Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith

Section Six (1843-1844) | The Last Night in Jail

1June 26, 1844, 9:15 p.m.--Elder John Taylor prayed. Willard Richards, John Taylor, John S. Fullmer, Stephen Markham and Dan Jones stayed with Joseph and Hyrum in the front room. During the evening the Patriarch Hyrum Smith read and commented upon extracts from the Book of Mormon, on the imprisonment and deliverance of the servants of God for the Gospel's sake.

2Joseph bore a powerful testimony to the guards of the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon, the restoration of the Gospel, the administration of angels, and that the kingdom of God was again established upon the earth, for the sake of which he was then incarcerated in that prison, and not because he had violated any law of God or man. They retired to rest late. Joseph and Hyrum occupied the only bedstead in the room, while their friends lay side by side on the mattresses on the floor. Dr.

3Richards sat up writing until his last candle left him in the dark. The report of a gun fired close by caused Joseph to rise, leave the bed, and lay himself on the floor, having Dan Jones on his left, and John S. Fullmer on his right. Joseph laid out his right arm, and said to John S. Fullmer, "Lay your head on my arm for a pillow, Brother John;" and when all were quiet they conversed in a low tone about the prospects of their deliverance.

4Joseph gave expression to several presentiments that he had to die, and said, "I would like to see my family again," and "I would to God that I could preach to the Saints in Nauvoo once more." Fullmer tried to rally his spirits, saying he thought he would often have that privilege, when Joseph thanked him for the remark and good feelings expressed to him. Soon after Dr.

5Richards retired to the bed which Joseph had left, and when all were apparently fast asleep, Joseph whispered to Dan Jones, "Are you afraid to die?" Dan said, "Has that time come, think you? Engaged in such a cause I do not think that death would have many terrors." Joseph replied, "You will yet see Wales, and fulfill the mission appointed to you before you die." (June 26, 1844--midnight.) DHC 6:600-601.