.

 

The interlocutor asked how he dare take them on that condition. "Well, you, see, Joe Smith told Douglas before he thought of trying to be President that he would try it, some day and that if he used his influence against the Mormons he should never set in the President's chair, and I kept watch and kept thinking of that prophecy, just to see if Joe was a true Prophet. When I see Douglas trying to be President I knew Joe Smith was a true Prophet and that Douglas would not be elected because he had turned against the Mormons. I have watched Joe's prophecies and never seen one of them fail.

 

Oliver B. Huntington, "History of the Life of Oliver B. Huntington, Written by Himself 1878-1990," typescript copy, BYU Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah, 16-17 (p. 549)

 

Sister Beebe related a prophecy that Joseph Smith uttered in the presence of her husband when he was a boy, in the house of old father Johnson in Kirtland; when all the church there could meet in a room 12 feet square or 12 by 14. Joseph was telling of the spread of the Gospel as it would be and the increase of the people of God and the persecutions that would come; and said that the Church would yet be so numerous and such a great people that the United States could send an army out to destroy them, but they would not accomplish it. This was fulfilled.

 

Oliver B. Huntington, "History of the Life of Oliver B. Huntington, Written by Himself 1878-1990," typescript copy, BYU Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah, 19 (pp. 550-51)

 

Joseph Smith the Prophet once undertook to plead law. I have the name of the man who was under arrest, in my journal somewhere, but it would be a job to find it, and the name matters but little—the story of the Prophet acting as a prosecuting attorney is impressed upon my mind never to be blotted out or dimmed by time, it will be fresh while reason lasts, not so much for the law he quoted, but for the great prophecy he uttered and the divine appearance of the man while he spoke the word of the Lord. Soon after we left Nauvoo and settled in Commerce three of our brethren were kidnapped by Missourians, taken to Missouri and starved and whipped until they were hardly able to run at all, but they managed to get away and returned home.

 

One of the men who did that wicked, cruel deed was found years after in disguise parading the streets of Nauvoo, and was recognized by old Father James Allred as the very man who took him forcibly from Illinois back into Missouri and there treated him worse than a . . . man should treat his dog. The Prophet was mayor, but the kidnapper was brought before an alderman for trial and Joseph acted as prosecuting attorney. When he had just fairly started to set forth the crime that the defendant was arraigned for, he suddenly left the law and declared the word of God with regard to the state of Missouri and its inhabitants. He told what the Saints had suffered at the hands of Missouri and the injustice and cruelty of their sufferings, and he went on to tell what Missouri should be called to endure in order to pay the penalty of wrongs inflicted and for the blood of the Saints they had shed.

 

A portion of the words of the prophecy I will quote verbatim: "She shall drink out of the same cup, the same bitter dregs we have drunk, poured out, out, out! And that by the hand of an enemy—a race meaner than themselves."

 

All the time he was delivering the word of the Lord his face shone as if there was a light within him and his flesh was translucent. The time occupied was considerable, for he pronounced two other very remarkable prophecies.

 

When he had done prophesying he stopped speaking entirely, while he wiped a flood of perspiration from his face and gave vent to his pent-up breath with a long blow, kind of a half-whistle, and after a minute or two he remarked, "Well, where that meaner race is coming from God only knows. It is not the (slaves), for they don't know enough, and are gentlemen by the side of their masters. It is not the Indians, for they are the chosen people of God and a noble race of men, but as sure as God ever spoke by me that shall come to pass."

 

I lived to see that prophecy literally fulfilled in the Rebellion, when every family in that part of the state that the Saints used to occupy was killed or compelled to leave their homes by the Bushwackers or Guerrillas under Quantrell—a generation of vipers raised mostly after that prophecy was uttered.

 

Oliver B. Huntington, "Words and Incidents of the Prophet Joseph's Life," Young Woman's Journal 2, no. 3 (December 1890): 124-25 (pp. 568-69)

 

My father was living in a good hewed log house in 1840 when one morning as the family all sat at breakfast old Father Joseph Smith, the first Patriarch of the Church and father of the Prophet Joseph, came in and sat down by the fire place, after declining to take breakfast with us, and there he sat some little time in silence looking steadily in the fire. At length he observed that we had been driven from Missouri to this place; with some passing comments, he then asked this question: "And how long, Brother Huntington, do you think we will stay here?" As he asked this question I noticed a strange, good-natured expression creep over his whole being—an air of mysterious joy.

 

Father answered, after just a moment's hesitation, "Well, Father Smith, I can't begin to imagine."

 

"We will just stay here seven years," he answered. "The Lord has told Joseph so—just seven years," he repeated. "Now this is not to be made public; I would not like to have this word go any further," said the Patriarch, who leaned and relied upon his son Joseph in all spiritual matters as much as boys generally do upon their parents for temporalities. There were then two or three minutes of perfect silence. The old gentleman with more apparent secret joy and caution in his countenance said, "And where do you think we will go to when we leave here, Brother Huntington?"

 

Father did not pretend to guess; unless we went back to Jackson County. "No," said the old Patriarch, his whole being seeming to be alive with animation. "The Lord has told Joseph that when we leave here we will go into the Rocky Mountains; right into the midst of the Lamanites."

 

This information filled our hearts with unspeakable joy, for we knew that the Book of Mormon and this gospel had been brought to light more for the remnants of Jacob upon this continent than for the Gentiles.

 

Father Smith again enjoined upon us profound secrecy in this matter and I don't think it was ever uttered by one of Father Huntington's family. The history of Nauvoo shows that we located in Nauvoo in 1839 and left it in 1846.

 

The Church did move to the Rocky Mountains into the midst of the Indians or Lamanites—or more properly speaking the Jews—and here expect to live until we move to the spirit land or the Lord moves us somewhere else.

 

Oliver B. Huntington, "Prophecy," Young Woman's Journal 2, no. 7 (April 1891): 314-15 (pp. 573-74)

 

A few days after Joseph arrived from Missouri, Dimick went in to see the beloved prophet, to whom he was devotedly attached. Joseph remarked to him in their conversation, "Dimick, there is a very important mission for you among the Indians."

 

Dimick soon went home and told his wife that Joseph had a mission for him among the Indians, and he wanted to be ready in the morning. So the poor wife was up most of the night mending and preparing his clothing for an absence of an indefinite period of time. The devoted followers of the prophet apparently had no limits to service nor bounds to possibilities.

 

After breakfast Dimick, with valise in hand, went to report to the prophet, and said: "Well, Brother Joseph, I am ready to go now."

 

"Go where?" asked the prophet.

 

"To the Indians," was the reply.

 

Joseph smiled in a lovingly, dignified way peculiar to himself, and remarked: "You are not to go now, Dimick, but after awhile you will do a great work among the Lamanites."

 

To go or not to go made no difference to Dimick, so long as he yielded obedience to the prophet's call.

