Silent Lesson
Come in. Get your Journal. Have a seat.
Please do not speak.
No words will be spoken in class today.
Please prepare your hearts and minds for
today’s tribute the great prophet Joseph
Smith
O How Lovely Was the Morning
OPENING HYMN: Please turn to hymn #26
and silently read the words.
OPENING PRAYER: After you are done
reading, please have a personal prayer to
begin today’s study
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsL2rOEp7VM
The Nauvoo
Expositor
The Nauvoo Expositor was a local
newspaper that published an article about
the Prophet Joseph Smith; its wording led
to the formation of a mob who sought the
life of Joseph Smith.
Here are some excerpts from what was
published just a few weeks before the
martyrdom….
“In addition to opposing slavery, Joseph Smith
is one of the blackest scoundrels in human
existence . . . spreading death, devastation and ruin
like a tornado.
“He is a liar.…Our blood boils while we refer to
him and his blood-thirsty and murdering ways. He
is a demon in human shape, practicing dupes upon
a superstitious people. He seeks to wreak
vengeance upon any who come in contact with
him…
The Night Before the Martrydom:
The song “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief” was sung twice by
Willard Richards (he weighed 300 lbs but surprisingly is not
related to Brother Richards).
A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief
·What do you think the Prophet was feeling at
this moment?
·What did Joseph’s friends feel?
·What do you think Joseph Smith's family
might have been thinking during this time?
Use this audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFv9vxik0r8
Please read (and mark phrases in)
Doctrine & Covenants 135:1-2
June 27th
Carthage Jail
June 27th
Carthage Jail
Carthage Jail
Bullet hole from the shot that
killed Hyrum
This is where Hyrum Smith lay after the bullet
penetrating the door hit him in the face.
Carthage Jail
Willard Richards stood behind the door and tried to
ward off the attackers with a cane.
John Taylor crawled under the bed after being
wounded.
The Prophet fell from the second story window and
landed by the well—having been shot 4 times.
The Prophet’s body laid lifeless at this well before the
mob was chased off by the Saints.
Please read (and mark phrases in)
Doctrine & Covenants 135:4
(read the first 2 sentences – until ‘yes, for so it was’)
Please read (and mark phrases in)
Doctrine & Covenants 135:3
Reaction of Others Not There
Louisa Barnes Pratt said that at the time of the
martyrdom, dogs barked, cows bellowed, and a
depressed gloomy spirit set around. Women
began to cry all at once. It wasn’t until hours later
that they heard the Prophet had been killed.
Reaction of Others Not There
Wilford Woodruff and Brigham Young were at
the railroad station at the time of the
assassination. Brigham all at once became very
sorrowful and depressed, not knowing the cause.
Brigham said to Wilford, ‘This time, Satan has
struck the heaviest blow since the Son of God was
crucified.’
VIDEO
Joseph Smith: Prophet of the
Restoration
(13mins)
https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-07-117-joseph-smith-prophet-of-therestoration?category=doctrine-and-covenants/section-120-church-history&lang=eng
Joseph Smith: Prophet of the
Restoration
https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-07-117-joseph-smith-prophet-of-therestoration?category=doctrine-and-covenants/section-120-church-history&lang=eng
Please read (and mark phrases in)
Doctrine & Covenants 135:6
Write in your Journal….
(you’ll have about 5-8mins)
 What feelings did you have today about the Prophet Joseph?
 How is your life different because of the Prophet Joseph
Smith?
 Which of the Prophet's characteristics do you most admire?
 What has helped you feel or know that Joseph Smith is a
prophet of God?
Play this audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2xeNI89ECg
Testimonies
 We’ve enjoyed 45mins without words, but wewill now
open our mouths. The next several minutes will be
used to share testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
 We would like several people to share a brief testimony
of the Prophet Joseph; consider sharing something you
just wrote from your journal.
 Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration (Church History DVD, Disc 2 #5)
Closing Prayer
 Please have a personal closing prayer ….
Tomorrow: Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration
(D&C Church History DVD, Disc 3) 62mins