In a revelation received on August 29, 1832, we read the following words addressed to Joseph Smith:
Otherwise thou shalt continue
proclaiming my gospel until thou be taken. Amen. (D&C 99:8)
"Taken" in Joseph Smith's time was defined as
participle passive
of take. Received; caught; apprehended; captivated, etc. (Webster's 1828
Dictionary)
"Taken" was sometimes used to denote God allowing
figures, whether religious or secular, to be killed/martyred, in his providence:
It may appear strange that one so
young, so well prepared and qualified to do good, should be permitted to leave
his country without any opportunities to accomplish his object, be removed by
such a painful death; but who will say that Mr. McMullin has not accomplished
more by his death than by a long life of arduous and devoted labour? It is
almost impossible to realize the results that have been accomplished by the
death of our dear friends at Futtehgurh; and however painful may be the means
by which God has accomplished this good, or our weakness to discern its cause,
yet we are assured that the Judge of all the earth doeth right; and we should
bow in humble submission, and though it may be with sorrowing and bleeding
hearts, acknowledge his right to do as seemeth good in His sight. Our
friends have been taken, but it is God who hath taken them, and taken them too
from a world of trial and affliction to a world of rest and happiness.
Whilst we sorrow, they are rejoicing; for they have washed their robes and made
them white in the blood of the Lamb, and who serve God both day and night in
his temple; and who hunger no more, neither thirst any more,
neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat, as was the case
whilst on the little island and on their way to the execution. (John Johnston
Walsh, A
Memorial of the Futtehgurh Mission and Her Martyred Missionaries: With Some
Remarks on the Mutiny in India [Philadelphia: Joseph M. Wilson; London:
James Nesbit and Co., 1858], 282-83, emphasis in bold added)
The following are among the
particulars recorded of the above enormities: the admiral, on being wounded in
both his arms, immediately said to Maure, preacher to the queen of Navarre,
"Oh, my brother, I now perceive that I am beloved of my God, seeing that
for is most holy name's sake I do suffer these wounds." He was slain by Bemjus,
who afterwards reported that he never saw a man so constantly and confidently
suffer death. Among the honourable men and grater personages who were at the
time murdered, were count Rochfulcaud, Telinius, the admiral's son-in-law,
Antonius Claromontus, marquess of Ravely, Lewis Bussius, Bandineus, Pluvialius,
Bernius, and others. Francis Nompar Caumontius, being in bed with his two sons,
was slain with one of them; the other was strangely preserved, and afterwards
came to great dignity. Stephen Cevaleria Prime, chief treasurer to the king of
Poietiers, a very good man, and careful of the commonwealth, after he had paid
for his life a large sum of money, was cruelly murdered. Magdalen Brissonet,
and excellent and learned woman, the widow of Ivermus, master of requests to
the king, flying out of the city in poor apparel, was taken, murdered, and
cast into the river. Two thousand were murdered in one day; and the same
liberty of killing and spoiling continued certain days after.
The prince of Conde, of the
Bourbon family, being taken prisoner, and his life promised him, was shot in
the neck by Montisquius, captain of the duke of Anjoy's guard.
Thuanus thus speaks of him: "This was the end of Lewis Bourbon, prince of
Conde, of the king's blood, a man higher in birth, most honourable in courage,
eloquence, and liberality, all which virtues excelled in him; had few equals,
and none, even by the confession of his enemies, superior to him." (The Book of
Martyrs, By John Foxe. Condensed from the Larger Editions [London:
Frederick Warne and Co., 1869], 59, emphasis in bold added)
D&C 99:8 appears to be an implicit prediction that Joseph
Smith would one day be martyred.
Further Reading:
