Remembering The Martyrdom

[Scott Lloyd]

I won't have a lot of spare time next week, so I'll start this thread now.

 

As we approach the anniversary date of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum on June 27, 1844, my thoughts turn to the sacrifice, dedication, wisdom, character, compassion and greatness of Joseph Smith the Prophet.

 

For our ward choir performance a week from Sunday, I have done an arrangement combining two of our hymns: "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" and "Praise to the Man."

 

I set "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" to the tune of "Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah," but it will not be sung in the forceful and majestic way we are used to hearing it. Rather, it will be soft and contemplative, with the men shifting to a minor-key variation on the melody for the line "When the powers of sin assailing filled his soul with deep dispair," and the full choir emerging back into the major key in harmony as the piece continues with "But undaunted, still, he trusted in his Heavenly Father's care."

 

After all four verses, the piece will segue into the first verse of "Praise to the Man," but sung to the tune of "Now Let Us Rejoice." After that verse, the piece ends with the choir singing in unison a line from one of the other verses, "And millions shall know 'Brother Joseph' again!"

 

I hope and expect it will be effective, though I won't be there to direct it. I'll be traveling in the east with the Tabernacle Choir (not as a singer, but as an observer and journalist).

 

I like the standard melodies of these hymns, but I believe that occasionally putting hymn texts to different but appropriate musical settings can direct the mind to ponder anew the message of the words.

 

This week, it was my privilege to be voice for the publication as I wrote a Church News editorial on the martyrdom. I'll come back to this post and add a link after it goes online.

Edited June 19, 2015 by Scott Lloyd

[theplains]

D&C records, "Hyrum Smith was forty-four years old in February, 1844, and Joseph Smith was

thirty-eight in December, 1843; ... and that if the fire can scathe a green tree for the glory of God,

how easy it will burn up the dry trees to purify the vineyard of corruption ...".

 

What does that mean?

 

Thanks,

Jim

 

 

[Duncan]

D&C records, "Hyrum Smith was forty-four years old in February, 1844, and Joseph Smith was

thirty-eight in December, 1843; ... and that if the fire can scathe a green tree for the glory of God,

how easy it will burn up the dry trees to purify the vineyard of corruption ...".

 

What does that mean?

 

Thanks,

Jim

 

 

Only you can prevent forest fires. Something that blows my mind is that we still aren't that far removed from the restoration, as Pres. Joseph F. Smith granddaughter is still alive

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_S._Jacobsen

 

she would have shaken hands with her Grandpa who met Joseph and Hyrum

[JLHPROF]

D&C records, "Hyrum Smith was forty-four years old in February, 1844, and Joseph Smith was

thirty-eight in December, 1843; ... and that if the fire can scathe a green tree for the glory of God,

how easy it will burn up the dry trees to purify the vineyard of corruption ..."

 

To me it might mean that if persecution can touch people with the faith and understanding of the prophet and patriarch, how easily will we who are less strong in the faith.

Either that or it has direct reference to their being taken in youth as opposed to older men.

Or both.

[JLHPROF]

I won't have a lot of spare time next week, so I'll start this thread now.

 

As we approach the anniversary date of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum on June 27, 1844, my thoughts turn to the sacrifice, dedication, wisdom, character, compassion and greatness of Joseph Smith the Prophet.

 

For our ward choir performance a week from Sunday, I have done an arrangement combining two of our hymns: "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" and "Praise to the Man."

 

I set "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" to the tune of "Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah," but it will not be sung in the forceful and majestic way we are used to hearing it. Rather, it will be soft and contemplative, with the men shifting to a minor-key variation on the melody for the line "When the powers of sin assailing filled his soul with deep dispair," and the full choir emerging back into the major key in harmony as the piece continues with "But undaunted, still, he trusted in his Heavenly Father's care."

 

After all four verses, the piece will segue into the first verse of "Praise to the Man," but sung to the tune of "Now Let Us Rejoice." After that verse, the piece ends with the choir singing in unison a line from one of the other verses, "And millions shall know 'Brother Joseph' again!"

