In discussing a US Naval mutiny in the news, Joseph says he prefers shooting or throat cutting as a means of execution to hanging.
Joseph Smith, Journal, March 4, 1843, 268, The Joseph Smith Papers website, accessed August 11, 2021
In debate on the bill. Geo A Smith thought imprisonme[n]t better than hanging.
Mayor said he was opposed to hanging if a man kill anothe[r] shoot him or cut his throat. spilling his blood on the ground and let the smoke thereof ascend up to God. and if I ever have the privilige of Making a law on this point I will have it so.—