 

When we came into Salt Lake Valley Dimick Huntington was the first man that learned to talk with the Indians; he was the "first man" among them and to them to the end of his life. His name among the Indians was Ne-oambahds, which in Ute means "Good Talk." All the tribes in the mountains gave him credit for always telling them the truth. His influence was great among all the tribes that knew him and many that knew his name only. I traveled among various tribes and bands of Indians from here to the Sierras, and invariably found his name familiar with them. He was interpreter for Territorial Superintendent of Indian Affairs while Brigham Young was Governor, and remained interpreter and manager of Indians for the Church until his death. . . .

 

Thus we see that he truly filled the mission given him by the prophet.

 

Oliver B. Huntington, "Recollections of 'Diahman,'" Juvenile Instructor 31, no. 3 (1 February 1896): 84-85 (pp. 575-76)

 

Heber C. Kimball (June 14, 1801-June 22, 1862)

 

This day, June 3rd [1834], while we were refreshing ourselves and teams, about the middle of the day, Brother Joseph got up in a wagon and said, that he would deliver a prophecy. After giving the brethren much good advice, exhorting them to faithfulness and humility, he said, the Lord had told him that there would a scourge come upon the camp, in consequences of the fractious and unruly spirits that appeared among them and they should die like sheep with the rot; still if they would repent and humble themselves before the Lord, the scourge in a great measure might be turned away; but, as the Lord lives, this camp will suffer for giving way to their unruly temper, which afterwards actually did take place to the sorrow of the brethren.

 

The same day when we had got within one mile of the Snye, we came to a very beautiful little town called Atlas. Here we found honey for the first time on our journey, that we could buy; we purchased about two thirds of a barrel. We went down to the Snye and crossed over that night in a ferry boat. We camped for the night on the bank of the Snye. There was a great excitement in the country through which we had passed, and also ahead of us; the mob threatened to stop us. Guns were fired in almost all directions through the night.—Brother Joseph did not sleep much, if any, but was through the camp, pretty much during the night.

 

We pursued our journey on the 4th [of June, 1834], and camped on the bank of the Mississippi River. Here we were somewhat afflicted and the enemy threatened much that we should not cross over the river out of Illinois into Missouri. It took us two days to cross the river, as we had but one ferry boat, and the river was one mile and a half wide. While some were crossing many others spent their time in hunting and fishing, & c. When we had got over, we camped about one mile back from the little town of Louisiana, in a beautiful oak grove, which is immediately on the bank of the river. At this place there was some feelings of hostility manifested again by Sylvester Smith, in consequence of a dog growling at him while he was marching his company up to the camp, he being the last that came over the river. The next morning Brother Joseph said that he would descend to the spirit that was manifested by some of the brethren, to let them see the folly of their wickedness. He rose up and commenced speaking, by saying, "if any man insults me, or abuses me, I will stand in my own defense at the expense of my life; and if a dog growl at me, I will let him know that I am his master." At this moment Sylvester Smith, who had just returned from where he had turned out his horses to feed, came up, and hearing Brother Joseph make those remarks, said, "If that dog bites me, I'll kill him." Brother Joseph turned to Sylvester and said, "If you kill that dog, I'll whip you," and then went on to show the brethren how wicked and unchristian like such conduct appeared before the eyes of truth and justice.

 

"Extracts from H. C. Kimball's Journal," Times and Seasons 6, no. 2 (4 February 1845): 788-89 (pp. 685-86)

 

Newel Knight (September 13, 1800-January 11, 1847)

 

One year following martyrdom, visited Carthage Jail, saw blood stains and bullet marks on walls; recalls prophesy of Joseph, given during time of sickness, that day would come when word would go forth from Nauvoo that it was a healthy place; Knight saw its fulfillment.

 

July 28th 1845, just one year one month and one day have elapsed since our beloved Prophet and Patriarch fell martyrs to the cause of truth.—I this day visited the jail and viewed the place where they were so cowardly and cruelly murdered, also visited the room where the murder took place. Their blood still stains the floor, and the holes in the walls are yet visible, notwithstanding the many efforts made to erase the "former and conceal the latter" and is a bold testimony against the nation that has winked at the tragedy. Language fails me to express my feelings, or paint the scene.

 

While blessings are bestowed upon us as a people, there has been less sickness in this city, than at any previous season since the Saints began to settle here, and in fact there is less than at any place from which we have intelligence in all the surrounding country. In this the words of our martyred prophet are verily fulfilled, for at a time when sickness prevailed to so great an extent, that there were not well persons enough to take care of the sick, our prophet Joseph exhorted the brethren and sister to be faithful and put their trust in God, and all their afflictions should work for them an exceeding and eternal weight of glory, and the time would come that it should be said, and the report should go forth that Nauvoo is a healthy place. thousands can now bear testimony of the fulfillment of this prophecy, and many of the brethren who at that time lay sick in tents, having the year before been deprived of all their rights as citizens by the State of Missouri and had barely escaped with their lives, are now in good circumstances, surrounded by the blessings of life, health and plenty. As to my self, I have laboured hard and through the blessings of my Heavenly father hope soon to see my family comfortably situated. My mills are in prosperous condition, and if Brother Benjamin Clapp wants [?] my house according to contract by the first of September, I shall then have the satisfaction of seeing my family well provided for.

 

"Autobiography and Journal of Newel Knight, 1800-1847," LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah (p. 792)

 

George Laub (October 15, 1814-November 14, 1880)

 

Now I will relate some of the prophecies that I heard our beloved Brother Joseph Smith declare while filled with the spirit of the living God in the name of Jesus Christ that if they put him in for ruler of this nation, he would save them and set them at liberty, but if they refused they shall and will be swept off that there will not be any more than a grease spot of them left.

 

Also, while filled with the spirit he prophesied in the name of Jesus Christ that if the Missourians would not redress the wrongs of the Saints that the red hot wrath of Almighty God would be poured out upon them and the rulers of this nation also and the Missourians should be destroyed of a meaner people than themselves. This now we can see, cities on fire all over the United States which plainly fills this prophecy since that I heard him declare that prophesy. This they refused to give him the rule of the nations and refused to redress the wrongs of the Missourians, but killed the man of God.

 

"George Laub Autobiography," typescript copy, BYU Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah, 30-31 (pp. 816-17)

 

Christopher Layton (March 8, 1821-August 7, 1898)

 

[He tells of sailing from England, and on April 12, 1843]: How rejoiced we were when we were safely across! And there stood our Prophet on the banks of the river to welcome us! As he heartily grasped our hands, the fervently spoken words, "God bless you," sank deep into our hearts, giving us a feeling of peace such as we had never known before. The Saints had congregated in front of the old post office building to gladly welcome us to this land and the beautiful city of Nauvoo, where the hospitalities of their homes were kindly offered us. Brother Philemon C. Merrill took my wife and me home with him; his wife Cyrena gave me the first cup of milk I had in Nauvoo. Brother Merrill and Brother Sam Price were so good to us and treated me so well that I never want to forget them. On the following day the Prophet Joseph Smith called to see us and blessed us. After staying with Brother and Sister Merrill a few days my wife, who was still sick, and I went home with Jacob Butterfield.

