Thank you for this beautiful essay of photographs Scott. It is especially touching today, being June 27th.
These photos bring back wonderful memories of feeling the Spirit there at Carthage with you and Maurine several years ago during the last day of our Church History Tour with you. You continue to inspire!
.Carolyn and Scott Madson
Doris WilliamsJune 27, 2021
Oh, thank you Scot for putting this up again...it's a blessed reminder, coloring our study in Come Follow Me and the D&C. You have done so many inspiring photo essays....especially about Nauvoo. They are a blessing to all of us. Thank you so much.
Gayle WalkerJune 25, 2021
Thank you so very much for these beautiful pictures and information of these brethren's last days. Words cannot express my feelings for Joseph and Hyrum. I know they were and are God's prophets, seers and revelators for the Final Dispensation of Times.. I appreciate your love for them and learned much from your piece.
Jan StrongNovember 18, 2019
I just now have had the blessing of viewing this! So tender and compelling-My husband and I are serving our final month of a CES mission and so our second to the last class of SAINTS is tomorrow-half of it is on the martyrdom of the Prophet and Hyrum. Would it be OK to share in our class? If not, it is enough that we could view it! Thank you for sharing your talents and knowledge.
Russell Rich CannonJuly 7, 2019
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/705385933/Education-Week-Separating-facts-from-fiction-about-the-Prophets-death.html
I grew up attending Ensign Stake Conference in the Assembly Hall and often saw my Great Uncle John Taylor’s watch on display in the old Temple Square Information Bureau. Even if the watch did not stop a ball, the fact that John Taylor’s life was spared was a miracle. I loved the photo essay.
Mary Ann McConkieJune 28, 2019
Thank you for assembling this beautiful photo essay. I had thought several times throughout the day (the 27th): "this is the anniversary of the the Martyrdom". But those fleeting thoughts were enlarged to a profound gratitude after viewing the pictures and the quotes. Well done.
Richard JukesJune 27, 2019
Very moving essay, Scott. You really captured many of the feelings Marie and I had when we were there.
Thank you.
Maryann TaylorDecember 12, 2018
Have you considered publishing this in book form? It would be wonderful.
ingrid fuhrimanOctober 1, 2018
Have been to these places and thank you greatly for this informative and beautifully done piece. Brought many things to my memory and added a few new pieces too. I will always remember sitting in the window sill at the jail with the sun pouring through the window and my husband pointing to the place on the floor in front of me that had been still stained by Joseph's blood when he went there after completing his mission in the Central States. I can kind of understand the removal of the stain, but it was and still is there in my mind's eye to remind me of the blood he shed for all of us to have the restored Gospel. Praise to the Man indeed.
Farol HunterAugust 6, 2018
Thank you for the beautiful pix and quotes!! I was moved and learned some important details. I have been to these sights, but learned more from this article. Thank you for doing it!
Farol HunterAugust 6, 2018
I loved this!! I have toured these sights, but your pix and quotes, were marvelous!! Thank you!
Chuck SanfordJuly 18, 2018
I have been in the room where our leaders were killed, I have put my finger in the hole in the door through which the ball passed that killed Hyrum, I have looked out the window through which Joseph leapt, wounded, to his death---the room testifies to my soul that , here, died the first prophet of this dispensation and his brother, killed by evil men who thought they were doing the world a service, by murdering two of the best men in the history of the world. Thank you so much for bringing back my memories of that room with your pictures.
Scot ProctorJune 27, 2018
Karen, Thank you so much for your tender comment and your note written between 5:15 and 5:17. Yes, Praise to the Man!
Scot ProctorJune 27, 2018
Kurt, Here is one assessment from the Church Historian's Library: "Historian Glen M. Leonard presents an alternate explanation for how John Taylor’s watch was damaged after he was shot in the thigh: He collapsed on the wide sill, denting the back of his vest pocket watch. The force shattered the glass cover of the timepiece against his ribs and pushed the internal gear pins against the enamel face, popping out a small segment later mistakenly identified as a bullet hole. While this explanation [possibly] clears up how the watch was damaged, it does not explain how John Taylor avoided falling out the window. As he related: “I felt myself falling outside of the window, but immediately I fell inside.” If the bullet did not push Brother Taylor back into the room, what miraculous occurrence did? Also, the extent of his injuries was relatively minor. To be shot at from all sides and receive only flesh wounds is a miracle in itself." Again, this is only conjecture on the part of Glen Leonard. John Taylor himself, the one who experienced the event, certainly believed his whole life that it was a ball that struck his watch in his pocket, the force of which kept him from falling to the ground. Either way, we all believe he was miraculously spared and because one of the two living witnesses of the Martyrdom.
Penny (Clark) JonesJune 27, 2018
WONDERFUL way to remember this day.
And HELLO to the Scribner's who are
modern day AMAZING Saints.
Katrina BentonJune 27, 2018
Very touching. A beautiful reminder of all they stood for, even at the cost of their very lives.
Karen HaeringJune 27, 2018
Scot, It's 5:15 in Carthage right now as I start to write this, as this day has drawn of for me I am missing my beautiful Nauvoo and especially the commemorations that takes place there this day at the graves and at Carthage.. I am melancholy remembering the events and as I go through this article so beautifully written and portrayed through places so very dear to my heart. I desired so much to be a part of this today, and now through you I have been able to ... I weep for their loss of lives, and even greater joy for the Salvation that was gained this day so many years ago. It always brings me great happiness to think who was with them there to great them as they crossed the veil.. so much glory to be brought to our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ for their undying testimonies, valiantly and steadfastly kept.. I appreciate this more that you could possibly know. .. it is 5:17 now Praise to the Man!!!