 

I hope and expect it will be effective, though I won't be there to direct it. I'll be traveling in the east with the Tabernacle Choir (not as a singer, but as an observer and journalist).

 

I like the standard melodies of these hymns, but I believe that occasionally putting hymn texts to different but appropriate musical settings can direct the mind to ponder anew the message of the words.

 

This week, it was my privilege to be voice for the publication as I wrote a Church News editorial on the martyrdom. I'll come back to this post and add a link after it goes online.

 

If you are of the mind to add a non-hymn to the program (and I don't necessarily think it should be since I find Praise to the Man one of the greatest hymns) it is hard to do better than "The Last Farewell - Jeff Goodrich" or "Brothers - Kenneth Cope".

[Scott Lloyd]

If you are of the mind to add a non-hymn to the program (and I don't necessarily think it should be since I find Praise to the Man one of the greatest hymns) it is hard to do better than "The Last Farewell - Jeff Goodrich" or "Brothers - Kenneth Cope".

Thanks for the suggestion. Too late for this year, but I'll consider it for next.

[The Nehor]

D&C records, "Hyrum Smith was forty-four years old in February, 1844, and Joseph Smith was

thirty-eight in December, 1843; ... and that if the fire can scathe a green tree for the glory of God,

how easy it will burn up the dry trees to purify the vineyard of corruption ...".

 

What does that mean?

 

Thanks,

Jim

That if God can use the death of greenery to purify this world then the spiritually dead will burn easily to cleanse the earth.

[Avatar4321]

Not using a poor wayfaring man of grief?

Just saying that title brings the Spirit.

It's the martyrdom that gave me my testimony. And I've seen the Spirit influence people just by sharing it

[Sevenbak]

I won't have a lot of spare time next week, so I'll start this thread now.

 

As we approach the anniversary date of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum on June 27, 1844, my thoughts turn to the sacrifice, dedication, wisdom, character, compassion and greatness of Joseph Smith the Prophet.

 

For our ward choir performance a week from Sunday, I have done an arrangement combining two of our hymns: "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" and "Praise to the Man."

 

I set "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" to the tune of "Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah," but it will not be sung in the forceful and majestic way we are used to hearing it. Rather, it will be soft and contemplative, with the men shifting to a minor-key variation on the melody for the line "When the powers of sin assailing filled his soul with deep dispair," and the full choir emerging back into the major key in harmony as the piece continues with "But undaunted, still, he trusted in his Heavenly Father's care."

 

After all four verses, the piece will segue into the first verse of "Praise to the Man," but sung to the tune of "Now Let Us Rejoice." After that verse, the piece ends with the choir singing in unison a line from one of the other verses, "And millions shall know 'Brother Joseph' again!"

 

I hope and expect it will be effective, though I won't be there to direct it. I'll be traveling in the east with the Tabernacle Choir (not as a singer, but as an observer and journalist).

 

I like the standard melodies of these hymns, but I believe that occasionally putting hymn texts to different but appropriate musical settings can direct the mind to ponder anew the message of the words.

 

This week, it was my privilege to be voice for the publication as I wrote a Church News editorial on the martyrdom. I'll come back to this post and add a link after it goes online.

Thanks Scott.  I was just in Carthage 10 days ago, and wished I could be there for next week's events.  I had my family with me this time, and having never been there before, they mentioned how much they were struck by the spirit of the place and the events and testimonies that were sealed there.   

[Five Solas]

I've long thought the word martyr isn't right for the circumstance of Joseph and Hyrum Smith's killing.  That word brings to mind early Christian martyrs who refused to deny their faith, or of William Tyndale during the Reformation.  And to use that word for Joseph Smith--it seems to me to be a disservice to history because it disregards what he did that so infuriated his fellow citizens (e.g., trampling on the Bill of Rights, freedom of the press) and it pretends he died for some noble cause (which isn't how most Americans would characterize polygamy, then or now).         