 

. . . Brother [John] Marriott and I went in with some more of the brethren to build a house each, but as we thought we were not fairly dealt with and were not satisfied with the apportionment of community property, we drew out and told Joseph about it. After counseling and instructing us he gave us two and a half acres of land each and said, "You shall live to see the day when you can buy out everyone who has oppressed you." This prophecy has come true, as has all that noble man ever uttered concerning me.

 

In Myron W. McIntyre and Noel R. Barton, eds., Christopher Layton (Salt Lake City, Utah: Publishers Press, by Christopher Layton Family Organization, 1966), 11 (pp. 819-20)

 

Paulina Lyman (March 20, 1827-October 11, 1912)

 

When Paulina was five years of age, she received a blessing from the Prophet Joseph Smith in which he promised here "that she would live to go to the Rocky Mountains," a remarkable prophecy to be given at that date.

 

"Pauline Phelps Lyman," in Kate B. Carter, Our Pioneer Heritage, 20 vols. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, 1958-77), 6:432 (p. 878)

 

Wandle Mace (February 19, 1809-August 10, 1890)

 

Upon another occasion about this time, when addressing the Saints upon the coming of the Savior, Joseph said, "I prophecy that the signs of the coming of the Son of Man has already commenced, one pestilence will desolate after another, you hear of wars in foreign lands, but behold I say unto you they are nigh even at your doors, and not many years hence you shall hear of wars in your own land. I testify of these things and that the coming of the Son of Man is nigh even at your doors. The sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall be turned into blood. If our souls and our bodies are not looking forth for the coming of the Son of Man, and after we are dead, if we are not looking forth for his coming; we shall be among them that call for the rocks to fall on us and hide us."

 

"The time is coming when no man will have any peace, but in Zion, and her stakes. I know it I have seen it in vision! I saw men hunting lives of their own sons, and women killing their own daughters, and daughters seeking the lives of their mothers, and brother murdering brother. I saw armies arrayed against armies, I saw blood, desolation, fires—These things are at our doors!"

 

"They will follow the Saints of God from city to city, Satan will rage, and the spirit of the devil is now enraged. I know not how soon these things will take place and with a view of them, shall I cry peace, peace? No! I will lift up my voice and testify of them. How long you will have good crops, and the famine be kept off, I do not know."

 

"The Son of Man has said, that the mother shall be against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother, etc., and when the fig tree puts forth her leaves, know then that summer is nigh." Many times he spoke of these things.

 

"Autobiography of Wandle Mace," typescript copy, BYU Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah, 50-51 (p. 896)

 

Mary Ann Weston Maughan (March 10, 1817-1901)

 

[After arriving in Nauvoo on Oct. 10, 1841:] The house was empty, so the company staid in it till they found their friends or rented houses to live in. Sister Simonds and myself went to find our company that left us at Kirtland, as we had some of their luggage with us. It was Sunday afternoon, and as we passed by the grove, we saw Joseph Smith standing on a flour barrel. Bro. Caleb Baldwin stood before him, and Joseph put his hand on his shoulders for a desk. He was preaching to a small company standing around him. We listened a short time and then went on to find our friends.

 

. . . One Saturday I went to see the Legion Parade. A sham battle was fought. The weather was fine. But a startling fact was made manifest by John C. Bennett, requesting and urging Joseph to command one of the cohorts in person (without his staff.) The Prophet, with the prophecy of his martyrdom now ever with him, refused to comply with his request, and exposed the treachery of Bennett. He said: "Let John C. Bennett, at the day of Judgment, say why he requested me to take my position on the 7th of Apr. 1842, without my staff, where my life might have been the forfeit and no man have known who had done the deed." I had a good view of the battle and saw Bennett ride many times to Joseph. Many thousands of people were present. Mr. [Peter] Maughan bought our lot of the Temple Committee, and being a stone mason, he went to work on the Temple walls to pay for it. The Building Committee are making ready to erect the Baptismal Font, to be supported by 12 oxen. They are good, and do credit to the brethren who are carving them. It is intended to overlay them with gold. Most of the labor had been done by the brethren donating every 10th day. The people are making exertion to complete the Temple. It is intended to stop work on the Nauvoo House and devote their efforts to the Temple. About this time at a conference I heard Brother Joseph call on the 12 to stand in their places and bear off the Kingdom; and from then on the burden of this preaching was, "he was rolling off the Kingdom onto the shoulders of the twelve." But

Nauvoo rose as a beautiful monument, then 20,000 souls.

 

On the 8th day of Aug. 1842, Joseph prophesied that the Saints would continue to suffer much affliction and be driven to the Rocky Mountains, that many would fall, and some would live to go through and assist in making settlements and building cities, and see the Saints become mighty in the Rocky Mountains. This was given to his Masonic Brethren about 5 years before the Pioneers entered the Valley of Salt Lake.

 

December 1843. Joseph had 38 lawsuits and things were gloomy at Christmas time for the Saints. On the 25th, about 1 o'clock, one of our neighbors, Sister Rushton, with her family went to serenade Joseph. They were awakened by the singing: "Mortals awake, with Angels join." Joseph said: "This filled my soul with pleasure. My family arose to hear the serenade and I thanked my Heavenly Father for their visit and blessed them in the name of the Lord God of Israel."

 

In the spring, 1844, Joseph sent Brothers Maughan, Saunders, and Jacob Peart on a mission, to go up on Rock river and locate a coal mine so the city could have coal, the mine to be as near the Mississippi as possible, so the coal could be hauled to the river bank and loaded on the Maid of Iowa. February 25, 1844. Joseph prophesied that in 5 years the Saints would be out of the power of their enemies, whether apostates or of the world. Our enemies put up a printing press and published the most infamous lies ever told on a community. The City Council according to law voted it a nuisance and treated it as such, and now our enemies left in a rage, swearing vengeance against all concerned. The Brethren had to stand guard day and night to keep the mob out. Governor Ford made a demand for Joseph, Hyrum and the City Council, pledging the faith of the State that they should be protected from the mob. We know how that faith was kept; but I will pass by some of these scenes at present and go on with my own. We took our share in these times, Mr. Maughan standing guard and us at home in constant dread of the mob, our house being on the street on which they would come into the City.

 

. . . [Peter Maughan and others went looking for coal, and] While at the hotel waiting for their supper, Mr. Maughan took up a newspaper and read an account of a great battle that had been fought in Nauvoo, then handed the paper to Bro. Peart. After supper they went out and decided to take the next boat for home. In a few hours they were on their way. On the boat were some mobocrats from Missouri, and some very hard talking was done about the battle of Nauvoo, the Missourians bragging of their wicked deeds in killing the Mormons and hoping to do the same again. They suspected Brothers Peart and Maughan were Mormons, and so gave them a good share of their abuse. The mate warned Mr. Maughan they were desperate men and to avoid a quarrel if possible. At Burlington they learned the battle was to be fought on Friday. The Brethren said, "we are glad, for we are going to Nauvoo. Our families are there and we will have a hand in the fray."

 

On arriving at home, Mr. Maughan took his gun and went to join his comrades in the Legion. He was an Officer; and sometimes twice in a night a stick would bang across my door with a call for Brother Maughan. Some not knowing he was sent away, said: "Well, he ought to be home now, for we need him in his company." The city was under martial law and the Brethren were on guard day and night to keep the mob from coming in. Thus things went on until Joseph and Hyrum were taken to Carthage.

