Joseph Smith: The Martyrdom

164 years ago the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred. Newspaper Headlines at the time screamed: "Thus ENDS Mormonism."

Nevertheless, the work of God has continued since that day, rolling forth to fill the earth.

On June 27, 1844, at about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were assassinated by enemies of the Church in the county jail at Carthage, Illinois. John Taylor, severely wounded at the same time, later called the Smith brothers "martyrs of religion" and declared that the Restoration of the gospel had "cost the best blood of the nineteenth century." These faithful souls personified the Savior's teaching: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

"God is my friend," wrote Joseph Smith to his wife in 1832. "In him I shall find comfort. I have given my life into his hands. I am prepared to go at his call. I desire to be with Christ. I count not my life dear to me, only to do his will." Days before his death in 1844, the Prophet reiterated: "I am ready to be offered a sacrifice for this people."

Leaving Nauvoo for Carthage, Joseph said, "I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men." The Prophet humbly acknowledged, "I am a lover of the cause of Christ."

Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, not once, but innumerable times throughout his life. He translated the Book of Mormon, organized the true Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth once more and restored the plain and precious truths which were lost due to the apostasy of men. He lived great and he died great in the eyes of God!

Do you wonder if Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God? Look around you and see prophesy being fulfilled. Faithful Latter-day Saints have looked and now invite family, friends, and near neighbors to embrace the joy of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Originally created by Seth Adam Smith at http://www.youtube.com/sethadamsmith