Our lesson today is on PERSONAL APOSTASY. Of course, by
studying this, we are also going to learn the opposite, which is even more
useful: HOW TO ENDURE FAITHFULLY TO THE END.
In June of 1831, a church conference was held in
Kirtland, Ohio. Just prior to that conference, Section 50 of the D&C was
given. The reason this revelation was given is stated right in the beginning.
First, verse one tells us that the brethren had asked for guidance from the
Lord in discerning spiritual manifestations.
“Behold, verily I say unto you,
that there are many spirits which are false spirits, which have gone forth in
the earth, deceiving the world. And also Satan hath sought to deceive you, that
he might overthrow you.” (D&C 50:2-3)
Why is Satan so interested in deceiving us?
“And because he had fallen from
heaven, and had become miserable forever, he sought also the misery of all
mankind…” (2 Nephi 2:18)
“Wherefore, men are free
according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto
man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life through the great
mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the
captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be
miserable like unto himself.” (2 Nephi 2:27)
The revelation of May 1831 told the brethren how to
choose:
“And that which doth not edify is
not of God, and is darkness. That which is of God is light; and he that
receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light
groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”
This counsel is very important in preventing apostasy,
today as well as in the 1830s. It was prophecied that Satan would deceive the
very elect if possible, and he did. Within two years after the marvelous
spiritual manifestations occurred in relation to the dedication of the Kirtland
Temple, all of the Three Witnesses, three of the Eight Witnesses, and one-third
of the General Authorities, including three Apostles, left the Church.
Interestingly, apostasy was more prevalent among the leadership than among the
“average” members. As near as can be determined, 87 percent of the Kirtland
Saints continued in the faith, including most of those who lost a lot of money
due to stock held in the Church bank, the Kirtland Safety Society. (Milton V.
Backman, Jr., Ensign, April 1989, p.
30)
We can hopefully learn from the errors of the early
church apostates, and avoid some of these problems ourselves. (Double-click on the chart to enlarge it.)
INNER ATTITUDES
Our inner attitudes are very important when it comes to
following the guidance of the Spirit, our leaders and the doctrine that we
know. Wrong attitudes can keep us from truth and freedom, and can deceive us as
surely as if we were blindfolded. All of these wrong attitudes are based upon
pride. A study of how some of the early Saints were deceived can help us see
how we can avoid those same pitfalls. (Just choose some of them.) (Information
is from Susan Easton Black, Who’s Who in
the Doctrine and Covenants, unless otherwise noted.)
Thomas B. Marsh.
The cream incident with his wife… A mountain out of a molehill. He declared
that he would “sustain the character of his wife if he had to go to hell to do
it.” President Gordon B. Hinckley said of this incident: “What a very small and trivial
thing—a little cream over which two women quarreled. But it led to, or at least
was a factor in, Governor Bogg’s cruel exterminating order…”
Joseph Wakefield.
In obedience to the revelation, went on a mission with Parley P. Pratt, wherein
they “visited the several branches of the Church, rebuking the wrong spirits
which had crept in among them, setting in order things that were wanting…”
(PPP, quoted in WW p. 324) Joseph baptized George A. Smith, who later became an
apostle. George A. Smith was very distressed when his missionary joined with
Mormon apostates in criticizing and tormenting Joseph Smith. The reason? Joseph Smith played with the children
immediately after translating. “This
convinced him that the Prophet was not a man of God, and that the work was
false, which, to me and hundreds of others, he had testified that he knew came
from God.” (George A. Smith Autobiography, quoted in WW, p. 324)
Frazier Eaton.
(Not mentioned in D&C) He had given $700 to the building of the Kirtland
Temple, but he arrived late to the dedication and couldn’t get in because every
seat was taken. He dedication was being repeated the following day for those
who couldn’t get in the first day, but Brother Eaton thought that he should get
in on Day One, and so he apostatized. (George A Smith, Journal of Discourses.)
Oliver Cowdery.
Oliver Cowdrey was with Joseph from the very first. He received the Priesthood
with him, was baptized with him, saw great and glorious visions with him, and
received the keys of the Priesthood with him from Elijah, Elias, and Moses.