 

June 28th. Brother W[illard] Richards and S. N. Smith brought the remains of the murdered Prophets to Nauvoo. I saw them come in on Mill Pond Street in 2 wagons covered with green boughs to keep off the sun. They were met by the officers of the Legion and the people.

 

June 29th. About 10,000 persons visited and viewed the remains of the martyred Prophet and Patriarch. The funerals took place in the evening. Brother Taylor was brought home on the 2nd of July, 1844, when the excitement was a little abated.

 

"Journal of Mary Ann Weston Maughan," in Kate B. Carter, comp. Our Pioneer Heritage, 20 vols. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, 1958-77), 2:363-66. Spelling and grammar has been modernized (pp. 925-27)

 

Henry William Miller (May 1, 1807-October 9, 1885)

 

At this time Henry W. Miller gave the church four Thousand (4,000) dollars toward its [the Temple's] construction. This was March 20, 1841. On his moving to Nauvoo, he was made a member of the building committee of the Temple, and in the fall of 1841 he was called to go into the pineries and get out timber for the temple and the Nauvoo House. On this trip they encountered stormy weather. Grandmother relates in her journal how the men had to go ahead of the teams (oxen) and break trails so the oxen would follow. At night they would shovel away the snow, fixing a place to make their beds. During the winter they ran out of provisions and were out of bread for some time.

 

At one time, Joseph Smith made her the promise her children should never cry for bread. Through this ordeal, they lived up to this promise. She had cooked and cared for the extra men. When flour finally came the children asked for dough before it was baked.

 

"The Life Story of Henry William Miller, compiled by Arnold D. Miller Jr., His Grandson," Mormon Biography File, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah (p. 990)

 

William Goforth Nelson (June 10, 1831-October 30, 1922)

 

In the summer of 1836 the Prophet stopped overnight with my father. We were then living in Missouri. This was the first time I had ever seen him. Some time after this we moved to Nauvoo, where we lived until starting west with the Saints. During the four years I saw the Prophet quite often. Father and he were personal friends, and he came to our home many times and talked with father in the presence of the family. One day he rode up to the gate and called to my mother:

 

"Where is Brother Nelson today?"

 

Mother told him he was on the island cutting wood.

 

"I should like to have seen him. Is your family well?"

 

Mother answered that one of the boys was sick with chills and fever.

 

"Tell Brother Nelson that the boy will get well, and you will not have anymore sickness in your family as long as you live in Nauvoo," the Prophet

said.

 

This prophecy was literally fulfilled.

 

I have heard the Prophet speak in public on many occasions. In one meeting I heard him say:

 

"I will give you a key that will never rust,—if you will stay with the majority of the Twelve Apostles, and the records of the Church, you will never be led astray." The history of the Church has proven this to be true.

 

William G. Nelson, "Joseph Smith, the Prophet," Young Woman's Journal 17, no. 12 (December 1906): 543 (p. 1021-22)

 

Orson Pratt (September 19, 1811-October 3, 1881)

 

And this makes me think of the prophecy delivered by the Prophet Joseph, concerning the Elders in this Church. They were very anxious, in the early rise of the Church, to have the angels of God come from heaven to administer to them, and to have the face of the Lord unveiled in their midst, when they were unprepared for it. By sectarianism and the traditions handed down to us by our fathers, we were not prepared to abide the presence of those holy beings who dwell in the celestial worlds. Joseph, knowing this by the Spirit of truth, arose and said to the Elders, that when the time came that they should go forth unto the house of Israel, when that day should arrive, and their hearts were sufficiently purified before the Lord, then the Lord should appear unto them, that is, in His own time, in His own way, and after His own order, and in His own place. Now this will shortly be fulfilled. Let these missionaries go forth and endure troubles like good and faithful Elders; let them bear all afflictions and trials patiently; let them not be fainthearted when they go hungry and thirsty; and when they suffer cold, and when they are in deep distress and sore difficulties; for be assured that the time is not far distant when God will fulfill these promises that He made by the mouth of His servant Joseph the Prophet; and the face of the Lord will be unveiled.

 

Journal of Discourses, 2:263 (April 7, 1855) (p. 1118)

 

After we had again established ourselves in a new country, and built up a beautiful city, and when all was peaceful and prosperity attending us, this same Prophet, on assembling the Elders of the Church on a certain occasion at Nauvoo, told us that we would have to flee to the Rocky Mountains for safety. The fulfillment of this prediction is apparent to all. I might mention scores of others, and in no instance has that man uttered a single Prophecy that either has not already been fulfilled to the very letter, or will not have its fulfillment in the due time of the Lord.

 

Journal of Discourses, 18:224 (August 26, 1876) (pp. 1123-24)

 

Parley Parker Pratt (April 12, 1807-May 13, 1857)

 

As we arose and commenced our march on the morning of the 3rd of November, Joseph Smith spoke to me and the other prisoners, in a low, but cheerful and confidential tone; said he: "Be of good cheer, brethren; the word of the Lord came to me last night that our lives should be given us, and that whatever we may suffer during this captivity, not one of our lives should be taken." Of this prophecy I testify in the name of the Lord, and, though spoken in secret, its public fulfillment and the miraculous escape of each one of us is too notorious to need my testimony.

 

Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 1985), 164 (p. 1135; cf. D&C 121-122)

 

Orrin Porter Rockwell (June 28, 1813-JUne 9, 1878)

 

[Following Rockwell's release from a Missouri jail and arrival in Nauvoo, Joseph said] I prophesy, in the name of the Lord, that you—Orrin Porter Rockwell—so long as ye shall remain loyal and true to thy faith, need fear no enemy. Cut not thy hair and no bullet or blade can harm thee!

 

Harold Schindler, Orrin Porter Rockwell: Man of God, Son of Thunder (Salt Lake City,

Utah: University of Utah Press, 1966), 108-9.

 

Note: In recording this prophecy, Schindler says: "The story of Joseph's prophecy spread throughout Nauvoo within days, but the prophet's exact words were never recorded. Rockwell himself mentioned the prophecy to his friends and family on many occasions. A journal notation made the following morning which refers to the incident can be found in James Jepson, "Memoirs and Experiences," manuscript, 9-10. For additional evidence see T. B. H. Stenhouse, Rocky Mountain Saints: A Full and Complete History of the Mormons, From the First Vision of Joseph Smith to the Last Courtship of Brigham Young, New York, 1873, 140n; George W. Bean, Autobiography, compiled by Flora Diana Bean Horne. Salt Lake City, 1945, 175; and Mrs. Elizabeth D. E. Roundy's letter to the LDS Church explaining her part in writing Rockwell's life history at his request. The letter is on file in the Church Historian's Library" (Harold Schindler, Orrin Porter Rockwell: Man of God, Son of Thunder [Salt Lake City, Utah: University of Utah Press, 1966], 109) (p. 1226)

 

Hebert Spencer Salisbury (1879-1964)

 

Catherine Smith Salisbury, told me she was present at home when her brother, Joseph Smith, came in nearly exhausted, carrying the package of gold plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated. He was carrying the package clasped to his side with his left hand and arm, and his right hand was badly bruised from knocking down at least three men who had leaped at him from behind bushes or fences as he ran until out of breath. She said he entered the house running and threw himself on a couch panting from his extraordinary exertion.