 

The right word for it would be lynched.  Per dictionary.com, to put to death, especially by hanging, by mob action and without legal authority.

 

And that's exactly what happened, sans the noose.  Would it be too much to ask that we start using that word instead--out of fairness to the historical record and the motives of all involved? 

 

--Erik

 

[Russell C McGregor]

I've long thought the word martyr isn't right for the circumstance of Joseph and Hyrum Smith's killing.  That word brings to mind early Christian martyrs who refused to deny their faith, or of William Tyndale during the Reformation.  And to use that word for Joseph Smith--it seems to me to be a disservice to history because it disregards what he did that so infuriated his fellow citizens (e.g., trampling on the Bill of Rights, freedom of the press) and it pretends he died for some noble cause (which isn't how most Americans would characterize polygamy, then or now).         

 

The right word for it would be lynched.  Per dictionary.com, to put to death, especially by hanging, by mob action and without legal authority.

 

And that's exactly what happened, sans the noose.  Would it be too much to ask that we start using that word instead--out of fairness to the historical record and the motives of all involved? 

 

--Erik

Abraham Lincoln not only suppressed newspapers, he locked up their editors without due process, and suspended habeas corpus.

Does anyone really believe the mob would have gone after Joseph had he been anything other than the leader of the "Mormons?"

I don't.

Could he have escaped his fate by renouncing his religious claims?

Not when the good Christians of Carthage and Warsaw showed up with their faces already blacked; but before? I rather think he could have.

Would it be too much to ask those who resent the Church's description of Joseph and Hyrum's murders as martyrdom to accept the fact that we are going to keep using it?

Out of fairness to the historical record and the motives of all involved?

[JAHS]

I've long thought the word martyr isn't right for the circumstance of Joseph and Hyrum Smith's killing.  That word brings to mind early Christian martyrs who refused to deny their faith, or of William Tyndale during the Reformation.  And to use that word for Joseph Smith--it seems to me to be a disservice to history because it disregards what he did that so infuriated his fellow citizens (e.g., trampling on the Bill of Rights, freedom of the press) and it pretends he died for some noble cause (which isn't how most Americans would characterize polygamy, then or now).         

 

The right word for it would be lynched.  Per dictionary.com, to put to death, especially by hanging, by mob action and without legal authority.

 

And that's exactly what happened, sans the noose.  Would it be too much to ask that we start using that word instead--out of fairness to the historical record and the motives of all involved? 

 

--Erik

 

Dictionary definition of Martyr: "A person who is killed or who suffers greatly for a religion, cause, etc."

 

What part of that does not fit Joseph Smith?  He most certainly at least suffered during his life for his religion if not being murdered for it.

[Five Solas]

Abraham Lincoln not only suppressed newspapers, he locked up their editors without due process, and suspended habeas corpus.

Does anyone really believe the mob would have gone after Joseph had he been anything other than the leader of the "Mormons?"

I don't.

Could he have escaped his fate by renouncing his religious claims?

Not when the good Christians of Carthage and Warsaw showed up with their faces already blacked; but before? I rather think he could have.

Would it be too much to ask those who resent the Church's description of Joseph and Hyrum's murders as martyrdom to accept the fact that we are going to keep using it?

Out of fairness to the historical record and the motives of all involved?

I don't recall ever reading about the "martyrdom" of Abraham Lincoln, Russell.  Of course, I only went to public schools...

;0)

 

As for the rest--I think Joseph Smith's non-Mormon fellow citizens were a lot less concerned with his theology than they were with his deeds, including destruction of a private printing press.  But maybe I just have a simple view of human nature.

 

--Erik 

[JAHS]

I don't recall ever reading about the "martyrdom" of Abraham Lincoln, Russell.  Of course, I only went to public schools...

;0)

 

As for the rest--I think Joseph Smith's non-Mormon fellow citizens were a lot less concerned with his theology than they were with his deeds, including destruction of a private printing press.  But maybe I just have a simple view of human nature.

