PROVO — Mormon Apostle David W. Patten lay dying from gunshot wounds. Church elders tried to give him a blessing, but he pushed their hands away as he declared his last words and testimony, "I see angels."
Susan Easton Black, a BYU professor of church history and doctrine, spoke at BYU's Campus Education Week about the events leading to the jailing of the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith Jr.
The Battle of Crooked Creek between Mormon militia and Missouri militia was on Oct. 25, 1838. Elder Patten of the Quorum of the Twelve was dead, but the leadership of the LDS Church, including Joseph Smith, were still running the church.
Two days after the battle, Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs issued his infamous extermination order. Only three days later, the Mormon settlement of Haun's Mill was attacked and about two dozen people were killed.
The next day was Oct. 31. "On … Halloween, who should I dress as to be really scary?" said Black. " Lilburn W. Boggs or a member of the militia that is now surrounding Far West?"
The head of the Mormon militia, George Hinkle, cut a deal to deliver LDS leaders to the Missourians if they didn't attack Far West. Hinkle convinced Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Hyrum Smith, Parley P. Pratt and others to come to meet with Major General Samuel D. Lucas to discuss the standoff.
The truce was a ruse and Hinkle announced to Lucas, "General, here are your prisoners." "(Joseph Smith) gives George Hinkle a new name … Judas Iscariot Hinkle," Black said.
That night the Missouri militia howled like wolves and shot off their guns. Joseph's father believed the gunshots were his sons, Joseph and Hyrum being executed.
A military court martial was convened — without the accused even being present and without anyone to argue in their behalf. Among those at the court-martial were 23 preachers, Black said.
"One of my most favorite heroes in our history of the church (is) Alexander Doniphan," Black said.
Black said Doniphan was famous as a defense attorney for his theatrical and successful courtroom tactics. He had an odd quirk of taking to his bed until something offended his sense of justice. This happened when he was given a promotion in the militia and asked to enforce the extermination order. "At this point Doniphan is reported to throw off the covers — something like a Bruce Willis — jump out of bed and announce that the day of extermination is over," Black said.
When he arrived in Far West, he saw the sham court-martial and went out to Joseph Smith to get his permission to represent him. It was the first time they met. Doniphan failed. Lucas ordered Doniphan to carry out the decision: Execute the prisoners in the town square the next morning.
Doniphan refused and threatened to hold Lucas responsible in a court of law. Lucas knew of Doniphan's courtroom reputation. "For Lucas, he is not afraid of Joseph Smith or any Mormon," Black said, "but he is really afraid of Doniphan."
So Lucas decided to drag the prisoners around and show them off — hoping to get some political capital in his campaign for governor. His plan backfired when he allowed Joseph Smith to preach to a crowd in Independence. Joseph Smith laid out all the sufferings he had been through for following Jesus Christ — including tar and feathering, mobbings, attacks, and so forth. Then he ended with a zinger. He said the worst treatment he ever received was at the hands of General Samuel Lucas.
Lucas said that is where his political career ended.
At Independence, Joseph Smith had many visitors and gifts of food brought to him by sympathetic citizens.
A higher-ranked general, however, had his own plans, Black said. General Clark was now at Far West. He dismissed the truce Lucas had agreed to and destroyed the town. He then demanded the prisoners — threatening to destroy Independence if Lucas refused.
Lucas was happy to get rid of them by this point and told Clark he would gladly deliver them to Clark's hometown of Richmond. "In other words, what is he really saying: 'Please, let me help you. Like Joseph destroyed my political career, let me give you those prisoners so they can destroy yours," Black said.
For three weeks in November the prisoners were chained together. There are no accounts of visitors. The conditions were difficult.
It was in this jail that Joseph Smith stood up and rebuked the guards for their vile talk and boasting about how they had abused the Mormons. Black said the guards quaked in fear.
The next day, former Mormon Apostle, William E. McLellin came by and asked permission to fight the prophet. The jailer said it was fine, if Joseph Smith could have his chains removed. McLellin came back later with a club, but the jailer would only agree to a fair fight.
To comfort himself, McLellin went and robbed Joseph Smith's home.
The hearing did not go well. The judge, Austin A. King, had already made his decision. Doniphan believed angels could not have changed the judge's mind.
The worst part for Joseph Smith was seeing former friends testify against him, including Orson Hyde, David Whitmer and W.W. Phelps.
Some of the prisoners remained in Richmond. Joseph Smith and other higher leaders were sent to Liberty Jail.
Eventually Joseph and Hyrum Smith escaped. Black said Rigdon went to trial but was acquitted.
Doniphan sent a bill to Joseph Smith for legal services amounting to $5,000. Newel K. Whitney was given the task of arranging payment. Whitney told Joseph Smith that he had arranged for Doniphan to take possession of some of the Mormons' land in Missouri. Joseph advised Doniphan to not take the deal — because the lands would not profit him.
Destruction during the civil war devastated the property.
Gen. Clark and Judge King both eventually became governors of Missouri.
"I know that Joseph Smith was a great prophet of God. I know that he suffered much," Black said. "Truly the Lord answered this prophet and he was able to escape from the incarceration he had experienced in the state of Missouri."
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