 

She told me Joseph allowed her to "heft" the package but not to see the gold plates, as the angel had forbidden him to show them at that period. She said they were very heavy.

 

She told me that she was one of the first eight members, baptized into the Church. She said the first six members were, Joseph Smith, Jr., Oliver Cowdery, Samuel H. Smith, Hyrum Smith, David Whitmer, and Peter Whitmer, Jr.

 

. . . She said that when they [were] driven from their lands in Missouri the Prophet told General Doniphan, his attorney, not to invest in the lands as the time would come when all improvements would be destroyed and not one building stone would be left standing upon another.

 

This prophecy was literally fulfilled during the Civil War when Gen. Ewing ordered the Missourians to vacate several counties including the very ones where these same Missourians and their fathers robbed, murdered and exiled the Mormons. . . . The Missourians speak of Gen. Ewing's Order No. 11, as the acme of the worst persecution in all history. They were made to take their movable property and leave those counties while the Union Army pushed them out and burned every house, barn and stack so that Joseph Smith's prophecy to General Doniphan was literally fulfilled.

 

"Things the Prophet's Sister Told Me," 30 June 1945, typescript copy, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1-5 (pp. 1266-67)

 

George A. Smith (June 26, 1817-September 1, 1875)

 

When the Latter-day Saints were driven from Jackson county, in 1833, Joseph Smith prophesied that if the people of the United States would not bring to justice that mob and protect the Saints, they should have mob upon mob, mob upon mob, until mob and power and mob rule should be all over the whole land, until no man's life or property should be safe. This prophecy is being literally fulfilled.

 

Journal of Discourses, 9:18 (April 6, 1861) (p. 1322)

 

Eliza Roxey Snow (January 21, 1804-December 5, 1887)

 

Some years before the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and long before the thought had entered the mind of President [Brigham] Young to propose a visit to the "Holy Land," the Prophet said to me, "You will yet visit Jerusalem." I recorded the saying in my Journal at the time, but had not reviewed it for many years, and the, to me, strange prediction had entirely gone from my memory.

 

Even when invited to join the Tourist-party, although the anticipation of standing on the sacredly celebrated Mount of Olives inspired me with a feeling no language can describe; Joseph Smith's prediction did not occur to me until within a few days of the time set for starting, when a friend brought it to my recollection, and then by reference to the long neglected Journal, the proof was before us. While on the tour, the knowledge of that prediction inspired me with strength and fortitude.

 

[Eliza then tells of leaving Salt Lake City in October of 1872 with a small group led by President George A. Smith, and of visiting "Europe, Asia, Africa, Egypt, Greece, Turkey" and the Holy Land, including Jerusalem, and of returning home in July, 1873, having fulfilled the prophecy of Joseph Smith.]

 

Eliza R. Snow, "Sketch of My Life," Relief Society Magazine 31, no. 9 (September 1944): 504 (p. 1485; see the book Correspondence of Palestine Tourists; Comprising a Series of Letters by George A. Smith, Lorenzo Snow, Paul A. Schettler, and Eliza R. Snow [Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1875] for copies of Eliza's letters about her travels in the Holy Land)

 

Ezra Strong (April 4, 1820-1894)

 

A Brother Willice prophesied that Christ would come within five years; Strong refused to sustain the prophecy or doctrine as true; some of the brethren came repeatedly to persuade him, but he refused to relent; Joseph returned from Missouri and "spake as never man spake" and announced young Strong was correct. Joseph also spoke of the doctrine of love and proposed that Brothers Brewster (Bruster) and Norris be restored to full fellowship. His motion carried.

 

At a certain time one Bro. Willice preached at Father's house, and said that "Jesus Christ will come in the brightnefs of His glory, when the wicked will be consumed, all the righteous will be caught up to meet Him inside of five years." Such teaching produced no Love, gave no Joy, no light nor happynefs. An impression came over me that the Bro. Willis had stated that which was not true.

 

After meting was out, I said that, "The doctrine taught of Christ comeing was not true—Was false." Father reprimanded me sharply then for my doubt of the comeing of Christ in side of five years. Bro. Willice then rose and said, "If Christ did not come inside of five years; I will burn the Bible, Book of Mormon, and say good-by to religion; But I kneed not say if He does not come, for I know by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost that He will come inside of five years; which I now prophecy in the name of Jesus Christ." Of such force was His language; that I began to doubt as to my own position. Then there came a thought to test by the rule of love and light, all things which claim to be of God; and by this rule His prophecy was falce.

 

Again, when Joseph and his Bro. Hyrum were gon to Missouri, when the Bruster and Norris party were cut off from the Church, there came a mighty rush of Light to my mind; and a great love for those Bruster and Norris Bretherin and Sisters. While they were defending themselves; the rule to test all things claiming to be of God, was upermost in my mind. I saw many who did not know of themselves, the kind of Spirit that was moveing them. Others were acting for Mastery. All seamed to be moved by a zeal without knowledge, therefore "Blind leading the Blind."

 

When the contrary "vote" was cald—(after a unanimus voice was given to cut them off from the Church) I was constraned by this Ever abiding Love and Light of God's Spirit, to lift my hand in Their favor, at the same moment I looked round and saw no one voting with me; then raising my hand High, then Sprang to my feet, tiptoed and whirled round two or three times, with both hands Extended; with one hand Only becides mine. Some three hours or lefs after There came three Teachers to my Father's house, desiring to correct the Great evol of His son Ezra who had voted against the Kingdom of God.

 

Father then asked if I had voted as they Said. Then I said I did not. They then thought to prove me a liar. They rehearced my lifting my hand, then higher; and then glorying in my shame had Sprang to my feet and tiptoed, and quivered my hands while whirling round and round; thus voting against the Kingdom of God when it was to fill the Earth, and you deny voting against God and His Kingdom, do you? Yes, I do, was my reply. Father asked me if I voted, and in the maner they "described." Yes, I voted as described But for the Kingdom of God, and All the Church voted against the Light and truth of Heaven!

 

As I thus answered my Father, there came a Spirit upon me which made my Soul burn with Joy and gladnefs.

 

Then I repeated that "I know I voted for God and His Kingdom, and I know the Church all voted against the Light and truth of God."

 

After counciling me to repent, and asking Father and Mother to try to reclaim their Son, they left, Saying they would come again. Again three Teachers came. And as before with kindnefs of heart, and a desire for my welfare, sought to turn my mind from the "Light of Heaven"; to the Darknefs of an ignorant, blind and Superstitious zeal. Again 3 teachers, Beloved Brethren came, but to no good.

 

They asked F. and Mother what they were going to do with their Son Ezra? To which both answered, "We will sustain our Son Ezra, he is a Strange boy. We were then notified that if we did not repent, make restitution and confes our faults, we would be cut off from the Church and given over to the buffeitings of Saton.

