Documentary Review: DVD: Prophecies

 This is the second part of two DVDs by Shane Kester.  In this documentary Kester explains how the coming of the Book of Mormon and the Latter-day Saint movement are fulfillment of prophecies.  I was especially intrigued by the story of the Native Americans, as well as the Mormons who were both evicted from their homes, from the East and forced to move out of the country, to Indian Territory for the Native Americans, and to Utah for the Mormons.  It is after this that the Gentiles incurred the wrath of God in the form of the Civil War, and then in other wars.  The South would seek the help of Great Britain.  Great Britain would seek the help of other nations (as in the fist and second world wars).  (See section 87 of the Doctrine and Covenants). Kester tells how Jackson County, Missouri was laid waste during the Civil War.  This was in fulfillment of prophecy from Joseph Smith.  He also explains how the westward migration of the Mormons was also fulfillment of prophecy, including the miraculous crossing of the Mississippi.

Kester has lots of knowledge and shares it here.  Many intriguing stories.  

Documentary Review: Shane Kester: Prophets: Joseph Smith

Chapter 1.  Joseph Smith was not perfect.  Joseph Smith, I am not always a prophet but only when acting as a prophet.  Moroni, Joseph's name will be had for good and evil in all nations.  Internet, for good and. bad has intensified this.

Heber C. Kimball, Must have a testimony for yourself.  "No man or woman will endure on borrowed light."

Do not find fault with prophet.  Even people struggled with Jesus Christ.  so too the struggle with Joseph Smith.  

Joseph Smith, "There is no error in the revelations I have taught."  Joseph Smith was used to restore the gospel and the priesthood.  

The seed is good, but needs to be nourished.  You cannot neglect the tree and expect it to sustain.

President Nelson, "We must learn to receive revelation.  In coming days it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting and constant influence of the Holy Ghost...  I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation.  Do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the spirit more frequently and more clearly."

Chapter 2: Nauvoo the Beautiful.  1844.  39 yo,  Gathering of Israel, translated the Book of Mormon, Bible translating, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, temple, Kirtland, Nauvoo, proxy baptisms, endowment given to apostles, temple functioning for baptism, owned mercantile store, hotel and dock He was a farmer,  Relief Society started.  City of about 20,000.

Chapter 3: Gather up the Libelous Publications That Are Afloat. Because of slander and lies, criticism and outrage turned to violence and murder.  Joseph Smith was prophet of the fastest growing religion in the United States, mayor of the largest city in Illinois and he he was also Lieutenant General of the second largest military in the United States--the Nauvoo Legion.  

Chapter 4: The Origin of the Nauvoo Legion.  Cities were obligated to have their own militia and the governor was the Commander in Chief.  Up to 200 guns issued by the state.  Nauvoo Legion establish to defend against things happening similar to Missouri.  Law stated militia required and people were liable to be fined if they did not participate in the militia.  

Chapter 5: I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves.  We vote for who we think is best.  We do not tell people how to vote.  Joe Duncan, Joseph Smith's horse was candidate for governor who threatened the Mormons

Chapter 6: Lt. General Joseph Smith for President of the United States.  Joseph Smith was 1844 presidential candidate.  Joseph Smith was not impressed with President Martin Van Buren.  Hate to see end of nation if they continue to ignore cries of righteous people.  In not voting for Joseph Duncan the Mormons learned they have some political influence in Illinois, which is a swing state in elections for president.  No positive response from candidates on issue of Missouri retribution.  King Nebuchadnezzar dream and Daniel.  Many people believed the stone was the stone, while Joseph Smith proclaimed the stone referred to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Joseph Smith's plan was anti slavery but not abolitionist. In Joseph's plan government would purchase slaves.  Apostles were campaigning for Joseph.

Chapter 7: The AntiMormons. Thomas C. Sharp from Warsaw created the AntiMormon party.  Warsaw Signal created to publish AntiMormon propaganda.  Carthage, Robert F. Smith, head of Carthage Greys, richest man in Hancock County, judge and head of AntiMormon party in Carthage.  William Law and other disgruntled Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo.  He says Joseph Smith was a fallen prophet.  William Law organized his own church with 12 apostles.  William Law was given printing press and published the Nauvoo Expositor.  Only on issue published and the Nauvoo town counsel destroyed the press.

