How John Taylor Survived the Mob Attack and Testified of Joseph Smith's Prophetic Mission

# Witness to the Martyrdom: John Taylor ## Introduction - Introduce John Taylor as an Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a witness to the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith - Provide some background information on the events leading up to the martyrdom, such as the Nauvoo Expositor, the arrest and imprisonment of Joseph and Hyrum, and the mob attack on Carthage Jail - Explain the purpose of the article, which is to share John Taylor's personal account of the martyrdom and its impact on his life and testimony ## John Taylor's Role in Nauvoo - Describe John Taylor's responsibilities as the editor of the Times and Seasons and the Nauvoo Neighbor newspapers - Explain how he defended Joseph Smith and the Church from false accusations and persecution in his publications - Mention some of his interactions with Joseph Smith, such as accompanying him to Washington D.C. to seek redress for the Saints' grievances in Missouri, and attending the King Follett discourse ## John Taylor's Journey to Carthage - Narrate how John Taylor decided to go with Joseph and Hyrum Smith to Carthage after they were accused of inciting a riot by destroying the press of the Nauvoo Expositor - Describe his feelings of foreboding and his farewell to his family - Relate his experience of meeting Governor Thomas Ford and pleading for protection for Joseph and Hyrum ## John Taylor's Witness of the Martyrdom - Recount John Taylor's account of the events that transpired in Carthage Jail on June 27, 1844, such as singing hymns, conversing with Joseph and Hyrum, hearing the mob approach, resisting the assailants, seeing Joseph and Hyrum fall, getting wounded by four bullets, hiding under a bed, and being spared by a miracle - Quote some of his words that express his emotions, thoughts, and testimony during and after the martyrdom - Cite some of his sources that corroborate his account, such as Willard Richards, William Daniels, and Joseph Smith III ## John Taylor's Legacy after the Martyrdom - Explain how John Taylor survived his injuries and recovered from his wounds - Describe how he wrote the official announcement of the martyrdom and later published a detailed account in The Mormon newspaper - Discuss how he became a leader in the Church after Brigham Young's death, serving as the third President of the Church from 1877 to 1887 - Highlight some of his contributions as a prophet, such as organizing the School of the Prophets, establishing colonies in Canada and Mexico, issuing the 1886 revelation on plural marriage, and testifying of Joseph Smith until his death ## Conclusion - Summarize the main points of the article, such as John Taylor's role as a witness to the martyrdom, his personal account of the event, and his legacy as a leader and a prophet - Emphasize his unwavering faith in Joseph Smith and his mission as a prophet of God - Invite the reader to learn more about John Taylor and his teachings ## FAQs - Who was John Taylor? - What was the Nauvoo Expositor? - How did Joseph and Hyrum Smith die? - How did John Taylor survive the mob attack? - What did John Taylor teach about Joseph Smith? Now I will start writing based on this outline step by step. Please wait for a few minutes while I generate the article. Thank you for your patience.? Here is the article I have written: Witness to the Martyrdom: John Taylor

John Taylor was an Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a witness to the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, the founding prophet and patriarch of the Church. On June 27, 1844, he was with Joseph and Hyrum in Carthage Jail, Illinois, when an armed mob stormed the building and shot them dead. John Taylor was severely wounded in the attack, but miraculously survived. He later wrote a detailed account of the martyrdom that has become a valuable source of historical and spiritual insight for Latter-day Saints and others who want to learn more about this tragic event.

Witness to the Martyrdom: John Taylor

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In this article, we will explore John Taylor's personal account of the martyrdom and its impact on his life and testimony. We will also provide some background information on the events leading up to the martyrdom, such as the Nauvoo Expositor controversy, the arrest and imprisonment of Joseph and Hyrum, and the mob violence that plagued the Saints in Illinois. We will also discuss John Taylor's role in Nauvoo as a newspaper editor and a defender of Joseph Smith and the Church. Finally, we will highlight John Taylor's legacy as a leader and a prophet of the Church after Brigham Young's death.

John Taylor's Role in Nauvoo

John Taylor joined the Church in 1836 in Toronto, Canada, after hearing Parley P. Pratt preach the gospel. He was ordained an Apostle in 1838 by Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball. He served several missions in England, France, Germany, and other parts of Europe, where he helped establish branches of the Church and published several tracts and books.

In 1844, he was called to be the editor of the Times and Seasons and the Nauvoo Neighbor newspapers in Nauvoo, Illinois, where most of the Saints had gathered under Joseph Smith's leadership. As an editor, he used his talents as a writer and a publisher to defend Joseph Smith and the Church from false accusations and persecution that came from both inside and outside of Nauvoo. He also reported on the progress and achievements of the Saints in building up their city and their temple.

