The first anti valentine reports of the martyrdom were from anti-Mormon sources and tended to justify the killings, but as the facts began to get out, there was general condemnation throughout the United States. Although the editors did not care for the LDS religion, they condemned the acts of violence. Seeing some pattern between the Native American movement and the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum, Fayetteville’s North Carolinian announced that civil war “with all its horrors is upon us! It breaks upon us simultaneously from the east, and from the west.

Native Americanism in Philadelphia and Mormonism in Illinois! It was under these circumstances that Joseph and Hyrum crossed the Mississippi river to Iowa, with the intent of going West with their families. It was felt that with Joseph and Hyrum gone, the crisis would pass. However, Emma and others urged Joseph to return, with the argument that the governor’s promise of protection could be trusted.

Joseph had already written to the governor stating, “We dare not come, though your excellency promises protection. Joseph, with clear misgivings, turned back, but he also said, “And I declare again the only objection I ever had or ever made on trial by my country at any time was what I have made in my last letter – on account of assassins, and the reason I have to fear deathly consequences from their hands. Joseph and Hyrum were persuaded to come back. It is here that Joseph made his famous statement, “If my life is of no value to my friends, it is of no value to me. Joseph had fled and left word for the brethren to hang on to their arms and take care of themselves the best way they could.

Some were tried almost to death to think Joseph should leave them in the hour of danger. Hundreds have left the city since the fuss commenced. Most of the merchants on the hill have left. The rest is well known: the demand by the governor that Joseph go to Carthage and stand trial, the disarming of the Nauvoo Legion, the Prophet’s arrival at Carthage at midnight. 500 bail, whereon he was immediately charged with treason and was taken to Carthage Jail.

The fact that the Prophet Joseph would meet a martyr’s death seems to be clear from what he wrote and spoke. From Doctrine and Covenants 6:30 we read, “And even if they do unto you even as they have done unto me, blessed are ye, for you shall dwell with me in glory. I understand my mission and business. God almighty is my shield, and what can man do if God is my friend. I shall not be sacrificed until my time comes – then I shall be offered freely. In an address at the funeral of Ephraim Marks, the Prophet Joseph said: “Some have supposed that Brother Joseph could not die, but this is a mistake.

And finally, these telling words from Orson Hyde within three months of the martyrdom: “Before I went east on the fourth of April last, we were in council with Brother Joseph almost every day for weeks. I don’t know what it is, but the Lord bids me to hasten and give you your endowment before the temple is finished. Even on the Saturday before the martyrdom, Joseph responded to the governor’s demand of his surrender for a non-Mormon trial by saying, “We have ever held ourselves amenable to the law. And for myself, sir, I am ever ready to conform to and support the laws and Constitution, even at the expense of my life. The morning of Thursday, June 27, 1844, dawned hot and muggy in Carthage. During the day, one by one, Joseph sent on various errands those who were with him at Carthage Jail but charged with nothing.

As late afternoon approached, only Joseph, Hyrum, John Taylor, and Willard Richards were left in the care of the jailer and a guard that was reduced to eight men, despite the unruly activity in the town. Joseph said they would go into the cell after supper. It was here that Joseph asked Willard Richards if he would go into the cell with them. Willard and John Taylor were not charged with anything but stayed with Joseph and Hyrum just the same. Willard Richards responded by telling Joseph that he was not asked to come to Carthage with Joseph and Hyrum or go to the jail with them, but he did. He further said that if Joseph was condemned to death, he would die in his place.