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The day a prophet died

180 years ago today, June 27 1844, right around the time I am writing this – 5:00 PM, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were murdered by a mob of armed and painted men while confined at Carthage Jail in Hancock County, Illinois. Climaxing over 24 years of persecution, their deaths sealed their testimonies, making them religious martyrs in ‘the land of the free’, ironically the one country in this world founded upon the tenet of religious freedom.

Inspired artists of all genres have lent their talent to portraying the life and mission as well as the death of these great men. Painters, sculptors, poets, educators, writers of books, songs and scripts, film and stage actors, musicians and singers, have brought their testimonies to life and tears to the eyes of those they speak to. This beautiful (new to me) image painted by artist Andrew Knaupp depicts the minutes leading up to the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum.

Pay particular attention to the two brothers in the middle, look closely. Note the brotherly love on their faces as they looked at each other for the last time in this life. Put yourself there. Did they know it? In seconds from that look, the world would change.

“Facing your own death,” said Knaupp “is one thing. Facing the death of your brother at the hand of a mob is another. …. I was trying to capture, as close as I could, what it might have actually looked like, …… so that it might transport the viewer to that moment. …. “. It transported me.

“I can’t think of someone better, that the Prophet would want to have been with in those final moments, than his brother Hyrum.” – Andrew Knaupp

This second image – painted by artist Liz Lemon Swindle, is aptly called OH MY POOR DEAR BROTHER HYRUM. Hyrum was shot first and died almost immediately. “In life they were not divided, and in death, they were not separated” said John Taylor who was witness to the martyrdom and the days prior to it – himself severely wounded. Of Joseph he said “He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people, and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood and so has his brother Hyrum.” (D&C 135:3)

Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah! Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation, Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.

Praise to his memory, he died as a martyr; Honoured and blest be his ever great name!
Long shall his blood, which was shed by assassins, Plead unto heaven while the earth lauds his fame.

Great is his glory and endless his priesthood. Ever and ever the keys he will hold.
Faithful and true, he will enter his kingdom, Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.

Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven; Earth must atone for the blood of that man.
Wake up the world for the conflict of justice. Millions shall know “Brother Joseph” again.

Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.
– William W. Phelps,

Brothers written and sung by Kenneth Cope

I love the Prophet Joseph, I have from the first day I learned about him. I felt a sureness of who and what he was from that early time that has never wavered. I am indebted to him for a lifetime of service and sacrifice that ultimately changed the world. He was a critical player in events leading up to the day in which I live, and is a core figure in the way I personally choose to worship Jesus Christ. I revere him and honour him as a prophet of God. And I love Hyrum Smith too, for the goodness of his heart and his unfailing support of his prophet brother from day one. He is an example to me of long suffering and unfailing, guileless charity and love.
I know that Jesus Christ lives and is intimately involved in the day to day happenings of this world. He loves us, and I love Him.

As a Lamb to the Slaughter written and sung by Jason Deere

June 27 is a somber day of reflection for me.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Warmly,

Cindy Suelzle

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Families are Eternal

Our first grandchild was born twenty two years ago yesterday. A grandson. His name is Samuel Raymond Daniel Burgess.

He didn’t stay here very long, only a few days. His destiny was different than many of ours. His was to gain a body and belong to a family. He accomplished both of those and then went back to heaven. I like to think he interacted with our other grandchildren before they left their heavenly home, and that he currently enjoys the company of his several great grandparents and a favourite uncle who live there now too.

We think of him often and wonder what life is like where he lives, but we never wonder IF he lives. We appreciate this week especially. It was a difficult time for his young mom and dad, but at the same time it was a privilege. Some babies are just like that. Spirits too special to stay here.

I have a stone from his grave displayed on a shelf in my living room. Its been there these 22 years. I have his name written on it and his birth date and death date. I called it Samuel’s rock. When his younger sister was little I would ask her from time to time (wanting to remind her about heaven and angels and such) “Olivia, where is Samuel?” She would go and get the rock.

I would say “No, this is a rock. Samuel lives in heaven.”

Then a few days later I would ask her again “Where is Samuel Olivia?” She would go and get the rock, and I would repeat “No, this is a rock. Samuel lives in heaven.”

And so it would go, eventually I hoped to solicit a response like “Samuel lives in heaven.”

One day I asked “Olivia, where is Samuel?”

She responded dismissively “Oh, he’s a rock.” 😂 I decided to wait a few months before we revisited the concept. 🙂

She and her younger siblings have it down pat by now. 😉 They get it. They know exactly where he is, and even all the cousins know about their older cousin who none of them met (at least not here). How grateful I am that families are eternal and that we know Samuel is not lost to us, and we’re not lost to him.

We are family. And that means, that through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can live together again as families.

In the meantime, Happy 22th Birthday Sammy. If you were here, I have no doubt you’d laugh a lot with your younger siblings. They’re a hoot. But perhaps you chuckle with them even now, from your current vantage point. And probably roll your eyes a little at their shannanaggins. Like me.

Warmly,

Gramma Suelzle
January 2024

PS
I so appreciate the beautiful heartfelt words of someone who has gone through something deeply personal and moving. And I appreciate their willingness to share those sentiments so that others can feel the spirit of them – speaking right to, and right ‘from’ their own hearts. With that in mind, included here are the beautiful lyrics to a song written and recorded by Larry Pearson and Marie Pearson. Chosen by Samuel’s parents, and sung at his funeral by friend Leanne Smetaniuk, accompanied by friend Linda Purnell. Thank you Larry and Marie (brother and sister bytheway).

To Let Your Son Go
Ever since I held him close and saw that tiny face
I believed I understood why I’m in this place.
Birth is but a letting go from the arms of God,
But every tear of mine I’ve shed – When I had to give him back again.

Maybe someday I will understand,
But if he’s not in my arms, then at least I’m sure
He’s home within yours.

And within his newborn eyes, I’m sure I saw a light
An angel as a living soul, too perfect for this life.
I never knew what miracles I’d know because of him;
If I knew how it would end – I still would go through everything again.
He left Your home, then he left my own.
I guess You know what it is really like – To let Your son go.

Please here my prayer, heal me now in my deepest need.
Cause it’s enough to help me through
To know the one who understands – is You.

He left Your home, Then he let my own.
I guess You know what it is really like – To let Your son go.

the CD “One by One” by the Pearsons, produced cc 1998. I am sharing this image in the hopes that perhaps you might be able to find it one day either in the original CD, or Spotify or YouTube or wherever. It was independently done and I’ve looked in vain on line for any version that I could share with you here. Well worth the effort if you can find it.