Chapter 8:  Executive Order 44  Exterminate the Mormons.  Independence, Missouri was proclaimed as Zion.  Mobocratic movement in Missouri lead by other church leaders.  Missouri was a slave state and the Mormons were from the north.  The also had free negroes and thought the Indians were equals.  Expel Mormons by the Law of Nature.  No crimes but because of "peculiar situation" amend law peacable if they can but forcibly if they must.  

Manifesto of Missouri. 1. No Mormons allowed to move into county, 2. All Mormons in county must leave, Evening Star newspaper closed and all Mormon businesses shut down 4. Mormon leaders will advise everyone to comply. 5. Those who fail to comply referred to their brethren.  

This lead to the extermination order.  Tales of the atrocities of Missouri.  It also tells deprivations against the Native Americans.

Chapter 9: The Nauvoo Expositor. An attempt to relive the actions in Missouri five years earlier.  William Law was a former counsellor and knew what he was writing was not truth but was to arouse others.  Accused Joseph Smith of treason and sedition.  

Chapter 10: The Last Days.  After a three day discussion in the Nauvoo City Council, the press was declared a nuisance and abated, destroyed.  The sheriff did this, but there was no riot.  Warsaw Signal said the Mormons should be exterminated.  Joseph Smith charged with riot.  Dismissed by two judges, but Governor Ford insists they come to Carthage.  

Chapter 11: I Am Going Like a Lamb to the Slaughter.  Letter accuses Joseph of being a coward.  "If my life is of no value to my friends, it is of none to myself."  As Joseph passes the temple headed out of town, "This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens little do they know the trials that await them.  At Albert Fellow's Farm, "I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summers morning.  I have a conscience void of offence toward God and toward all men.  If they take my life I shall die an innocent man, and my blood shall cry from the ground for vengeance, and it shall be said of me, he was murdered in cold blood."  Joseph was Hyrum were charged with treason, which did not allow bail. Governor Ford was complicit and his words in Nauvoo were offensive.

Chapter 12: Martyrdom at Carthage Jail.  The four try to keep the door closed.  Hyrum is shot through the dorr and killed.  John Taylor is close to window and shot.  Joseph Smith begins to climb out the window.  Assassins left the door to follow him downstairs.  Joseph is killed.  Samuel Smith also dies a couple months later from hernia he sustained this day riding from the mob.  Willard Richards was not hit except a nick on his ear.  The survival of Willard Richards and John Taylor gave two witnesses which contradicted the narrative being proposed.  The Warsaw Signal had published an article saying it was an attempt by Mormons to rescue the prisoners and all the prisoners were killed, including Governor Ford.  The truth was this was a murder of two, Hyrum and Joseph Smith.

Chapter 13: Messiah Ben Ephraim.  Joseph Smith brought about gathering of Isarael in preparagtion for second coming of Messiah.

Shane Kester is with Nauvoo Tours.  This film is very informative, and a bit long.

Mormon Trail Center Tells the Story of Mormon Migration to Utah: Leaving Nauvoo

 Located across the steet from the Winter Quarters Cemetery and the Winter Quarters Temple, is the Mormon Trail Center at Winter Quarters.  This center should be considered a history museum telling the story of the Mormon migration, from Nauvoo to Salt Lake, and then from Europe to Salt Lake.

The presentation begins and ends with a statue of Jesus, for it is in Him that people have faith.  It was to follow Him that people left their homes to gather with the Saints (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

The Saints were torn because they dersired to finish the temple, and receive their co venants with the Lore, while they were being pressured to move.  5600 received their endowment while in Nauvoo, with the busiest time being just before they exodus.  Other ordinances were performed but numbers are less accurate.  This includes sealing and baptisms for the dead.

Willard and Jenetta Richards were sealed

Best known photograph of Nauvoo

Joseph Smith

Nauvoo map

Items in a trunk to go west in the wagon, doillies and ceramics

A typical wagon load

Lots of study behind where to go?  They thought they were going to Upper California, which was then part of Mexico.

crossing the Mississippi from Nauvoo on ice

Leaving Nauvoo

Across Iowa

On the Missouri

To the Salt Lake Basin

A New First Presidency

Ship travel

By Handcart

By Train

Joseph Smith Is a Prophet: The Burnt District

 The Lord said through Joseph Smith in section 121, "15 And not many years hence, that they and their posterity shall be swept from under heaven, saith God, that not one of them is left to stand by the wall.

16 Cursed are all those that shall lift up the heel against mine anointed, saith the Lord, and cry they have sinned when they have not sinned before me, saith the Lord, but have done that which was meet in mine eyes, and which I commanded them.