Pride in his education, however, led to his downfall. He commanded Joseph Smith
in the name of God to change the words of D&C 20:37. He also said that he
told the Church leaders about his land in Jackson County, “…while I lived and was sane, I would not be dictated, influenced, or
controlled, by any man or any set of men by no tribunal of ecclesiastical
practices whatever.” At the encouragement of Brigham Young, 11 years
after leaving the Church, he finally returned.
William Carter.
Also called on a mission in D&C 52 although he was blind. He refused to go
and his priesthood was taken from him. His uncle tried to bring him back to the
faith and immediately afterwards wrote the conversation: “He said he was convinced that it
was the work of the Lord but he did not as yet feel prepared to obey the work…I…felt with my own soul
as though his situation was very dangerous for he had some time grieved the
Spirit by his disobedience and I having a sense felt to cry mightily to my
Heavenly Father for him. I, at length, felt the power of prophecy to him and
expressed to him that this was the very day he would obey the commends if
ever…Soon after this, he knelt down with me and entreated the Lord to have
mercy on him.” He did help to build the Kirtland Temple, but there is
not any information about him after that to show whether he stayed faithful.
Since there isn’t any information, I think it’s unlikely; Mormons keep much
better records than apostates.
John Whitmer.
For many years, John Whitmer was a stalwart in the Church. He was a scribe, a
historian, and a member of the First Presidency, as well as one of the Eight
Witnesses to the Book of Mormon. At one time in Jackson County, he offered
himself as a ransom to the mob to prevent further violence. He purchased land
in Far West for the saints, but there were some allegations about how he
handled the finances. He was angered
when asked to account for his use of Church funds, and declined to disclose the
records. He was excommunicated. To quote Susan Black, “John remained in Missouri during the atrocities
arising from the Extermination Order of 1838, free from persecution because [he
was no longer a Mormon]. When the Saints fled from their homes and property in
Far West, he returned and took advantage of cheap prices for land…” He
lived there the rest of his life.
Jared Carter.
The uncle of William Carter. D&C 79:2 says, “I will send upon him the
Comforter, which shall teach him the truth and the way wither he shall go.”
Although Jared Carter was a great missionary for a time, later he wavered back
and forth in church activity, joining the Danites, conspiring against the
Prophet, and not following counsel. He repented and promised faithfulness, but did not keep the promise. When the
saints went west, he stayed behind.
Selah Griffin.
He lost a lot of property to the mobs in both Jackson County and in Caldwell
County. To quote Susan Black, “Angered
by the governmental affront and by the persecution he had suffered for his
religious conviction, Selah weighed the cost and concluded that the price of
faithfulness was too great.” He gave up Church Activity for an easier life.
Outer Deceptions vs. True Outer Guide. Hiram Page
was one of the 8 witnesses to the Book of Mormon. He joined the church in 1830,
and shortly thereafter found a stone five by three inches, and one-half inch
thick with two holes in it. He thought he received some revelations by looking
through the stone. These included the location of the “New Jerusalem” and the
proper governing process of the Church. Newel Knight said, “He had quite a roll of papers
full of these revelations, and many in the Church were led astray by
them…although they were in contradiction to the New Testament and the
revelations of these last days. [The Prophet] Joseph Smith was perplexed and
scarcely knew how to meet this new exigency. That night I occupied the same
room that he did, and the greater part of the night was spent in prayer and
supplication.” As a result, D&C 28 was received, which states that
only the prophet has the keys to revelation for the entire church. In that
revelation, Oliver Cowdery (one of those who had been deceived) was told to
advise Hiram that the source of his revelations was false. Hiram Page and those
who had followed him took that counsel and renounced the stone and its
revelations. Elder Knight commented on the situation that “…it was wonderful to witness the
wisdom that Joseph displayed on this occasion, for truly God gave unto him
great wisdom and power, and it seems to me that none who saw him administer
righteousness under such trying circumstances could doubt that the Lord was
with him. He acted not with the wisdom of man, but with the wisdom of God.” How
could it be that these people all believed Joseph’s revelations over Hiram’s
revelations with no more than Joseph’s word about it?
Therefore, why is it that ye
cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of
truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit if truth? Wherefore, he that
preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified
and rejoice together. (D&C 50:21-22)
The reason they believed it was because they had more
than Joseph’s word, they had the manifestation of the Holy Ghost to go with it.
