Thoughts and stories, by Pal

I'm reposting # 877, which I posted a year ago today, June 27, 2017, in honor of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  It was 174 years ago today he and his brother Hyrum were martyred in Carthage, Illinois. I have been to Carthage Jail, and felt the Spirit there.   First I want to include the history from Latter Day Devotion, of what happened the day before--on June 26th.  The story is truly a testament from both Joseph and Hyrum Smith!  I had a great-grandfather, John Lowe Butler, who was an ordained bodyguard to the Prophet Joseph Smith.  He rode with 17 other men to Carthage, but were told by the Prophet to go back home.  He said they rode back in silence.  You can read many inspirational stories about John Lowe Butler by looking under his name under "labels" on the right side, on the blog. This is what happened the day before Hyrum and Joseph were murdered. 1844  - After breakfast, Mr. Stigall, the jailer, moved the Prophet Joseph and tho...

As we know, our dear Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were martyred Pres on June 27, 1844, 174 years ago.  This article tells of what was happening just 4 days before that terrible event.   I want to write my testimony that I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet, and the first prophet of this Dispensation of the Fullness of Times!  I had many ancestors who knew him personally, and they knew they had joined the only true and living Church on this earth, and were willing to go through all they endured, to follow the Prophet!  I believe the same and I am so thankful for what he went through to bring this Gospel to us. This tells of significant happenings just 4 days before the martyrdom, under the "Church History" part at the end. This beautiful painting of the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Liberty Jail was painted by Liz Lemon Swindle Latter Day Light DAILY DEVOTIONAL June 23, 2018 Happiness SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY Prover...

I have been to Carthage Jail, and felt the Spirit there.  First I want to include the history from Latter Day Devotion, of what happened the day before--on June 26th.  The story is truly a testament from both Joseph and Hyrum Smith!  I had a great-grandfather, John Lowe Butler, who was an ordained bodyguard to the Prophet Joseph Smith.  He rode with 17 other men to Carthage, but were told by the Prophet to go back home.  He said they rode back in silence.  You can read many inspirational stories about John Lowe Butler by looking under his name under "labels" on the right side, on the blog. This is what happened the day before Hyrum and Joseph were murdered. 1844  - After breakfast, Mr. Stigall, the jailer, moved the Prophet Joseph and those with him to an upstairs bedroom in the Carthage Jail. It was much more comfortable for the men, however, it did not have a lock on the door. The Prophet met with his lawyers and agreed to a request for a change...

The last 3 days before martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith -- from Latter Day Devotion. The Prophet Joseph Smith and his beloved brother Hyrum June 25,1844  - With the personal guarantee of Governor Ford of protection, the Prophet Joseph Smith, and those traveling with him who had been indited, voluntarily surrendered to the constable in Carthage. At about   8 a.m.  the Prophet and his brother Hyrum were again arrested and this time charged with treason against the state of Illinois based on the testimony of Augustine Spencer. At   8:30 a.m.  Governor Ford called all the troops to the public square and addressed them "in a most inflammatory manner, exciting the feelings of indignation against Generals Joseph and Hyrum Smith" ( History of the Church , 6:563).  At 9:15 a.m. , the Governor invited Joseph to walk with him through the troops. They first went to General Deming's quarters where the Governor again "pledged the faith of the state tha...