 

--Erik 

 

Here's someone with a different opinion about Lincoln at the time of his death. Many others felt the same.

 

Is President Lincoln a Martyr?

http://www.nytimes.com/1865/04/26/news/is-president-lincoln-a-martyr.html

[Sevenbak]

Dictionary definition of Martyr: "A person who is killed or who suffers greatly for a religion, cause, etc."

 

What part of that does not fit Joseph Smith?  He most certainly at least suffered during his life for his religion if not being murdered for it.

 

Webster has 3 definitions of a Martyr.  Everyone of them apply to Joseph.

 

1. a person who willingly suffers death rather than renounce his or her religion.; 2. A person who is put to death or suffers on behalf of a cause.; 3. A person who undergoes severe or constant suffering.

 

 

And I like the way that Elder B.H. Roberts comments about his death.  To me, it sums it up pretty completely.

 

"It was self-surrender that Joseph Smith made to certain death. He was clean escaped out of the hands of his enemies. He had crossed the Mississippi from Nauvoo and was surrounded by trusted men who were aiding his departure for the west. One more day would have seen him at the head of a small company of men in the wilderness of Iowa en route for the Rocky Mountains. Then came the pleading of some mistaken and some false friends that he submit to the demands of Governor Ford and trust to his promises of protection, and not play the part of the false shepherd who leaves the flock when attacked by wolves. This was more than Joseph's spirit could endure, and hence he recrossed the river, against his better judgment, and with absolute conviction that he would be killed, went to Carthage and among a host of publicly and repeatedly avowed enemies, pledged to encompass his death, surrendered to the requirements of the officers of the law. At Nauvoo, eighteen miles away, he had left a body of between three and four thousand men, the best body of militia in the state of Illinois, with arms and other equipments for war. And yet the Smith brothers voluntarily placed themselves in the hands of the officers. No self-surrender, with every means for successful resistance, could have been more complete; and in fulfillment of the requirements of the governor, the Brothers Smith went to Carthage unarmed. The matter of their having one six-barrelled and one single-barrelled pistol with them when assailed was because friends on parting from them left these fire arms with them as stated in a former chapter, under circumstances alike honorable and justifiable. These arms offered but a meager defense against the overwhelming odds of the assailants; nor did the Prophet use the pistol left with him until he had seen his brother shot to death from his side--not until he had looked into the dead face of that brother, calm but bullet-torn, did the war spirit native to his race--his revolutionary ancestry--rise within him and impel him to the conflict at the door where muskets were belching fire and death, where he stood for one splendid moment as some avenging spirit returning the fire of the mob. Much less or far more than mortal man must he have been not to have done what he did. And what he did in that supreme moment of trial and death, does not depreciate him in the esteem of Christian men, nor make him less a martyr to the mission given him of God. President McKinley's and Roosevelt's United States secretary of state, John Hay, was right when he said Joseph Smith put up a "handsome fight" in the prison; but it in no way detracts from the solemn fact of his martyrdom, and emphasizes the glory of his manhood." (Comprehensive History of the Church, Vol.2, Ch.59, p.316 - p.317)

Edited June 21, 2015 by Sevenbak

[JAHS]

Webster has 3 definitions of a Martyr.  Everyone of them apply to Joseph.

 

1. a person who willingly suffers death rather than renounce his or her religion.; 2. A person who is put to death or suffers on behalf of a cause.; 3. A person who undergoes severe or constant suffering.

 

 

And I like the way that Elder B.H. Roberts comments about his death.  To me, it sums it up pretty completely.