With the revelation, Brother Knight said, “The Holy Ghost came upon us and filled our hearts with
unspeakable joy.” (Andrus, They
Knew the Prophey, quoted in LDH,
p. 65)
What outer guides do you see in our world today that
might deceive us if we are not careful? (Class ideas.) Do you agree that the
outer guides to truth are the same for us today as they were in 1831?
The Holy Ghost is truly the most powerful of the guides
available to us, and testifies of the truth of the others. It’s like the final
word and it can be trusted. It is vital that we learn to hear and understand
the Holy Ghost.
At the conference in 1831, the following month, a pattern
was given for discerning whether a man was speaking the word of God or not, in D&C 52:14-18. In that same revelation with this
advice, 34 men were called as missionaries. Do you ever wonder who all these
people are who are mentioned in the D&C, and whether they followed the
counsel given them? Of those 34 in Section 52, how many do you think followed
the counsel on how to avoid deception? I wondered, and so I researched them
(very sketchily) and discovered that although most of them went on the missions
they were called to in this revelation, just 13 remained faithful to the Church
their entire lives, no matter what the cost. Three more left fellowship for a
period of time but later returned (Orson Pratt for just a few months, Thomas B.
Marsh for 19 years, and Martin Harris for 32 years.) (Brief sketches on each of
these faithful men are included at the end of this post. You may want to print
them up as handouts for class members to read later on their own.)
One of these men who avoided deception and continued
faithful to the end was Parley P. Pratt. He spent his 50th year on a
mission, away from his large family. He wrote to them, “The whole country is being overwhelmed with the most
abominable lying, mockery, and hatred of the Saints, and with all manner of
corruption. The legions of spirits are let loose and are working wonders.” A
little later in the letter, he says, “I hope you will not be cast down or borrow any trouble about me
because I admit an if as to my safe
return. I have no doubt but that I shall return in safety and live to a good
old age. But still I must acknowledge that I do anticipate with a great deal of
pleasure the change of worlds. And, every day that I work on my history, I
naturally think that the word finis will
soon be added to the end.”
Elder Pratt was shortly thereafter accused of some false
charges by three men who had sworn to kill him. He was honorably released from
the court with the charges dismissed. The three men followed him twelve miles,
until he was utterly alone and defenseless, and then shot him. He had 11 living
wives, and 21-22 living children, ranging in age from 20 years to 10 months.
Among his children are found many Book of Mormon names: Moroni, Heleman, Alma,
Nephi, Abinadi, Lehi, Teancum, Mosiah, Omner, Ether, and Moroni. John Taylor
wrote of him, “…his name is
revered by thousands and tens of thousands, and will be honored by millions yet
unborn; while that of his cowardly assassins…will be loathsome, and a stink in
the nostrils of God and good men.” (The
Mormon, published in New York, May 30)
I am fifty years old! I have lived
to see
Seven times seven and a Jubilee.
That period fames in the days of
yore
As a grand release for the humble
poor;
When the pledg’d estate was again
restor’d
And the bondman free’d from his
tyrant lord.
When man his fellow was bound to
forgive, and begin anew to think and to live. . . .
All these are facts; but of little
worth,
Compared with a Prophet restored
to earth.
I have seen his day and have heard
his voice,
Which enraged a world, while the
meek rejoice.
I have read the fate of all
earthly things:
The end of thrones, and the end of
kings.
I have learned that truth alone
shall stand,
And the Kingdom of God fill every
land.
I have seen that Kingdom rolling
along,
And taking its seat ‘mid the
mountains strong;
While the nations wondered but
could not tell
To what these wondrous things
would swell.
I have wandered far, over land and
sea,
To proclaim to the world its
destiny—
To cry to the nations, repent and
live,
And be ready the bridegroom to
receive. . . .
I have toiled with the great in
freedom’s cause,
And assisted to give to a State
its laws.
I have lain in a dungeon, bound in
chains,
And been honored in Courts where
Justice reigns.
In a thousand joys, and a thousand
fears
I have struggled on through my
fifty years.
And now, by the law of God, I am
free;
I will seek to enjoy my Jubilee.
I will hie me home to my mountain
dell,
And will say to the “Christian”
world—farewell!
I have served ye long--; ‘twas a
thankless task,
To retire in peace is all I ask.
Another fifty years will fully
prove
Our message true, and all our
motives love.
Then shall an humble world in
reverence bow,
And hail the Prophets so rejected
now.