17 But those who cry transgression do it because they are the servants of sin, and are the children of disobedience themselves.

18 And those who swear falsely against my servants, that they might bring them into bondage and death—

19 Wo unto them; because they have offended my little ones they shall be severed from the ordinances of mine house.

20 Their basket shall not be full, their houses and their barns shall perish, and they themselves shall be despised by those that flattered them.   And in a conversation with Alexander Doniphan where he advised him not to take land in Jackson County.   "God's wrath hangs over Jackson County. God's people have been ruthlessly driven from it, and you will live to see the day when it will be visited by fire and sword… and only the chimneys will be left to mark the desolation".   

Sheri and I visited Harrisonville, Missouri Cass County where they have erected a memorial to this 

time in their history.  Cass county is one of three evacuated during the war.

The monument is a chimney, which is keeping with Joseph Smith's prophesy

Order 11 lead to the forced evacuation of the territory by militia from Kansas.  People would not return until after the war, but most of the original residents would never return.

A Jennison tombstone is a chimney left after the homes were burnt

monument of the forced evacuation

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.

King Follett and the Well Where He Passed Away

 King Follet is most known for the discourse Joseph Smith gave a few months after the death of King Follett.  It coincided with general conference and was given in the grove by the Nauvoo temple.  Joseph mentioned Follett at the beginning and the end of the discourse.  King Follett was a friend of the prophet Joseph Smith.  He was an elder in the church and possibly a high priest.  He and his wife joined the church in Ohio in 1831.  They had nine children.  He was in Jackson County, and Clay County, as well as Caldwell County in Far West.  The members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were expelled from all three places.  At Far West he was arrested.  Trial was held and all charges were dismissed.  He was the last member of the church released from prison in 1838.  In Nauvoo he served as a police constable.  He died March 9, 1844 when a tub of rocks fell on him as he was lining the wall of a well.  

This is a reconstruction of the King Follett well

Book Review: Prophecies of Joseph Smith and Their Fulfillment

 Prophecies of Joseph Smith and Their Fulfillment, Nephi Lowell Morris, SLC, Utah, Deseret Book Company, 1920.

This book deals with seven prophesies of Joseph Smith and their fulfillment.  The first deals with predictions of war, not only the Civil War but after.  This is in D&C 87 in which is prophesied a war in the U.S. starting in South Carolina and then a general world war.  Both prophesies of war came to pass in the Civil war and WWI.  The prediction of war further came to pass with WWII but this was after this book was written.

Joseph Smith prophesied that the CHurch would bec ome a great body in the Rocky Mountains.  This took place under the direction of Brigham Young.  The Mormon "kingdom" extended from Canada to Mexico.

Joseph Smith prophesied that America was not the "new world" but actually the cradle of civilization.  Joseph Smith told of the place of the Garden of Eden and Adam Ondi Ahman where Adam and Eve dwelt after being expelled from the Garden of Eden.  Over time sciencce is proving this to be the case.

Joseph Smith talked with and made a prophesy regarding Stephen A. Douglas.  He said he would do well in politics, but if he ever turned against the Saints his political career would be over.  Such was the case.  Douglas spoke against the Mormons.  Despite being the Democrat candidate for president in 1860, the southern Democrats nominated their own man.  Abraham Lincoln won.  Shortly after this Douglas became ill and passed away.

The coming forth of the Book of Mormon id s fulfillment of prophecy.  It also contains many prophecies, specifically that it would be a land of liberty with no outside kings.  Such was the case in the Revolutionary War.  God strengthened those seeking freedom.  A similar thing happened with Mexico and the French who wanted to take over.  The Mexicans were able to reject them.  The Monroe Doctrine reinforces this prophesy.  

Orson Hyde would visit Jerusalem and dedicated Israel for the return of thmisA  Jews.   October 24, 1841 Orson Hyde dedicated Israel for the return of the Jews.  Only after this did England take over government control from Turkey.  This facilitated the return of the Jews.

Joseph Smith proclaimed that the birth of Jesus was the first part of April.  Biblical scholars now agree with this date.  The Book of Mormon reveals that his crucifixion has at 33 years and 3 days. This too seems to be accurate.