 

"It was self-surrender that Joseph Smith made to certain death. He was clean escaped out of the hands of his enemies. He had crossed the Mississippi from Nauvoo and was surrounded by trusted men who were aiding his departure for the west. One more day would have seen him at the head of a small company of men in the wilderness of Iowa en route for the Rocky Mountains. Then came the pleading of some mistaken and some false friends that he submit to the demands of Governor Ford and trust to his promises of protection, and not play the part of the false shepherd who leaves the flock when attacked by wolves. This was more than Joseph's spirit could endure, and hence he recrossed the river, against his better judgment, and with absolute conviction that he would be killed, went to Carthage and among a host of publicly and repeatedly avowed enemies, pledged to encompass his death, surrendered to the requirements of the officers of the law. At Nauvoo, eighteen miles away, he had left a body of between three and four thousand men, the best body of militia in the state of Illinois, with arms and other equipments for war. And yet the Smith brothers voluntarily placed themselves in the hands of the officers. No self-surrender, with every means for successful resistance, could have been more complete; and in fulfillment of the requirements of the governor, the Brothers Smith went to Carthage unarmed. The matter of their having one six-barrelled and one single-barrelled pistol with them when assailed was because friends on parting from them left these fire arms with them as stated in a former chapter, under circumstances alike honorable and justifiable. These arms offered but a meager defense against the overwhelming odds of the assailants; nor did the Prophet use the pistol left with him until he had seen his brother shot to death from his side--not until he had looked into the dead face of that brother, calm but bullet-torn, did the war spirit native to his race--his revolutionary ancestry--rise within him and impel him to the conflict at the door where muskets were belching fire and death, where he stood for one splendid moment as some avenging spirit returning the fire of the mob. Much less or far more than mortal man must he have been not to have done what he did. And what he did in that supreme moment of trial and death, does not depreciate him in the esteem of Christian men, nor make him less a martyr to the mission given him of God. President McKinley's and Roosevelt's United States secretary of state, John Hay, was right when he said Joseph Smith put up a "handsome fight" in the prison; but it in no way detracts from the solemn fact of his martyrdom, and emphasizes the glory of his manhood." (Comprehensive History of the Church, Vol.2, Ch.59, p.316 - p.317)

 

I think many people like to add to the definition of martyr as someone who is told to renounce his religion or be killed. Noone said to Joseph, "Renounce your religion or I will kill you!"  

But of course such a command didn't need to be given. Joseph could have simply given it all up on his own and not suffer and be killed for it, but he didn't give it up.

[Duncan]

I don't recall ever reading about the "martyrdom" of Abraham Lincoln, Russell.  Of course, I only went to public schools...

;0)

 

As for the rest--I think Joseph Smith's non-Mormon fellow citizens were a lot less concerned with his theology than they were with his deeds, including destruction of a private printing press.  But maybe I just have a simple view of human nature.

 

--Erik 

 

 

I hear what you are saying but it sounds like the word has a broad meaning, maybe there are different kinds of martyr's?

[Five Solas]

Here's someone with a different opinion about Lincoln at the time of his death. Many others felt the same.

 

Is President Lincoln a Martyr?

http://www.nytimes.com/1865/04/26/news/is-president-lincoln-a-martyr.html

No disrespect for Lincoln or his work--he was a great President (some say our greatest) to be sure.  But school texts (at least the ones used in public schools where I attended) refer to it as an "assassination," not a "martyrdom"--and I've never heard anyone call for re-write in favor of the latter.  I'm still wondering why Russell thinks it has bearing on the matter of Joseph Smith's lynching. 

 

--Erik

[Russell C McGregor]

I don't recall ever reading about the "martyrdom" of Abraham Lincoln, Russell.  Of course, I only went to public schools...

I never said anything about Lincoln being martyred. I merely pointed out that he did far worse that Joseph, and "Christian" Americans don't vilify him to this day.

What's the difference between them, Five?

One possible difference is that they don't have a "theological" gripe with him.

What say you?

As for the rest--I think Joseph Smith's non-Mormon fellow citizens were a lot less concerned with his theology than they were with his deeds, including destruction of a private printing press.  But maybe I just have a simple view of human nature.

 

--Erik

My even simpler view of human nature suggests that people don't start large-scale conspiracies to murder someone who broke someone else's property -- and then paid the fine.

Not unless they have some other motivation.

Can you think what that might be?

[Five Solas]

I never said anything about Lincoln being martyred. I merely pointed out that he did far worse that Joseph, and "Christian" Americans don't vilify him to this day.