Kings shall revere, and nations
incense bring
To Zion’s temple and to Zion’s
King.
I shall be there and celebrate the
day
‘Till twice ten fifties shall have
passed away.
(Excerpts from
Parlet’s poem My Fiftieth Year, p.
410-412 of Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt.)
At Parley’s death, his brother Orson wrote, “O how pleasant is the death of a
righteous person! He lays down his body with a sure and certain hope of coming
forth from the tomb in the morning of the first resurrection, to reign as a
mighty King and Priest of the Most High God, to sit enthroned in eternal glory,
ruling with power and dominion for ever and ever.” (PPP, p. 419)
In the first edition of the British church magazine, the
Millennial Star, a hymn written by Parley P. Pratt was published: “The Morning
Breaks.” It is not Hymn #1 in our hymnbook. As the first two verses elaborate
on Darkness vs. Light, you may want to sing it as the conclusion to the lesson.
President Harold B. Lee: “I want to bear you my testimony
that the experience I have had has taught me that those who criticize the
leaders of this Church are showing signs of a spiritual sickness which, unless
curbed, will bring about eventually spiritual death. I want to bear my
testimony as well that those who in public seek by their criticism to belittle
our leaders or bring them into disrepute, will bring upon themselves more hurt
than upon those whom they seek thus to malign. I have watched over the years,
and I have read of the history of many of those who fell away from this Church,
and I want to bear testimony that no apostate who ever left this Church ever
prospered as an influence in his community thereafter.” (Conference Report, Oct
1947, p. 67)
Elder Dallin H. Oaks: “The counsel against speaking evil
of Church leaders is not so much for the benefit of the leaders as it is for
the spiritual well-being of members who are prone to murmur and find fault. The
Church leaders that I know are durable people. They made their way successfully
in a world of unrestrained criticism before they received their current
callings. They have no personal need for protection; they seek no personal
immunities from criticism – constructive or destructive. They only seek to
declare what they understand to be the word of the Lord to his people.” (Ensign,
Feb 1987, p. 70)
Elder Melvin J. Ballard: “No man goes away from this
church and becomes an apostate in a week, nor in a month. It is a slow process.
The one thing that makes for the safety of every man and woman would be to
appear at the sacrament table every Sabbath day. We would not get very far in a
week – not so away that, by the process of self-investigation, we could not
rectify the wrongs we may have done. If we should refrain from partaking of the
condemned by ourselves as unworthy to receive these emblems, we could not
endure that long, and we would soon, I am sure, have the spirit of repentance.
The road to the sacrament table is the path of safety for Latter-day Saints.”
(quoted in Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 4:121)
President Spencer W. Kimball: “In my experience, few
people have ever lost their peace, their spirituality, their testimony when
they kept close to the Lord in their prayers, to the Church in their
activities, to the people of the Church in their fellowship. Seldom does one
become seriously doubtful or faithless who continues to read the Holy
Scriptures and keep his life clean. ‘Put on the whole armor of God,’ as Paul
admonished. With this divine influence and protection, we may be able to
discern the adversary’s deceptions in whatever appealing words and
rationalizations and we may be ‘able to withstand the evil day, and having done
all, to stand.’” (Faith Precedes the
Miracle, pg. 218)
* * * * * * * * * * * *
“BLESSED
ARE THEY WHO ARE FAITHFUL AND ENDURE”
D&C 50:5
Of the 34 brethren called to service in D&C 52, only
14 remained faithful their entire lives, and 3 more left Church fellowship but
returned repentant at a later date. The other 17 all left the Church, never to
return in this life. Here is a little bit about each of those men who remained
faithful or returned to faithfulness.
Reynolds Cahoon—He served in a bishopric and a stake
presidency and on the temple building committees in both Kirtland and Nauvoo.
Of the latter call, he said, “I think I was never placed in so critical a
position since I was born.” His seventh child was blessed and named by the
Prophet Joseph, Mahonri Moriancumer, the name of the Brother of Jared. His obituary in the Deseret News read, “…a true friend to the prophet of God while he
was living, full of integrity and love for the truth and always acted
cheerfully the part assigned him in the great work of the last Days.” He died
at age 73.
