Three Awesome Stories of the Prophet Joseph Smith

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The life of Joseph Smith Jr. is full of fun, exciting stories. Joseph lived a full life in his short 38 years. When God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ came to speak with Joseph in the grove of trees near his home in Palmyra New York, this even opened up the world to know who Joseph Smith was. He was scrutinized every day by member and non member alike, people always trying to discover if Joseph Smith was really a Prophet of God. Joseph had an incredibly hard job of being a normal person, called of God and living up to the requirements of God for him. Joseph lived and taught by example, while trying to figure it all out. Here are three stories from the life of Joseph Smith, giving insight into the type of man he was.

Missouri Men Came for Joseph in his Parents Home

Trouble began for the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints even before the Prophet Joseph Smith had moved to Missouri himself. Not long after he arrived in Missouri Joseph was visiting his parents at their home, writing a letter, when a group of armed men came to the door. Joseph's mother, Lucy answered the door. Lucy believed the men were there for some refreshment, she offered them chairs but they replied 'We do not choose to sit down; we have come here to kill Joseph Smith and all the Mormons.'" Lucy asked why they intended to kill Joseph and they told her he had killed seven of their men and they had orders to kill Joseph.

Lucy Mack Smith was extremely brave and had a lot of attitude she asked the men if they intended to kill her as well, and they answered in the affirmative. Lucy said "Very well,. . . I want you to act like the gentleman about it, and do the job quick. Just shoot me down at once, then I shall be at rest; but I should not like to be murdered by inches."

By this time Joseph had finished his letter and Lucy said to the men "Gentlemen, suffer me to make you acquainted with Joseph Smith, The Prophet." Joseph stepped forward and shook their hands and seated himself again. Joseph began to teach the men, who had come to kill him. Joseph taught them about some of the basic view of the Church and proclaimed his innocence. When he was done, he stood and said to him mother "Mother, I believe I will go home now- Emma will be expecting me."

As Joseph rose to leave, two of the armed men jumped up and offered to escort Joseph to his home. Lucy overheard the men, as they were leaving, speak of the power they felt when they shook Joseph's hand. These same men also resolved to never again seek to harm the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith Stopped a Runaway Stagecoach

Joseph Smith worked hard to get the United States to recognize the plight of the Saints from their struggles in Missouri. Joseph, along with three men: Sidney Rigdon, Elias Higbee and Dr. Robert D. Foster journeyed to the Nations Capital to try to help the struggling Saints. Sidney Rigdon became ill and he and Dr. Foster stayed back to nurse his illness. Joseph and Elias Higbee continued on together to Washington DC.

Not long after boarding the stagecoach, Joseph and Elias realized who one of the other passengers was, a Missouri Congressmen. It was no doubt an unnerving realization, but thankfully he did not recognize them. In fact, according to a letter they sent back to Hyram Smith, this Congressman from Missouri was “…drunk but once, and that however was most of the time.”

It is from Dr. Foster’s record that we get the following dramatic account of what happened on the next leg of Joseph and Elias’ journey:

“…at the top of the mountain called Cumberland Ridge, the driver left the stage and his four horses drinking at the trough in the road, while he went into the tavern to take what is very common to stage drivers, a glass of spirits. While he was gone the horses took fright and ran away with the coach and passengers. There was also in the coach a lady with a small child, who was terribly frightened. Some of the passengers leaped from the coach, but in doing so none escaped more or less injury, as the horses were running at a fearful speed, and it was down the side of a very steep mountain.

The woman was about to throw out the child, and said she intended to jump out herself, as she felt sure all would be dashed to pieces that remained, as there was quite a curve in the road, and on one side the mountain loomed up hundreds of feet above the horses, and the other side was a deep chasm or ravine, and the road only a very narrow cut on the side of the mountain, about midway between the highest and lowest parts. At the time the lady was going to throw out the child, Joseph Smith . . . caught the woman and very imperiously told her to sit down; and that not a hair of her head or any one on the coach should be hurt. He did this in such confident manner that all on board seemed spell-bound; and after admonishing and encouraging the passengers he pushed open one of the doors, caught by the railing around the driver’s seat with one hand, and with a spring and a bound he was in the seat of the driver.

The lines were all coiled around the rail above, to hold them from falling while the driver was away; he loosened them, took them in his hands, and although those horses were running at their utmost speed, he, with more than herculean strength, brought them down to a moderate canter, a trot, a walk, and at the foot of Cumberland Ridge to a halt, without the least accident or injury to passenger, horse or coach, and the horses appeared as quiet and easy afterward as though they had never run away."

The truth of the details beyond that Joseph bravely stepped out of the moving stagecoach and brought it to a stop, saving a woman and child, is hard to know for certain. There is even some disputation about the presence of the Missouri congressman, but it is in Elias’ letter that he is mentioned so there’s a good chance that his life was among those saved by Joseph Smith’s willingness to act quickly and put himself at risk for the safety of others (even the safety of someone who may have wronged he and the Saints).

The only problem is, as before mentioned, Robert Foster wasn’t with them on the last leg of the journey to the nation’s capital. So, where did he get such details to this story? Not only was a letter of appreciation published in the local paper, Elias Higbee (who did personally witness the event) made mention of the incident in a letter, giving this much more sparse account of what happened:

"The horses ran away with the stage; they ran about three miles; Brother Joseph climbed out of the stage, got the lines, and stopped the horses, and also saved the life of a lady and child. He was highly commended by the whole company for his great exertions and presence of mind through the whole affair. Elias Higbee [who was the reporter of this event, said of himself that he] jumped out of the stage at a favorable moment, just before they [stopped], with a view to assist in stopping them, and was but slightly injured. We were not known to the stage company until after our arrival."

Joseph Knew

This last story comes from the Family Search Memories of the Ira Stearns Hatch. Ira's wife, Weltha was converted to the gospel after hearing the missionaries Elder Oliver Cowdery, Peter Whitmer Jr., Zeta Peterson and Parley P. Pratt teach. Weltha was baptized during the winter of 1832 in a hole in the ice being one of the first persons in the neighboring community to become a member of this unpopular faith.

"About this time construction of the Kirtland temple had started. Ira though not a member of the church and Weltha decided to make a contribution to its construction. Ira was very anxious to meet the prophet, Joseph Smith and feel the spirit of the man. Upon arriving at Kirtland, Ira enquired for the prophet. He was told he could be found in the grove where they were cutting timber for the temple. Ira made his way to the grove. As he approached the workmen one of them struck his axe into a tree and came toward him. When close enough, he shook the hand of Ira and said, “Brother Hatch, I have been expecting you for 3 days: The money which you have brought will be used to help build the pulpit in the temple. ”

This left Ira with no chance for doubt that Joseph Smith was indeed a true prophet. Ira’s testimony of the prophet remained Steadfast the remainder of his life."

Ira joined the church 2 years later, 8134. Ira and Weltha were given patriarchal blessings by Joseph Smith Sr. Later he and his elder sons assisted in the building of the Kirtland temple.

References:

"Emmas life in pictures" p. 89
latterdaysaintmag.com Hidden Things: When Joseph Smith Took Control of a Runaway Stagecoach, Saving Everyone Onboard

https://latterdaysaintmag.com/hidden-things-when-joseph-smith-took-control-of-a-runaway-stagecoach-saving-everyone-onboard

Family Search Document: Blog post "Family Search