What's the difference between them, Five?

One possible difference is that they don't have a "theological" gripe with him.

What say you?

My even simpler view of human nature suggests that people don't start large-scale conspiracies to murder someone who broke someone else's property -- and then paid the fine.

Not unless they have some other motivation.

Can you think what that might be?

Well, I have to admit you have novelty on your side, Russell.  Until now, I've never seen an LDS Church proponent throw Abraham Lincoln under the bus in defense of Joseph Smith.  Maybe the answer to your question is people take a more holistic view of Lincoln than you've put forth here. 

;0)

 

Regarding the second part, I'm curious about that.  How much was the fine and to whom was it paid? 

 

--Erik

[Calm]

NonAmerican LDS are less likely to hero-worship Lincoln, this should hardly be surprising.

[Scott Lloyd]

I won't have a lot of spare time next week, so I'll start this thread now.

 

As we approach the anniversary date of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum on June 27, 1844, my thoughts turn to the sacrifice, dedication, wisdom, character, compassion and greatness of Joseph Smith the Prophet.

 

For our ward choir performance a week from Sunday, I have done an arrangement combining two of our hymns: "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" and "Praise to the Man."

 

I set "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" to the tune of "Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah," but it will not be sung in the forceful and majestic way we are used to hearing it. Rather, it will be soft and contemplative, with the men shifting to a minor-key variation on the melody for the line "When the powers of sin assailing filled his soul with deep dispair," and the full choir emerging back into the major key in harmony as the piece continues with "But undaunted, still, he trusted in his Heavenly Father's care."

 

After all four verses, the piece will segue into the first verse of "Praise to the Man," but sung to the tune of "Now Let Us Rejoice." After that verse, the piece ends with the choir singing in unison a line from one of the other verses, "And millions shall know 'Brother Joseph' again!"

 

I hope and expect it will be effective, though I won't be there to direct it. I'll be traveling in the east with the Tabernacle Choir (not as a singer, but as an observer and journalist).

 

I like the standard melodies of these hymns, but I believe that occasionally putting hymn texts to different but appropriate musical settings can direct the mind to ponder anew the message of the words.

 

This week, it was my privilege to be voice for the publication as I wrote a Church News editorial on the martyrdom. I'll come back to this post and add a link after it goes online.

As promised, here is the link to the editorial I wrote.

 

Notice how I participate in the conspiracy to hide in plain sight the fact of the Prophet's possession of a smuggled firearm that he used in a valiant but ineffectual effort to defend himself and his companions against the murdering mob. A conspiracy in which the Church's own Church History Museum in downtown Salt Lake City participated by hiding in plain sight on display for nearly 30 years the very firearm that Joseph used and which, I am told, will again be on display when the museum reopens this year after a year of renovation.

Edited June 22, 2015 by Scott Lloyd

[Scott Lloyd]

I've long thought the word martyr isn't right for the circumstance of Joseph and Hyrum Smith's killing.  That word brings to mind early Christian martyrs who refused to deny their faith, or of William Tyndale during the Reformation.  And to use that word for Joseph Smith--it seems to me to be a disservice to history because it disregards what he did that so infuriated his fellow citizens (e.g., trampling on the Bill of Rights, freedom of the press) and it pretends he died for some noble cause (which isn't how most Americans would characterize polygamy, then or now).         

 

The right word for it would be lynched.  Per dictionary.com, to put to death, especially by hanging, by mob action and without legal authority.

 

And that's exactly what happened, sans the noose.  Would it be too much to ask that we start using that word instead--out of fairness to the historical record and the motives of all involved? 

 

--Erik

Other martyrs have done things to infuriate their fellowcitizens; otherwise, they wouldn't have been martyred. Their refusal to renounce or deny their faith infuriated their fellowcitizens; otherwise they wouldn't have been martyred. The very existence of that faith and those principles infuriated their fellowcitizens; otherwise, they wouldn't have been martyred.