 

Joseph and Hyrum Smith returned from Missouri; and the Church came together.

 

Joseph then Spake as never man had Spoken before, showing the Love of God. Portraid the gather to gether of Saints, and Siners. Drew a figer of the gospel net in which the good would be with the bad; And of the tares growing with the wheat. And of the Saints so living, that the teares, Seeing their good works, might be led to Glorify God. Joseph Said—"The duty of the Saints is to bind together Humanity. To throw round all the arm of Love. Not to be zealous; fore "There is a way that seameth right unto man but the end Thereof is death." Many take the influence of zeal to be the Spirit of God, but it is not. The evol Spirit, often deceive; and lead man astray. They are trying to divide the Saints.

 

But we are cald-upon to hunt for the one that is mising from the fold, whether Saint of Siner. And now Bretheren I wish to say some things about the Bruster and Norris Brothers and Sisters. I met with them before going to Missouri. The Spirit of Love, Joy and peace rested on us, and the Holy Ghost bore witnefs of their faith in God, and NOW I learn they are all cut off from the Church. I want some one to make a motion that all of them be restored to full fellowship (without baptism) as though no action had ben taken against them."

 

Motion put, and carryed unanimously. Then Joseph said:

 

"That little boy (as I have ben told) that tiptoed, whirled around and quivered his hands in your midst, had the Spirit of the Lord God of Isriel upon him. . . . zeal without knowledge is that way."

 

"Ezra Strong Notebook (ca. 1882-1884)," LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah (pp. 1554-56; the importance of this recollection is that it shows Joseph was opposed to “date setting”)

 

John Taylor (November 1, 1808-July 25, 1887)

 

It behooves statesmen to pause in their career. The floodgates once opened who shall stay the torrent? We of all men would save the ship of state and would say to these national patricides avaunt! But if they will act foolishly and continue to do so until they subvert the principles of liberty, and thus destroy one of the best governments ever instituted on earth, then if forsaken by all else, the elders of this Church will rally round the Constitution, lift up the standard of freedom, which is being trodden under foot and bedrabbled by demagogues, and proclaim liberty to the world; equal rights, liberty and equality; freedom of conscience and of worship to all men everywhere. That is not a prophecy of mine; it is a prophecy of Joseph Smith's, and I believe it very strongly.

 

Journal of Discourses, 21:349-50 (January 2, 1881) (pp. 1589-90)

 

Thomas Martha (February 20, 1808-September 5, 1895)

 

I lived to see this prophecy fulfilled; also concerning the Millerites. They were preparing a place for the Savior to come and meet with them, on a certain day, in that month in Illinois. They were making great preparations by cleaning a certain piece of ground and spreading carpets, etc. Brother Joseph was speaking on the "Resurrection" and the "Second Coming of the Son of God." "You can go and tell Brother Miller he won't come on that day nor the next, nor the next year. In the name of Jesus Christ I prophesy he won't come in forty years." In a moment I desired to live forty years more, and he has not come; I am just as anxious to live to see the next saying of the Prophet fulfilled concerning his coming, as I was the first. He was enquiring of the Lord concerning his second coming; the answer was, "If you live to be (I think it was eighty) years old you will see the face of the Son of God." I am in my seventy-eighth year. I want to live to see that saying fulfilled. But it matters not. If I am faithful I will see him when he does come. Another saying of the Prophet, which I heard for myself, for I write nothing only what I can testify to.

 

"Martha Pane Jones Thomas Autobiography (1812-1847)," in Daniel Stillwell Thomas Family History (Salt Lake City, Utah: Kate Woodhouse Kirkham, 1927), 32-33 (pp. 1625-26; the importance of this recollection is that it presents Joseph as being opposed to "date setting")

 

Daniel Tyler (November 23, 1816-November 7, 1906)

 

I will mention one prophecy among the many predictions of the Prophet Joseph Smith that was literally fulfilled.

 

During the persecutions in the fall of 1838, one of the brethren happened to be a stranger in Richmond, Ray Co., Missouri, a distance of some thirty or forty miles from Far West, in Caldwell County, where the Saints dwelt. About sundown he saw men loading guns into a carriage, and learned that they were to be taken that night to the mob in Daviess County, to fight the "Mormons." He feigned to be traveling in the opposite direction, and took a circuitous route to Far West, but did not arrive there until about eight o'clock the next morning. He related what he had seen of the actions of the mob, and a call was immediately made for ten volunteers to accompany Captain Allred, of the militia, to intercept and take the arms. To do this we had about twenty miles to ride across a trackless prairie, to reach the road leading from Richmond to Daviess County, where the mob was quartered. The man with the guns had a good, smooth road, free from rocks or obstruction of any kind, and, to all human appearance, might have reached his destination before we obtained the news of his having the arms.

 

When all were mounted, the Prophet Joseph said to Brother Allred, "I want you to ride as fast as your horses can carry you," (pointing the direction, that he might not reach the road in rear of the carriage) "and you will get those arms." These last words inspired faith in the little band, and even the horses did not seem to become weary.

 

When we neared the road, we cast our eyes towards Richmond, and at a distance of about half a mile we discovered a black-covered carriage standing in the road, without any team attached to it. On nearing it, we saw that it was empty. We examined and found that one of the axles was newly broken in two. Here was the carriage described, but where were the guns? We soon discovered a trail in the high grass where something heavy had been dragged from near the carriage. We followed this train a short distance and found a wooden box, containing seventy-four United States yagers [i.e., rifles]. While consulting how to get them to the town, we looked in the direction of the mob and discovered two men coming, about as fast as they could drive, in a lumber wagon. When they discovered us, supposing us to be mobs, they swung their hats and shouted "hurrah!" two or three times, and our little troop responded in the same way.

 

They got very near before they discovered their mistake. Brother Allred directed the teamster to drive along side of the box. He then told the two men to get out and put it into the wagon, and then follow him. We returned the way we came, and reached our destination about sundown, when, after the guns were taken from the wagon, the men and team were released. The prediction of the prophet was fulfilled, and the long-range guns, which were the best then known, designed for our destruction, were in our hands. Joseph, knowing that the guns were government property, sent a dispatch immediately to notify General Atchison and Colonel Doniphan of Clay County, what had been done. They directed that the arms should be delivered over to them, they pledging their honor that they should not be used against our people.

 

The prophet's patriotism would not allow him to retain government property, although it had been obtained by our enemies for our destruction. If this was not a test of loyalty I fail to see an opportunity where a test could be given.

 

Daniel Tyler, "Incidents of Experience," in "Scraps of Biography," in Classic Experiences and Adventures (Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1969), 33-34 (pp. 1662-64)

 

Mary C. Westover (AKA Mary E. Shumway Westover) (October 27, 1836-December 8, 1932)

 

I was very small when we lived in Nauvoo, but I must have seen Joseph Smith many times for I always attended the meetings. The most striking thing I remember of him was a prophecy he made, which I saw fulfilled immediately. I was at the funeral service of King Follet [Follett], which was held in the Nauvoo Grove. There was a heavy thunderstorm arose and as it increased the people became frightened and started to go home; but before anyone left the Prophet arose and told the multitude if they would remain still and pray in their hearts the storm would not molest them in their services.

