Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith

Section Six (1843-1844) | False Accusations

1Reynolds Cahoon, Lorenzo D. Wasson and Hiram Kimball accused Joseph of cowardice for wishing to leave the people, adding that their property would be destroyed, and they left without house or home. Like the fable, when the wolves came the shepherd ran from the flock, and left the sheep to be devoured.

2To which Joseph replied: "If my life is of no value to my friends it is of none to myself." Joseph said to Rockwell, "What shall I do?" Rockwell replied, "You are the oldest and ought to know best; and as you make your bed, I will lie with you." Joseph then turned to Hyrum, who was talking with Cahoon, and said, "Brother Hyrum, you are the oldest, what shall we do?" Hyrum said, "Let us go back and give ourselves up, and see the thing out." After studying a few moments, Joseph said, "If you go back I will go with you, but we shall be butchered." Hyrum said, "No, no; let us go back and put our trust in God, and we shall not be harmed.

3The Lord is in it. If we live or have to die, we will be reconciled to our fate." After a short pause Joseph told Cahoon to request Captain Daniel C. Davis to have his boat ready at half-past five to cross them over the river. (June 23, 1844.) DHC 6:545-551.