 

So yes, it is indeed too much to ask that we decline to apply the word martyr to Joseph and Hyrum, as they were in very deed martyrs according to the standard and normative definition of that word, which you yourself have cited. Lynched is arguably a correct term also, but not as a replacement for martyred. You might not like the views that they espoused that got them martyred, and, in your anti-Mormonism, may distort that cause or deny the nobility of it, but that doesn't negate the fact that the Prophet and his brother were martyred. They who killed the martyrs of old likewise denied the nobility of the causes espoused by those martyrs. That doesn't make them any the less martyrs.

 

And before someone has a chance to bring it up, let me mention that another pretext that some raise for denying that Joseph and Hyrum were martyrs is that they resisted the infliction of death. Here is what I have written previously in addressing that claim:

 

Incidentally, one of the reasons given by our antagonists in denying Joseph Smith martyr status is that the early Christian martyrs did not resist the infliction of death as did Joseph Smith.

 

Of course, I always reply that all that is necessary for a person to be a martyr is to refuse to renounce his convictions as a price for being allowed to remain alive.

 

That said, I've been reading the mutli-volume work The Ante-Nicene Fathers. Yesterday, I began to read about the martyrdom of Polycarp.

 

In short, Polycarp did not passively accept the infliction of death. Rather, he fled and hid out from his pursuers, requiring them to hunt him down and capture him after he was betrayed by a servant. Had he not been so old and frail, he might well have physically resisted his captors.

 

So, when anti-Mormons claim that Joseph can't be a martyr because he had a gun and fired back at the thugs who stormed the jail, I say: Buncomb! Joseph was in every whit a martyr. And a heroic one at that, as his resistance deflected the attack of the mob and probably was instrumental in saving the lives of Willard Richards and John Taylor who were in the room with him. HIs jumping from the bedroom window into certain death at the hands of the mobbers gathered below, caused the ones who stormed the jail to leave immediately; otherwise, Elders Taylor and Richards probably wouldn't have survived.

 

Edited to add:

 

Joan of Arc, who is widely regarded as a martyr, did not passively accept death. She resisted capture and, after being imprisoned, attempted several escapes, once jumping from a 70-foot tower and landing on the soft earth of a dry moat.

 

 

 

Edited June 22, 2015 by Scott Lloyd

[Scott Lloyd]

... e.g., trampling on the Bill of Rights, freedom of the press ....

 

The Bill of Rights does not protect libelous and incendiary publications, which is arguably what was involved in this case.

[rockpond]

I won't have a lot of spare time next week, so I'll start this thread now.

 

As we approach the anniversary date of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum on June 27, 1844, my thoughts turn to the sacrifice, dedication, wisdom, character, compassion and greatness of Joseph Smith the Prophet.

 

For our ward choir performance a week from Sunday, I have done an arrangement combining two of our hymns: "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" and "Praise to the Man."

 

I set "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" to the tune of "Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah," but it will not be sung in the forceful and majestic way we are used to hearing it. Rather, it will be soft and contemplative, with the men shifting to a minor-key variation on the melody for the line "When the powers of sin assailing filled his soul with deep dispair," and the full choir emerging back into the major key in harmony as the piece continues with "But undaunted, still, he trusted in his Heavenly Father's care."

 

After all four verses, the piece will segue into the first verse of "Praise to the Man," but sung to the tune of "Now Let Us Rejoice." After that verse, the piece ends with the choir singing in unison a line from one of the other verses, "And millions shall know 'Brother Joseph' again!"

 

I hope and expect it will be effective, though I won't be there to direct it. I'll be traveling in the east with the Tabernacle Choir (not as a singer, but as an observer and journalist).

 

I like the standard melodies of these hymns, but I believe that occasionally putting hymn texts to different but appropriate musical settings can direct the mind to ponder anew the message of the words.

 

This week, it was my privilege to be voice for the publication as I wrote a Church News editorial on the martyrdom. I'll come back to this post and add a link after it goes online.

 

Your arrangement sounds beautiful!