Book Review: Like a Lamb to the Slaughter: Revisiting the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith

 Like a Lamb to the Slaughter: Revisiting the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith by Craig R. Dunn, Eborn Books, United States of America, 2019.

Another look at the events leading up to the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, June 27, 1844.  No one was ever brought to justice for this crime, but many people were culpable.  This book gives a carful analysis of those responsible, starting with Governor Thomas Ford who insisted the come to Carthage and promised protection, but did not provide it.  In fact he did just the opposite.  He left Carthage with people who swore they were going to kill in Joseph Smith guarding the jail.  Was he that stupid or part of the conspiracy?  He seemed to be in on it according to this book.

Joseph Smith and the city council were first arrested for riot.  This charge was dismissed twice by different judges.  There was no riot.  However Governr Ford insisted the come to Carthage tto answer before the judge who issued the indictment.  They went, ans while on their way Joseph uttered the statement which is the title of this book, "I go like a lamb to the Slaughter."  They arrived late and the next day they were brought before Judge Robert F. Smith, not the judge that issued the warrant.  He was the heaqd of the Carthage Greys, also head of the antiMormon Party.  He set bail so high for the riot charges he didn't think they could make bail, but they all did.  However he then brought charges of treason, and bound them over without a hearing and without bail.  Consequently Joseph and Hyrum were remanded to jail.  All others were free to go.  

So a couple days later when the militia was released from duty they went directly to the jail to carry out the deed and went right past the guards who were in on the plot.  Thomas Sharp of Warsaw, editor of the newspaper was also instrumental in bringing about this fate.  

I would recommend this book.  It goes over the last details, and reveals Joseph Smith as a prophet of God.  It also namers the shooters at the well, but gives the alternative version of joseph already being dead.