Joseph-Smith-Martyrdom
Statues of Joseph and Hyrum Smith stand outside the Carthage Jail, in Carthage, Illinois, June 26, 2002. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company.
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By Scott Taylor, Church News
The 179th anniversary of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith makes for a timely review of President M. Russell Ballard’s recent teachings of the Restoration of the gospel and Church of Jesus Christ, as well as the martyrdom at Carthage Jail.
President Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke about his great-great grandfather and the Prophet Joseph Smith on Thursday, June 22, on the opening day of the 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders, held at the Provo Missionary Training Center.
“All who know of the great and eternal principles for which Joseph and Hyrum gave their lives surely must stand with reverence at their courageous faith and are inspired by the testimony of truth they sealed with their precious blood,” said President Ballard.
The Prophet and his brother were killed by a mob in Carthage, Illinois, on June 27, 1844.
However, the Restoration is about more than the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum. President Ballard recounted that Joseph translated the Book of Mormon, received priesthood keys, reinstituted ordinances, organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, called missionaries, built temples, and taught “principles that are necessary to prepare a people for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
To learn more about President Ballard’s recent teachings on the Restoration and the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum, read a PDF text of his full address or a summary in the link below.
Also, a “Memorial to Joseph and Hyrum Smith” will be at the Carthage Jail historic site in Carthage, Illinois, on Tuesday, June 27, at 7 p.m., Central Time. A prelude concert by the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries will start at 6:30 p.m. The prelude and memorial will be streamed on the Nauvoo Historic Sites’ YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/live/uokhrsO-X9M.
Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company.