Simeon Carter—He brought 60 converts into the church with
him when he was baptized. That was the beginning of his missionary labors,
which were much celebrated as he baptized large numbers of people wherever he
served. He marched in Zion’s Camp and was wounded at the Battle of Crooked
River. After trekking west to Utah, he was called to settle Brigham City, and
died there at the age of 74, still true to the faith, although his brother
Jared had left the Church years previously.
Zebedee Coltrin—He saw several glorious visions of God,
Christ, and the angels of Heaven, including on the evening he had resolved to
be baptized. He was a President of the Seventy in Kirtland. Later, in Utah, he
was a Patriarch for 14 years, giving over one thousand patriarchal blessings,
including blessings to Melvin J. Ballard and George Albert Smith. He offered
the benediction at the dedication of the Logan Temple. He was a popular speaker
about pioneers and was scheduled to speak at the July 24th
celebration in 1887, but died a few days previous; his funeral was held that
day instead. His tombstone in Spanish Fork reads: “A friend of Joseph Smith
lies here\A patriarch and pioneer\His life was marked by faith and zeal\His
mission was to bless and heal.” He was 82.
Levi Hancock—Of the Prophet Joseph, he said, “I did all I
could to hold up that good man. My heart would ache for him. He had to stand
against thousands of his pretended friends seeking to overthrow him. It was
terrible the abuse he suffered.” Levi made the banner for the march of Zion’s
Camp, white, with an eagle and the word Peace.
He was a President of the Seventy for 47 years, a fife major in the Nauvoo
Legion, and a police officer in Nauvoo. As a general Authority, he was a leader
and father figure in the Mormon Battalion. Later, in Utah, he was ordained a
Patriarch. He died in Washington County at age 79.
Soloman Hancock—The brother of Levi Hancock, he protected
120 women and children for 10 days from the mobs of Jackson County, and later,
with his brothers, guarded and fed 600 men, women, and children who had been
driven from their homes and were camped in the woods. He was a member of the
High Council and had a beautiful singing voice. In remembrance of his baptism,
he wrote this cute little verse: “Once I was a Methodist, Glory Hallelujah\Then
I thought it was best, Glory Hallelujah\But when I read my Bible right, Glory Hallelujah\I
found myself a Mormonite, Glory Hallelujah.” Although his “greatest desire” was
to go west with the Saints, he died in 1847 at Council Bluffs at the age of 54.
Martin Harris—One of the three witnesses to the Book of
Mormon, Martin gave much of his material goods to the Church. He marched with
Zion’s Camp and served several highly successful missions. In Kirtland,
however, he spoke out against the Prophet, and estranged himself from the
church for 32 years. During that time, however, he cared for the deserted
Kirtland Temple. When Brigham Young heard that he would like to return to
fellowships and join the Saints in Utah but lacked the funds, he said, “Send
for him! Yes, even if it were to take the last dollar of my own.” And so, at
age 88, Martin moved to the west, having been given new clothes by the saints
in Iowa on the way. He traveled throughout Utah, bearing testimony every chance
he got, and died in Clarkston, Utah at age 92.
Soloman Humphrey—After his baptism, he returned to his
hometown of Stockholm, New York to share the truth with family and friends. His
mission was very discouraging, as the ministers and citizens constantly
“hissed” at him. He migrated to Kirtland to be with the Saints, and was called
in D&C 52:35-36 to return again to Stockholm on another mission. He
obediently did so and was able to help convert several family members,
including John Smith, a future Patriarch, and George A. Smith, a future
Apostle. As one of the older members of Zion’s Camp, he fell asleep exhausted on
the prairie and awoke with a rattlesnake curled up between his head and his
hat, which was in his hand. He, however, forbade the elders from killing it,
saying, “I’ll protect him; you shan’t hurt him, for he and I had a good nap
together.” He died before completing his final mission in Clay County,
Missouri, at the age of 59.
Newel Knight—The Prophet Joseph Smith cast the devil out
of him before he was baptized. The following month, during the first conference
of the Church, he saw the heavens opened and beheld Jesus Christ seated at the
right hand of his Father. He did not serve the mission he was called to in
D&C 52 because he was branch president and difficulties arose there that
required his attention. He also did not make it to Utah, but died in Iowa
Territory in 1847 from lung inflammation. He was only 46. After his death, he
appeared to his young wife Lydia, headed west alone with 7 little children, and
said, “…dry up your tears. Be patient, and I will go before you and protect you
in your journeyings. And you and your little ones shall never perish for lack
of food.”