 

They did as they were bidden, the storm divided over the grove. I well remember how it was storming on all sides of the grove, yet it was as calm around us as if there was no sign of a storm so nearby.

 

I thought as I sat there that the Lord was speaking through Joseph. My testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel has grown as my years have increased, and I hope to retain it till the end of my life and even till the end of the world. I can testify that I have seen Joseph Smith and he was a true Prophet of God and the gospel he established is the same as that of Jesus Christ.

 

I remember well the time when the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum were brought to Nauvoo, for they passed our house on their way to the mansion. Though but a child, I thought of the persecutions they had passed through for the gospel and they even died as martyrs for the truth. I know they were men of God, Prophet and Patriarch, true and faithful. May we be worthy to meet them in the world to come is my constant prayer.

 

Mary C. Westover, "Joseph Smith, the Prophet," Young Woman's Journal 17, no. 12 (December 1906): 545 (pp. 1706-7)

 

Elizabeth Ann Smith Whitney (December 26, 1800-February 15, 1882)

 

Early in the Spring of 1840 we went up to Commerce, as the upper portion of the city of Nauvoo continued to be called. We rented a house belonging to Hiram Kimball, whose widow and children are residents of this city [i.e., Salt Lake City, from whence Elizabeth writes]. Here we were all sick with ague, chills and fever, and were only just barely able to crawl around and wait upon each other. Under these trying circumstances my ninth child was born. Joseph, upon visiting us and seeing our change of circumstances, urged us at once to come and share his accommodations. We felt the climate, the water, and the privations we were enduring could not much longer be borne; therefore we availed ourselves of this proposal and went to live in the Prophet Joseph's yard in a small cottage; we soon recruited in health, and the children became more like themselves. My husband was employed in a store Joseph had built and fitted up with such goods as the people were in actual need of.

 

One day while coming out of the house into the yard the remembrance of a prophecy Joseph Smith had made to me, while living in our house in Kirtland, flashed through my mind like an electric shock; it was this: that even as we had done by him, in opening our doors to him and his family when he was without a home, even so should we in the future be received by him into his house. We afterwards moved upstairs over the brick store, as it was designated. It was during our residence in the brick store the Relief Society was organized, March 17, 1842, and I was chosen counselor to the President of the society, Mrs. Emma Smith. In this work I took the greatest interest, for I realized in some degree its importance, and the need of such an organization. I was also ordained and set apart under the hand of Joseph Smith the Prophet to administer to the sick and comfort the sorrowful. Several other sisters were also ordained and set apart to administer in these holy ordinances. The Relief Society then was small compared to it numbers now, but the Prophet foretold great things concerning the future of this organization, many of which I have lived to see fulfilled; but there are many things which yet remain to be fulfilled in the future of which he prophesied, that are great and glorious; and I rejoice in the contemplation of these things daily, feeling that the promises are sure to be verified in the future as they have been in the past. I trust the sisters who are now laboring in the interests of Relief Societies in Zion realize the importance attached to the work, and comprehend that upon them a great responsibility rests as mothers in Israel. President Joseph Smith had great faith in the sisters labors, and ever sought to encourage them in the performance of the duties which pertained to these Societies, which he said were not only for benevolent purposes and spiritual improvement; but were actually to save souls.

 

Elizabeth Ann Whitney, "A Leaf from an Autobiography," Woman's Exponent 7, no. 12 (15 November 1878): 91 (pp. 1757-58)

 

Newell Kimball Whitney (February 5, 1795-September 23, 1850)

 

A prophecy of Joseph's in relation to the [Newel K.] Whitney family, uttered in Kirtland, nine years before [i.e., in 1831], was fulfilled soon after they removed from Quincy to Commerce, in the spring of 1840. They at first resided in a very unhealthy neighborhood, and all fell sick with chills and fever. Joseph, on visiting them and witnessing their condition, was touched with compassion. He remembered how kindly they had received him and his family, when they were homeless, and at once urged them to come and occupy a comfortable cottage on his own premises, in a much healthier locality. His generous offer was accepted, and the change soon restored them to wanted health. Joseph had said to Sister Whitney, at Kirtland, that even as she had opened her house to him, he would do a similar act in her behalf in a day when circumstances would require it.

 

Andrew Jenson, LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, 4 vols. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Western Epics, 1971), 1:226 (p. 1777)

 

[Bishop Whitney] moved his family to Nauvoo in the spring of 1840. At first they resided in a very unhealthy neighborhood, and fell sick with fever and ague. The Prophet, on visiting them and witnessing the condition, invited them to occupy a comfortable cottage on his own premises, in a much healthier locality. Thus was fulfilled a promise and a prophecy made by him to Mrs. Whitney on his first arrival in Kirtland, when he said that even as she had opened her house to him and his when he was homeless, he would yet do a similar act for her and her family.

 

"Newel K. Whitney," in Orson F. Whitney, History of Utah, 4 vols. (Salt Lake City, Utah: G. Q. Cannon & Sons Co., 1904), 4:235 (p. 1778)

 

Orange L. Wight (November 29, 1832-June 20, 1907)

 

I was walking along the street with Flora [Woodworth] near the Prophet's residence when he, Joseph, drove, up in his carriage, stopped and spoke to I and Flora and asked us to get in the carriage and ride with him. He opened the door for us and when we were seated opposite to him he told the driver to drive on. We went to the [Nauvoo] temple lot and many other places during the afternoon and then he drove to the Woodworth house and we got out and went in. After we got in the house Sister Woodworth took me in another room and told me that Flora was one of Joseph's wives. I was aware or believed that Eliza R. Snow and the two Partridge girls were his wives but was not informed about Flora. But now Sister Woodworth gave me all the information necessary, so I knew Joseph believed and practiced polygamy. Now while in the coach with Joseph he asked me a great many questions about my mission and about the other elders in my travels, more particular about the Grants and Apostle John E. Page. Page had charge of the Pennsylvania mission and I was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with him part of the winter and with my father who was on a mission in New York State. While in conversation in the carriage I told the Prophet that a man by the name Brank was coming to Nauvoo. He looked troubled for a moment and said he had trouble enough with that man; Brank was an apostate. Then his countenance changed to one of inspiration and he said, "Orange, he will not come" and he never did come. That was a prophecy which seeing him and hearing the words I can never forget. It was proof to me that he was inspired.

