March 10, 2015 - Tuesday

Mom and I got an early start on the day with our morning devotional and then an hour walk around Old Nauvoo.  We have mapped out a nice trail around the city and we go down Partridge Street to Parley Street to Main Street (in front of the Cultural Hall) to Hubbard Street (by the Visitor's Center)  to Young Street (by the post office - {one of our favorite stops today where we got mail from the Lashers and the Browns!!} to Wells Street (right in front of the Nauvoo Temple) to Durphy Street and then to Hotchkiss and home. It measures about 2 miles.  We stop at the Visitor's Center to ride the stationary bikes for about 10 minutes as part of our routine.

The morning was beautiful and we had to stop and see the monument that was dedicated to Joseph and Hyrum.  It sits right on top of the hill directly in front of the temple.  This is where Joseph and Hyrum sat for a few minutes on June 24, 1844, to look at the temple and Nauvoo one more time before riding to Carthage.  Here is the picture;

Joseph and Hyrum

It has been said that Joseph and Hyrum were the first of three martyrs.  Samuel Harrison Smith, their younger brother joined them in death less than 5 weeks later.

On June 27, 1844, while still living in Plymouth, Samuel learned that his brothers Joseph and Hyrum, who were in Carthage Jail with John Taylor and Willard Richards, were in danger. Samuel headed toward Carthage with a 14-year-old boy driving a wagon. On the way they met a mob, which attacked when they learned Samuel was Joseph Smith’s brother. The boy headed to Carthage with the wagon, and Samuel escaped into the woods “after severe fatigue, and much danger.” 

He made his way home and “acquired a horse noted for its speed.”  His six-year-old daughter, Mary, remembers this moment: “My father came into the house in much excitement, and said … ‘I think I can break through the mob and get to Carthage’ and immediately he mounted the horse and was gone.” 

As he neared the town, a man and woman escaping in a buggy told him his brothers had been killed. Samuel rode on at great speed. Some of the mob, expecting his return, had hidden in a thicket. They chased Samuel, shooting at him. A bullet passed through the top of his hat, but Samuel, an excellent horseman, outran them.

Samuel was the first Latter-day Saint to arrive at the jail,  but by then Joseph and Hyrum were already dead. The violence was over, the mob had retreated, and Samuel had a piercing pain in his side.

Samuel helped Willard Richards take the two bodies and the severely wounded John Taylor to a nearby hotel owned by Artois Hamilton. That night Willard wrote a letter to Emma telling her that Joseph and Hyrum were dead. Samuel's signature appears alongside that of Willard Richards and John Taylor. 

The next day, Samuel, Willard, and Artois took the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum in two wagons to the Mansion House in Nauvoo. Samuel drove the wagon carrying the body of his brother Joseph. A guard of eight men accompanied them. 

After Lucy viewed the bodies, Samuel said, “Mother, I have had a dreadful distress in my side ever since I was chased by the mob.” 

Though Samuel was in pain and Levira was only weeks away from delivering a baby, the family moved into a two-story frame house opposite the Mansion House. Samuel’s health continued to decline. On July 30, just 34 days after Joseph and Hyrum died, Samuel died. His young daughter Mary remembered how “silence gave way to sobs”  after their father passed away. His cause of death was listed as bilious fever...... 

Mom and I both worked in our sites today on the later shift that started at 11:54am and ended at 5:00pm.  Mom worked at the School House and I worked at the Blacksmith's and the Seventies Hall.  I had a group that came in right at closing that wanted to see the Seventies Hall so my time went over a little.  I met mom on the way back home.  

You see, tonight we debuted with our first speaking parts and we wanted to get to the Cultural Hall early to review and make sure what in the world we were supposed to do!!  As was expected and appreciated, everyone was helpful and kind and we made it through!  Here is a relaxing photo of Sister Lasher just a few minutes after her speaking part;

A picture of relief - now we are worried about the camera man!

We have had a great day and we are grateful to each of you for your love and support of these two senior missionaries!  Have a good night!