Joseph Smith prophesied that Jackson County was under condemnation and they would undergo and expulsion similar to the way the expelled the Mormons.  This happened in 1863 with the declaration of order 11 by General Thomas Ewing Jr.  Jackson County and two other counties were completely cleared out excdept for by Kansas City.  Houses were burned, crops destroyed.  People did not return until after the war.  Even so, most residents did not return.  Because of this, this piece of historyn is mostly forgotten.

Joseph Smith made prophecies which were fulfilled.  These predictions were more than based on logic but on having insight from God.  Joseph Smith was a prophet.

 

Article Review: “Silence, Ye Fiends of the Infernal Pit!”: Joseph Smith’s Incarceration in Richmond, Missouri, November 1838

 “Silence, Ye Fiends of the Infernal Pit!”: Joseph Smith’s Incarceration in Richmond, Missouri, November 1838, Alexander L. Baugh, Mormon Historical Studies, pp. 134-159, Mormon Historical Studies, BYU, Provo, Utah, 2012.

This article about the incarceration of Joseph Smith and other church leaders in 1838 provides insight into the personality of the prophet.  A total of 64 Mormon men were arrested.  They were taken to Richmond Missouri for preliminary hearing.  Most stayed at the jail which was still being constructed.  There were seven of them in a make shift jail, made from a log cabin.  These were: Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Hyrum Smith, Parley P. Pratt, Lyman Wight, Amasa Lyman, and George W. Robinson.  They were chained to each other at the ankle.  They were there in November of 1838.  It was during this time that the Prophet Joseph Smith rebuked his guards.  They were talking in a gross manner about atrocities they had committed against Mormon women and children.  Finally Joseph Smith reacted, as related by Parley P. Pratt, "SILENCE—Ye fiends of the infernal pit. In the name of Jesus Christ I rebuke you, and command you to be still; I will not live another minute, and hear such language. Cease such talk, or you or I die THIS MINUTE."

This chastisement had the desired effect.  Pratt continued, "He ceased to speak. He stood erect in terrible majesty. Chained, and without a weapon,—calm, unruffled and dignified as an angel, he looked down upon the quailing guards, whose weapons were lowered or dropped to the ground; whose knees smote together, and who, shrinking into a corner, or crouching at his feet, begged his pardon, and remained quiet till a change of guards."

 After the preliminary hearings were concluded, many were released due to lack of evidence but more than half were remanded for trial to various counties for such things as larceny, burglary and larceny.  For this they were able to post bail.  However a few were charged with murder in the death of Moses Towland who died in the Crooked River skirmish. They would be tried in Richmond and wait in jail until the trial would comence. Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Alexander McRae and Caleb Baldwin were charged with treason for which bail could not be posted.  They would be transferred to Liberty Jail where Joseph would spend another four months.  

Nauvoo Tours: Martyrdom Trail Tour with Shane Kester

 I took the Nauvoo Tour with Shane Kester through Nauvootours.com as I was traveling through Nauvoo from Indiana to home.  One of the most informative things I have ever done.  The tour was not all chronological.  But it was all informative.  

The AntiMormon Party and those from Warsaw who spoke openly about killing Joseph Smith knew that to have any chance to get Joseph Smith they had to get him out of Nauvoo.  The Nauvoo Expositor published their paper which included many slanders against the town and suggested Nauvoo should lose its charter. The Exositor was printed on Mulholland street with a press provided in large part by the Whig Party.   The council debated what to do and after two days determined the press was a town nuisace and should be destroyed.  This gave those enemies to the Mormos an opening.  However they did not charge them with destroying the press but with riot.  It was lawful to remove libelous nuisances.

The arms for the Nauvoo Legion were stored in the 70s Hall in the basement.  So when Joseph came back to Nauvoo when went with them to give the state provided arms back to the state, this is where he would have gone.  

When Joseph was served with a summons to appear in Carthage, the summons said any judge could hear the case.  Joseph went before Judge  Aaron Johnson who lived close to the river.  It was then suggested the case be reviewed by a non-Mormon judge.  Daniel H. Wells heard the case.  In both cases the charges were dismissed.  They accused the men of riot, and there had been no riot.  

However Governor Ford still insisted that he men come to Carthage.  Joseph knew if he did thus his life would be taken.  He crossed the river with thoughts of excaping to the West.  However Emma and others convinced Joseph to return.  That it looked cowardly for him to leave.  

When Joseph went to Carthage, after having come back across the river, He started from his home.  There was a scaffolding and this was made into a platform from which he spoke to the Nauvoo Legion.  His mother wanted assurance he would return.  Instead he said he went to die for Nauvoo.