 

"Recollections of Orange L. Wight," typescript copy, BYU Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, Utah, 8-9 (pp. 1784-85)

 

Wilford Woodruff (March 1, 1807-September 2, 1898)

 

The Twelve Apostles were called by revelation to go to Far West, Caldwell county, to lay the foundation of the corner stone of the Temple. When that revelation was given this Church was in peace in Missouri. It is the only revelation that has ever been given since the organization of the Church, that I know anything about, that had day and date given with it. The Lord called the Twelve Apostles, while in this state of prosperity, on the 26th day of April, 1838, to go to Far West to lay the corner stone of the Temple; and from there to take their departure to England to preach the Gospel. Previous to the arrival of that period the whole Church was driven out of the State of Missouri, and it was as much as a man's life was worth to be found in the State if it was known that he was a Latter-day Saint; and especially was this the case with the Twelve. When the time came for the corner stone of the Temple to be laid, as directed in the revelation, the Church was in Illinois, having been expelled from Missouri by an edict from the Governor. Joseph and Hyrum Smith and Parley P. Pratt were in chains in Missouri for the testimony of Jesus. As the time drew nigh for the accomplishment of this work, the question arose, "What is to be done?" Here is a revelation commanding the Twelve to be in Far West on the 26th day of April, to lay the corner stone of the Temple there; it had to be fulfilled. The Missourians had sworn by all the gods of eternity that if every other revelation given through Joseph Smith were fulfilled, that should not be, for the day and date being given they declared that it should fail. The general feeling in the Church, so far as I know, was that, under the  circumstances, it was impossible to accomplish the work; and the Lord would accept the will for the deed. This was the feeling of Father Smith, the father of the Prophet. Joseph was not with us, he was in chains in Missouri, for his religion. When President Young asked the question of the Twelve, "Brethren, what will you do about this?" the reply was, "The Lord has spoken and it is for us to obey." We felt that the Lord God had given the commandment and we had faith to go forward and accomplish it, feeling that it was His business whether we lived or died in its accomplishment. We started for Missouri. There were two wagons. I had one and took brother Pratt and President Young in mine; brother Cutler, one of the building committee, had the other. We reached Far West and laid the corner stone according to the revelation that had been given to us. We cut off apostates and those who had sworn away the lives of the brethren. We ordained Darwin Chase and Norman Shearer into the Seventies. Brother George A. Smith and myself were ordained into the quorum of the Twelve on the corner stone of the Temple; we had been called before, but not ordained. We then returned, nobody having molested or made us afraid. We performed that work by faith, and the Lord blessed us in doing it.

 

Journal of Discourses, 13:160 (December 12, 1869) (pp. 1836-37)

 

Brigham Young (June 1, 1801-August 29, 1877)

 

Who delivered Joseph Smith from the hands of his enemies to the day of his death? It was God; though he was brought to the brink of death time and time again, and, to all human appearance, could not be delivered, and there was no probability of his being saved. When he was in jail in Missouri, and no person expected that he would ever escape from their hands, I had the faith of Abraham, and told the brethren, "As the Lord God liveth, he shall come out of their hands." Though he had prophesied that he would not live to be forty years of age, yet we all cherished hopes that that would be a false prophecy, and we should keep him for ever with us; we thought our faith would outreach it, but we were mistaken—he at last fell a martyr to his religion. I said, "It is all right; now the testimony is in full force; he has sealed it with his blood, and that makes it valid."

 

Journal of Discourses, 1:364 (August 1, 1852) (p. 1920)

 

The Prophet Joseph has been referred to, and his prophecy that this people would leave Nauvoo and be planted in the midst of the Rocky Mountains. We see it fulfilled. This prophecy is not a new thing, it has not been hid in the dark, nor locked up in a drawer, but it was declared to the people long before we left Nauvoo. We see the invisible hand of Providence in all this; we realize that His hand has wrought out our salvation.

 

Journal of Discourses, 3:257-58 (March 16, 1856) (pp. 1926-27)

 

Previous to the death of Joseph, he said that the time would come when the Saints would be glad to take a bundle, if they could get one, under their arms and start to the mountains, and that they would flee there, and that if they could pick up a change of linen they would be glad to start with that, and to go into the wilderness with anything, in order to escape from the destruction that is coming on the inhabitants of the earth. This we believed, or at least I did; though it seemed to be pretty hard that people should be obliged to leave their houses, farms, friends, and comforts that they had gathered around them, and run from them all.

 

Journal of Discourses, 4:203 (February 1, 1857) (p. 1927)

 

I will tell you another prophecy of Joseph's, of which both Jews and Gentiles are my witnesses. Joseph said that the bones of hundreds of the Missouri and Illinois mobocrats, who drove the Saints from those States, should bleach on the plains, and their flesh should be meat for wolves. Are you witnesses to that, in coming over the Plains? Yes, hundreds and hundreds of those characters that started to go to the gold mines, their flesh was meat for the wolves, and their bones are there bleaching to-day, so far as they have not been buried, or entirely rotted away. That is another prophecy of Joseph's.

 

Journal of Discourses, 8:357 (March 3, 1861) (p. 1936)

 

Joseph Young (April 7, 1797-June 16, 1881)

 

Under the heading, "A Scrap of History" President Joseph Young writes as follows in relation to the organization of the Seventies: "On the 8th day of February, in the year of our Lord, 1835, the Prophet Joseph Smith called Elders Brigham Young and Joseph Young to the chamber of his residence in Kirtland, Ohio; it being the Sabbath day. After they were seated and he had made some preliminaries, he proceeded to relate a vision he had seen, in regard to the state and condition of those Elders who died in Zion's Camp in Missouri. He said: 'Brethren, I have seen those men who died of the cholera in our camp; and the Lord knows, if I get a mansion as bright as theirs, I ask no more.' At this relation he wept, and for some time could not speak because of his tender feelings in memory of his brethren. When he had somewhat relieved himself, he resumed the conversation, and addressing himself to Brother Brigham Young he said: 'I wish you to notify all the brethren living in branches within a reasonable distance from this place, to meet at a general conference on Saturday next. I shall then and there appoint twelve special witnesses to open the door of the Gospel to foreign nations, and you (speaking to Brother Brigham) will be one of them.'" The prophet, according to the narrator, then explained the duties of the Twelve Apostles, after which he turned to Joseph Young and said with much earnestness: "Brother Joseph, the Lord has made you President of the Seventies."

 

Upon the 28th of the month the first quorum of Seventy were chosen and ordained, under the hands of the Prophet and other Church leaders. Joseph Young was the second name upon the list, and he was one of the original Seven Presidents of that body. Soon afterwards he succeeded to the first or senior place, which he retained to the end of his life, thus realizing the Prophet's forecast concerning him. Not long after the organization of this quorum the Prophet said in the course of an address to them: "Brethren, some of you are angry with me because you did not fight in Missouri; but let me tell you, God did not want you to fight. He could not organize his Kingdom, with twelve men to open the Gospel door to the nations of the earth, and with seventy men under their direction to follow in their tracks, unless he took them from a body of men who had offered their lives, and who had made as great a sacrifice as did Abraham. Now the Lord has got his Twelve and his Seventy, and there will be other quorums of Seventies called, who will make the sacrifice, and those who will not make their sacrifices and their offerings now will make them hereafter."

 

"Joseph Young," in Orson F. Whitney, History of Utah, 4 vols. (Salt Lake City, Utah: G. Q. Cannon & Sons Co., Publishers, 1904), 4:443-44; see also Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols., 2d ed., edited by B. H. Roberts (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1932-51), 2:181 (p. 1972)

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