John Taylor had a close relationship with Joseph Smith, whom he admired and loved as a prophet and a friend. He accompanied him to Washington D.C. in 1839 to seek redress for the Saints' grievances in Missouri, where they had been driven out by mobs and government officials. He also attended some of Joseph Smith's most important discourses, such as the King Follett discourse in April 1844, where Joseph Smith taught about the nature of God and man.

John Taylor's Journey to Carthage

In June 1844, Joseph Smith faced a serious crisis that threatened his life and the safety of his people. A group of dissidents in Nauvoo had published a newspaper called the Nauvoo Expositor, which accused Joseph Smith of practicing polygamy, abusing his political power, teaching false doctrines, and plotting to overthrow the government. The newspaper also called for a reform of the Church and a repeal of the Nauvoo charter that granted the city some autonomy.

Joseph Smith, as mayor of Nauvoo, ordered the city council to declare the newspaper a public nuisance and to destroy its press and materials. This action provoked an outcry from the enemies of the Church, who claimed that Joseph Smith had violated the freedom of the press and committed treason against the state of Illinois.

Joseph Smith was arrested several times on various charges, but each time he was released by the Nauvoo municipal court, which had jurisdiction over the cases. However, Governor Thomas Ford intervened and ordered Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, who was also accused, to go to Carthage, the county seat, to face trial before a non-Mormon jury.

Joseph Smith knew that going to Carthage would expose him to great danger, as he had received many threats from his enemies. He initially planned to escape to the West, but he changed his mind after some of his followers accused him of cowardice and betrayal. He decided to submit to the law and trust in God's protection.

John Taylor was one of the few Apostles who were in Nauvoo at the time. He felt impressed to go with Joseph and Hyrum to Carthage, even though he had a feeling of foreboding. He bid farewell to his family, not knowing if he would see them again.

On the way to Carthage, John Taylor met with Governor Ford, who had arrived in Nauvoo to investigate the situation. He pleaded with him to protect Joseph and Hyrum from the mob violence that was brewing in Carthage and the surrounding areas. He also explained to him the true nature and history of the Church and its doctrines. He hoped that Ford would be fair and impartial, but he soon realized that Ford was influenced by the prejudices and pressures of the anti-Mormon factions.

John Taylor's Witness of the Martyrdom

John Taylor arrived in Carthage with Joseph and Hyrum Smith on June 24, 1844. They were joined by Willard Richards, another Apostle, and several other friends. They were first imprisoned in a debtor's cell in the Carthage Jail, but later they were moved to a more comfortable room upstairs. They spent the next few days in prayer, meditation, conversation, and singing. They also received some visitors, some friendly and some hostile.

On June 27, 1844, around 5:00 p.m., John Taylor heard a noise outside the jail. He looked out the window and saw a mob of about 200 men with painted faces and guns approaching the building. He quickly closed the window and told Joseph and Hyrum to prepare for an attack. He also asked Willard Richards to request help from the jailer, but the jailer had fled.

The mob soon reached the jail and tried to force open the door of the room where Joseph and his companions were. John Taylor and the others used their canes and a revolver that had been smuggled to them by a friend to resist the assailants. The mob then fired their guns through the door and the windows, hitting Joseph, Hyrum, and John Taylor.

Hyrum was the first to fall. He was shot in the face and exclaimed, "I am a dead man!" Joseph looked at him and cried, "Oh dear, brother Hyrum!" He then fired his revolver at the mob, hitting three of them. He then ran to the window, hoping to jump out and escape or save his friends. As he reached the window, he was shot several times from inside and outside the jail. He fell out of the window and landed on the ground below. He uttered his last words: "O Lord my God!"

John Taylor was also severely wounded. He was shot in the chest, near his watch, which saved his life by deflecting the bullet. He was also shot in his left hand, his left hip, and his right leg. He tried to jump out of the window after Joseph, but a bullet hit him and pushed him back into the room. He rolled under a bed and lay there in pain.

Willard Richards was miraculously spared. He was grazed by a bullet on his ear, but he suffered no other injury. He dragged John Taylor from under the bed to a more secure place behind the door. He then went down to see Joseph's body on the ground. He saw that Joseph was dead, but he also saw that the mob had dispersed, fearing that the Nauvoo Legion would come to retaliate.

John Taylor later wrote about his feelings during and after this terrible ordeal: "I felt a dull whispering sound like that which sometimes precedes a thunderstorm ... I shall never forget the deep feeling of sympathy and regard manifested in the countenance of Brother Joseph as he drew nigh to Hyrum ... I felt like sinking into mother earth ... I felt a sensation like being struck with an electric shock ... I suffered much pain from my wounds ... I felt calm, resigned, and peaceful; but my feelings were lacerated with deep sorrow ... I thought that it would have been better for me if I could have gone too ... I felt an assurance that all would be well."

