Events leading up to the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith

How did Joseph and Hyrum Smith die?

Joseph and Hyrum were killed by gunshot[31] when a mob of approximately 150 – 200 men[32] from local communities[33] forced entry into Carthage Jail where they were awaiting trial.[34]

Why were they in jail?

They were arrested on June 25, 1844 on charges of “treason against the government and the people of the State of Illinois”.[35] The charges were based on Joseph Smith's declaration of martial law in Nauvoo on June 18.[36] Threats of violence had been made against the Latter-day Saints,[37] and Church leaders were intent on ensuring the safety of the citizens of Nauvoo.[38]

Were they guilty of treason?

Probably not. Illinois law at the time defined treason as “levying war against the government and people of this state” or “giving . . . aid, advice, and comfort” to any enemies of the state.[39] The Nauvoo Legion, a state-authorized militia,[BIO] was mobilized for approximately four days, during which they detained several people who were not Nauvoo citizens,[40] but no record exists to suggest war or violence were perpetrated against the state of Illinois or its citizens.

Weren't they jailed because they destroyed the Nauvoo Expositor?

No, but it is related. Joseph and Hyrum were already in Carthage for a retrial of charges for "inciting a riot"[41] from two weeks earlier when Joseph ordered the destruction of the Expositor, a local newspaper critical of Joseph Smith.[42] These charges were the result of complaints by disaffected Latter-day Saints[43] who had funded and published a single edition of the Expositor that "exposed" Joseph Smith's polygamy,[44] claimed he was unjustly accumulating power,[45] and was an "apostate" introducing false doctrines into the Church.[46] See timeline above for more information relating to the publishing and destruction of the Expositor.

Is it true that Joseph and Hyrum attempted to flee after the riot hearings?

Yes. Citizens of Hancock County had met and published a resolution threatening "a war of extermination. . .to the entire destruction, if necessary for our protection, of [Joseph's] adherents".[47] Joseph and Hyrum fled to Iowa on June 23,[48] but stayed for less than a day when they learned that some Latter-day Saints felt betrayed,[49] and there was still the possibility of violence in Nauvoo.[50]

Is it true that Joseph and others took off their garments before going to Carthage?

Yes. In a meeting in 1845, John Taylor stated that Joseph, Hyrum, and himself had removed their garments prior to traveling to Carthage, while Willard Richards had not.[51] W. W. Phelps[BIO] recalled in the same meeting that Joseph told him they removed their garments "on account of the hot weather."[52]

Is it true that Joseph had a gun during the attack at Carthage jail and shot people?

Yes. Cyrus Wheelock[BIO] smuggled a gun into Carthage jail in his overcoat and gave it to Joseph.[53] When the mob of armed men entered the jail to kill Joseph and his colleagues,[54] Joseph fired back with a six-barreled pistol.[55] Three men in the mob were reportedly wounded.[56] Hyrum also had a gun,[57] but it is unclear whether he fired it.[58]

Did Joseph Smith call out a Masonic distress signal during the shooting?

Probably. Joseph had been a Freemason since 1842,[59] and it was reported that he attempted to signal his distress to fellow Freemasons when his life was in danger.[60]

If Joseph died in a "gunfight" in jail, should we be calling him a martyr?

The term "martyr" can refer to anyone who dies for a cause, but has its roots in the context of religion.[61] Religious beliefs and practices were a significant source of tension between the Latter-day Saints and their fellow citizens,[62] and Joseph and Hyrum were religious leaders. Several newspapers that covered their deaths labeled them as martyrs.[63]

Doesn’t a true martyr have to willingly go to their death?

No, not historically. For example, Stephen in the Bible is often referred to as the first martyr, and he did not volunteer to die.[64]

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, first published in 1563, includes many Christian martyrs who tried to escape, fought back, and even killed those trying to kill them.[65] Those considered Latter-day Saint martyrs by the time of Joseph's death included some like David Patten,[BIO] who fought their attackers,[66] and some who did not fight, such as women and children,[67] or even those who died long after the Missouri violence against the Latter-day Saints.[68]

Joseph said that he was "going as a lamb to the slaughter." Is that a misrepresentation?

Joseph surrendered to authorities in Carthage to stand trial and expressed concern multiple times that violence or even death were possible if he went,[69] despite the pledge of protection from Governor Thomas Ford.[70]

Has the Church tried to control the martyrdom narrative and exclude the part about him firing a gun at the mob?

Yes and no. The Church has published many narratives over the years describing the martyrdom of Joseph Smith[71] and many of them have excluded the fact that he was armed[72] or have implied that he was unarmed.[73] However, many of them have also included this detail.[74] The pepperbox pistol believed to be used by Joseph has been on display in the Church History Museum since 2015.[75]

I heard that some people think that Brigham Young or John Taylor killed Joseph Smith. What's that about?

There is no credible evidence in the documentary records to support this theory.[76] However, in the Under the Banner of Heaven FX mini-series, there are multiple scenes that imply that Brigham Young ordered Joseph's death,[77] and the film Who Killed Joseph Smith? presents a theory that blames John Taylor for the deaths.[78]