Thomas Marsh—While a member of the Quorum of the 12
Apostles, he was involved in a dispute between his wife and a neighbor which
escalated out of control. He declared that “he would sustain the character of
his wife, even if he had to go to hell for it.” Apparently he suffered that
fate for many tears, as a vile apostate, slandering and lying against the
Church leaders. He was excommunicated in 1839. 18 years later, he greatly
sorrowed for his errors: “I want to die in the Church. Oh, if I could see
Joseph, and talk with him and acknowledge my faults to him, and get his
forgiveness from him…then I would die happy.” He further stated that Jehovah
“loved me too much to let me go without whipping…For if he had not cared
anything about me, he would not have taken me by the arm and given me such a
shaking…I have learned to understand what David said when he exclaimed, ‘I
would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God than to dwell in the tents of
wickedness.’” He was rebaptized in 1857, and died in Ogden 9 years later at the
age of 66 as a pauper and an invalid.
Isaac Morley—He housed the Prophet and Emma at his large
and prosperous farm. When commanded by the Lord, he sold the farm and gave the
money to the Church. He was tried for treason and sentenced to be shot, but
rather than faltering in his faith, offered himself as a ransom for the relief
of the Saints. When the Saints fled to Illinois, one of their communities was
named for Brother Morley, “Yelrome,” the backwards spelling of his name. He was
a High Priest, Counselor to Bishop Partridge, Patriarch in Far West and later
in Utah. He settled in Manti. He died at age 79 in Fairview.
John Murdock—His newborn twins were given to Joseph and
Emma at the death of their mother, and his other three little children housed
with other saints so that he could serve as a missionary. After his mission, he
saw the Savior in a glorious vision. He served many more missions, including
one to Australia. He was a bishop in Nauvoo and Salt Lake City; Stake President
in Lima, Illinois; and Patriarch in Utah County. He died at age 79.
Edward Partridge—He was called as the presiding Bishop
for the Church and wrote to his wife, “You know I stand in an important
station, and as I am occasionally chastened I sometimes feel my station is
above what I can perform to the acceptance of my Heavenly Father.” He took care
of the poor so well, that he became destitute himself. He said in 1839, “I have
not at this time two dollars in the world, one dollar and forty-four cents is
all. I owe for my rent, and for making clothes for some of the poor, and some
other things…What is best for me to do, I hardly know.” He died of exhaustion
in Nauvoo at age 46, completely worn out by his tireless service.
Orson Pratt—He was baptized by his brother, Parley, on
his nineteenth birthday. He was the first Elder’s Quorum President, and an
Apostle. His high degree of education as a professor at the University of
Nauvoo caused him to temporarily waver in the faith. He was excommunicated in
1842, but rebaptized within the year. He helped
Brigham Young lay out the city of Salt Lake, was editor of the Millennial Star in England, did an
incredible amount of temple work for his ancestors, and was historian of the
Church. Wilford Woodruff said of him, “I never saw a man in my life that I know
of that has spent as few moments idly as he has….He has improved his time.” In
October of 1881, after telling Joseph F. Smith the inscription he wanted on his
tombstone—“My body sleeps for a moment, but my testimony lives and shall endure
forever”—he died at age 70.
Parley P. Pratt—“…I always loved a book. If I worked
hard, a book was in my hand in the morning…a book at evening…a book at every
leisure moment of my life.” Parley was a member of Zion’s Camp, ordained an
Apostle. He served missions to England, the South Seas, and to South America,
in addition to the United States and the American Indians. He edited the Millennial Star in England, and the
first edition contained his hymn “The Morning Breaks, the Shadows Flee.” In
1857, shortly after serving his final mission to the States, he was murdered in
Arkansas. He was 50.
Hyrum Smith—He was a Patriarch and member of the First
Presidency. His counsel to the brethren in Nauvoo was, “Never trifle and take
lightly your office and calling and hold strictly to the importance of your
mission. At all times remember your position before the Lord and hold in high
esteem and respect the priesthood that you bear.” He died at age 44 as a martyr
at Carthage Jail, having been shot four times.
Joseph Smith, Jr—You know all
about him.
Source: Susan Easton Black, Who's Who in the Doctrine and Covenants