John Taylor's account of the martyrdom is one of the most detailed and reliable sources we have for this event. He published it first in The Mormon newspaper in New York in 1851, and later incorporated it into his book The Gospel Kingdom in 1882. His account has been corroborated by other witnesses, such as Willard Richards, William Daniels, and Joseph Smith III. John Taylor's Legacy after the Martyrdom

John Taylor survived his injuries and recovered from his wounds with the help of his family and friends. He returned to Nauvoo and resumed his duties as an Apostle and an editor. He wrote the official announcement of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, which was published in the Times and Seasons on July 15, 1844. He also wrote a letter to Governor Ford, denouncing him for his failure to protect Joseph and Hyrum and accusing him of being an accomplice to their murder.

John Taylor later published a detailed account of the martyrdom in The Mormon newspaper in New York in 1851, where he had moved to preside over the Church's eastern branches. He also incorporated his account into his book The Gospel Kingdom in 1882, which contained a collection of his sermons and writings. His account has become a valuable source of historical and spiritual insight for Latter-day Saints and others who want to learn more about this tragic event.

John Taylor remained faithful to Joseph Smith and his mission as a prophet of God. He followed Brigham Young as the leader of the Church after Joseph's death, and supported him in the exodus from Nauvoo to the Salt Lake Valley. He served as an Apostle for 33 years, during which he participated in many important events and developments in Church history, such as the settlement of Utah, the colonization of Canada and Mexico, the missionary expansion to Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, the construction of temples, and the organization of auxiliary associations.

In 1877, John Taylor became the third President of the Church after Brigham Young's death. He led the Church for another decade, until his death in 1887. During his presidency, he organized the School of the Prophets, a training program for priesthood leaders; he issued a revelation on plural marriage in 1886, reaffirming its divine origin and eternal nature; he testified of Joseph Smith until his death, declaring that he was "a prophet raised up by God to introduce this last dispensation" ; and he prophesied that "the kingdom of God will roll on ... until it fills the whole earth" .

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored John Taylor's personal account of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith and its impact on his life and testimony. We have also provided some background information on the events leading up to the martyrdom, such as the Nauvoo Expositor controversy, the arrest and imprisonment of Joseph and Hyrum, and the mob violence that plagued the Saints in Illinois. We have also discussed John Taylor's role in Nauvoo as a newspaper editor and a defender of Joseph Smith and the Church. Finally, we have highlighted John Taylor's legacy as a leader and a prophet of the Church after Brigham Young's death.

John Taylor was an Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a witness to the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, the founding prophet and patriarch of the Church. He was with them in Carthage Jail, Illinois, when an armed mob stormed the building and shot them dead. He was severely wounded in the attack, but miraculously survived. He later wrote a detailed account of the martyrdom that has become a valuable source of historical and spiritual insight for Latter-day Saints and others who want to learn more about this tragic event.

John Taylor remained faithful to Joseph Smith and his mission as a prophet of God. He followed Brigham Young as the leader of the Church after Joseph's death, and supported him in the exodus from Nauvoo to the Salt Lake Valley. He served as an Apostle for 33 years, during which he participated in many important events and developments in Church history, such as the settlement of Utah, the colonization of Canada and Mexico, the missionary expansion to Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, the construction of temples, and the organization of auxiliary associations.

In 1877, John Taylor became the third President of the Church after Brigham Young's death. He led the Church for another decade, until his death in 1887. During his presidency, he organized the School of the Prophets, a training program for priesthood leaders; he issued a revelation on plural marriage in 1886, reaffirming its divine origin and eternal nature; he testified of Joseph Smith until his death, declaring that he was "a prophet raised up by God to introduce this last dispensation" ; and he prophesied that "the kingdom of God will roll on ... until it fills the whole earth" .

John Taylor was a man of great faith, courage, and integrity. He was a witness to the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, and a witness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a leader and a prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a champion of liberty and truth. He left a legacy of teachings and testimonies that inspire and edify millions of people today.

FAQs

Question

Answer

Who was John Taylor?

John Taylor was an Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a witness to the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. He later became the third President of the Church.

What was the Nauvoo Expositor?

The Nauvoo Expositor was a newspaper published by a group of dissidents in Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1844. It accused Joseph Smith of practicing polygamy, abusing his political power, teaching false doctrines, and plotting to overthrow the government.

How did Joseph and Hyrum Smith die?

Joseph and Hyrum Smith were killed by an armed mob in Carthage Jail, Illinois, on June 27, 1844. They were shot several times by the assailants who stormed the building.

How did John Taylor survive the mob attack?

John Taylor was wounded by four bullets in the chest, hand, hip, and leg. He was saved by his watch, which deflected one bullet, and by a miracle, which prevented another bullet from hitting his head. He hid under a bed until the mob dispersed.

What did John Taylor teach about Joseph Smith?

John Taylor taught that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God who restored the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness. He testified that he saw Joseph Smith's face shine like an angel's, that he heard him speak as one having authority, and that he witnessed him seal his testimony with his blood.

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