Joseph traveled in uniform.  The the party that went with him, over 30 people including the City Council, also charged with riot, and those traveling to give support traveled up Mulholland street which goes past the temple.   Here Joseph Smith said, looking back at the city and river, "This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens; little do they know the trials that await them."  They passed the home of Daniel H. Wells, as they road out of town.

There is only one place where the original Nauvoo to Carthage road is intact.  Most of the road is covered with farming operations and fields.  The road was strait on a diagonal, and now the roads are rectangular folling the fields.

Upon the way passed Joseph Smith's farm.  We stopped at Goden Corner's.  This is now a small church.  However when Governor Ford brought the militia with him to visit Nauvoo, this is wher he dismissed the majority of the militia taking only one group with him to Nauvoo.   Consequently many men were able to do whatever havoc they chose.  We went pass the farm of Albert Fellows.  Here Joseph and party were met by Captain Dunn and militia from Augusta which is southeast of Carthage.  They were traveling from Carthage with the assignment to disarm the Mormon militia.  It is in this confrontation that Joseph said, "I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summer's morning."  Joseph returned to Nauvoo with Captain Dunn and the state weapons were handed over.  This included several canon.  Joseph changed out of his military uniform in light ot the Nauvoo Legion being disbanded from state service.

We drove past a creek where it is assumed that the Carthage Greys and the Warsaw militias mixed gunpowder with water to blacken their faces on their way back from Golden's Corners.  Of course they were no longer serving as militia.  This happenned just before they attacked the jail.

Joseph and company arrived at about midnight to Carthage.  There was much catcalling but the governor asked the people to kep their peace and they could see Joseph in the morning.  The stayed at the Hamilton House in Carthage.

 

The next day the men presented themselves at the court house to post bail so they could return to Nauvoo.  Generally bail for riot would be about $5.  However Justice Robert F Smith, a Carthage Gray and president of the Anti-Mormon Party set baile at $500.  They men had to mortgage their homes to get bail money.  Bail having been paid Justice Smith brought charges of treason agianst Joseph and Hyrum.  He then signed an order for them to go to jail, without hearing b ut saying a hearing was held.  He then left.  In this way the Anti-Mormons got what they wanted, Joseph Smith in jail.

An appeal to the governor was not successful in winning release.  It seems the governor had met with many of the conspirators in a secret meeting a few days prior.  All were on board with regards to their plans.  The governor did say if he went to Nauvoo he would take Joseph.  However a couple days later he did go to Nauvoo, but did not take Joseph.  He left the Carthage Greys in charge of guarding the jail.  

The story in the jail is well known.  John Taylor sand "Poor wayfaring Man of Grief.  A mob of 100-200 men stormed the jail.  They met no resistance from the Carthage Greys.  There rifles may have been filled with blanks and the fired over the mob.  Willard Richards and John Taylor fought to keep the jail shut.  Hyrum was the first struck with a bullet gong through the door and hitting his face.  This was with a rifle as confirmed by the angle of the hole in the door.  The bullet travelled downward as the rifle could not be leveled in the hall.  Jose0h was struck in the leg.  There are now two versions.  Willard Richard reportd that Joseph went to the window.  He was struck from with in and without and fell to the ground below dead.  The other version, from William Daniels is that Joseph was trying to climb down, but fell.  He was dazed but not dead.  There he was propped against the well, and four men shot him execution style, ending his life.  Then a young man came forward, saying something to throw the blame on Missouri.  He then attempted to cut of the prophet's head as there was a reward offered for the head of Joseph Smith.  Daniels said a bright light stunned the young man and he was not able to complete his desired task.  

This bit of information was used to discredit his testimony, as no one else witnessed this light.  Only more recently has a second testimony agreed with this in that Mary Elizabeth Rollins who had saved the Book of Commandments from the mob in Missouri, heard several ruffians talk of this same light.  All who were questioned in court denied the light.

Samuel Smith the brother of Hyrum and the prophet, arrived too late in town.  He was able to get a horse and wagon to take his brothers home.

There is a question of conspiracy and whether this was a political assassination.  Also how involved was Governor Ford involved.  Many men met a planned and schemed including Whig politicians who were losing the Mormon vote with Joseph running for president.  The governor had been warned something is afoot.  Yet he left the Carthage Greys the guard the jail, while taking the only nutral militia with him to Nauvoo.