IntroductionFurthermore, those who believe in Mormonism who reject this book, or never even read it,
have no right to claim that they were ever worthy enough to have the “greater things” given
to them. They would become “worthy” simply by “knocking.”
The events that happened after the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum, when considered in
the context of normal human behavior, shed a bright light on the great stumbling blocks
that were put before the people and remain to this day. These stumbling blocks remain as
solid and as high as they ever were in keeping the people from having a full understanding
of the “mysteries of God,” something, according to their own scripture, that they must have
or they will know nothing. The Mormon people, as well as anyone who does not
understand a fullness of the mysteries, are truly held captive in “the chains of hell.”^91
On the Eve of the Martyrdom
As mentioned above, no historical record exists that thoroughly explains why
Joseph’s and Hyrum’s immediate families began an endless family feud instead of
supporting each other after the deaths of their beloved patriarchs. The feud left the families
continually separated and engaged in an enduring struggle over who was right and who
was wrong. Lucy Mack Smith, who survived the death of her sons, was devastated. Not
only had she lost all of her sons except for one, but her daughters-in-law also became bitter
enemies. After the events following the death of their husbands, Emma and the Fielding
sisters (Mary and Mercy) could hardly be in the same room together. Brigham Young
played a key part in all of this.
The night before Joseph and Hyrum were murdered, John Taylor, Willard Richards,
John S. Fullmer, Stephen Markham, and Dan Jones had stayed with them.^92 Some lively
discussions occurred between Joseph and the men who were guarding them concerning the
unsafe environment in which they were incarcerated. There were also discussions held
among those present on many other topics of concern, owing to Joseph’s strong
premonitions of his impending death. Taylor inquired about the sealed portion of the plates
and the succession of priesthood authority, if something were to happen to Joseph. Joseph’s
comments in response to these questions left a profound impact on Taylor, Richards,
Fullmer, Markham, and Jones. What Joseph said on these subjects left the men perplexed.
But as they were during his life, they were after his death: all accepting without question
what their prophet had prophesied.
As human nature is, each of the men who attended Joseph during his last night in
mortality vividly recalled what he said to each of them personally, witnessing to others of
their “special” relationship with the prophet. Fullmer claimed that Joseph had him lay his
head on Joseph’s right arm as they lay down to sleep. Dan Jones, on his left arm, later
recounted what Joseph prophesied: that he (Jones) would live to serve another mission to
Wales before he died.^93 What the world has never known is the full content of Joseph’s last
communication with these men.
As mentioned, Mormon historians with their own agendas have recounted Joseph’s
last remarks so that they would agree with what they wanted him to have said. To cover their
tracks of abusing literary license and writing whatever was convenient for them to report
about the last events of Joseph’s life, they claimed that Willard Richards wanted to take notes
on what was said, but was forbidden to do so by Hyrum. They reported that Hyrum looked
Cyrus H. Wheelock in the eyes and told him that he did not need to take any notes because
Wheelock would remember all things that were told to him.^94 Yet even if Wheelock could