Mary Jane FritzenJune 27, 2018
Thank you for memorializing this date with your photos and text.
Kurt KammeyerJune 27, 2018
Correction: recent research has shown that John Taylor's pocket watch was not struck by a ball, but was likely smashed against the window sill as John Taylor fell.
Cecile ScribnerJune 27, 2018
Enjoyed this very much - learned some things I didn't know, and always enjoy your photography!!! You are a great student of Joseph Smith History. We used some of these same quotes when writing the Readers' Theaters in New Zealand on our mission (2004-2005) in commemoration of Joseph's birthday. Our last one was "The Martyrdom."
Ted GibbonsJune 27, 2018
Scot,
Thank you for this marvelous piece. I have been studying and teaching the martyrdom since 1974. Every year I put an entry in my journal on this day. This year, the entry is your essay.
Ted Gibbons
Merlin FreiJune 27, 2018
Thank you for such a moving testimony regarding the lives of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.
Keith RedfordJune 27, 2018
Very well done. Why no mention of Porter Rockwell? He played a key role in the events at the time and seems to be always left out.
Comments | Return to Story
Carolyn MadsonJune 27, 2021
Thank you for this beautiful essay of photographs Scott. It is especially touching today, being June 27th. These photos bring back wonderful memories of feeling the Spirit there at Carthage with you and Maurine several years ago during the last day of our Church History Tour with you. You continue to inspire! .Carolyn and Scott Madson
Doris WilliamsJune 27, 2021
Oh, thank you Scot for putting this up again...it's a blessed reminder, coloring our study in Come Follow Me and the D&C. You have done so many inspiring photo essays....especially about Nauvoo. They are a blessing to all of us. Thank you so much.
Gayle WalkerJune 25, 2021
Thank you so very much for these beautiful pictures and information of these brethren's last days. Words cannot express my feelings for Joseph and Hyrum. I know they were and are God's prophets, seers and revelators for the Final Dispensation of Times.. I appreciate your love for them and learned much from your piece.
Jan StrongNovember 18, 2019
I just now have had the blessing of viewing this! So tender and compelling-My husband and I are serving our final month of a CES mission and so our second to the last class of SAINTS is tomorrow-half of it is on the martyrdom of the Prophet and Hyrum. Would it be OK to share in our class? If not, it is enough that we could view it! Thank you for sharing your talents and knowledge.
Russell Rich CannonJuly 7, 2019
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/705385933/Education-Week-Separating-facts-from-fiction-about-the-Prophets-death.html I grew up attending Ensign Stake Conference in the Assembly Hall and often saw my Great Uncle John Taylor’s watch on display in the old Temple Square Information Bureau. Even if the watch did not stop a ball, the fact that John Taylor’s life was spared was a miracle. I loved the photo essay.
Mary Ann McConkieJune 28, 2019
Thank you for assembling this beautiful photo essay. I had thought several times throughout the day (the 27th): "this is the anniversary of the the Martyrdom". But those fleeting thoughts were enlarged to a profound gratitude after viewing the pictures and the quotes. Well done.
Richard JukesJune 27, 2019
Very moving essay, Scott. You really captured many of the feelings Marie and I had when we were there. Thank you.
Maryann TaylorDecember 12, 2018
Have you considered publishing this in book form? It would be wonderful.
ingrid fuhrimanOctober 1, 2018
Have been to these places and thank you greatly for this informative and beautifully done piece. Brought many things to my memory and added a few new pieces too. I will always remember sitting in the window sill at the jail with the sun pouring through the window and my husband pointing to the place on the floor in front of me that had been still stained by Joseph's blood when he went there after completing his mission in the Central States. I can kind of understand the removal of the stain, but it was and still is there in my mind's eye to remind me of the blood he shed for all of us to have the restored Gospel. Praise to the Man indeed.
Farol HunterAugust 6, 2018
Thank you for the beautiful pix and quotes!! I was moved and learned some important details. I have been to these sights, but learned more from this article. Thank you for doing it!
Farol HunterAugust 6, 2018
I loved this!! I have toured these sights, but your pix and quotes, were marvelous!! Thank you!
Chuck SanfordJuly 18, 2018
I have been in the room where our leaders were killed, I have put my finger in the hole in the door through which the ball passed that killed Hyrum, I have looked out the window through which Joseph leapt, wounded, to his death---the room testifies to my soul that , here, died the first prophet of this dispensation and his brother, killed by evil men who thought they were doing the world a service, by murdering two of the best men in the history of the world. Thank you so much for bringing back my memories of that room with your pictures.
Scot ProctorJune 27, 2018
Karen, Thank you so much for your tender comment and your note written between 5:15 and 5:17. Yes, Praise to the Man!
Scot ProctorJune 27, 2018
Kurt, Here is one assessment from the Church Historian's Library: "Historian Glen M. Leonard presents an alternate explanation for how John Taylor’s watch was damaged after he was shot in the thigh: He collapsed on the wide sill, denting the back of his vest pocket watch. The force shattered the glass cover of the timepiece against his ribs and pushed the internal gear pins against the enamel face, popping out a small segment later mistakenly identified as a bullet hole. While this explanation [possibly] clears up how the watch was damaged, it does not explain how John Taylor avoided falling out the window. As he related: “I felt myself falling outside of the window, but immediately I fell inside.” If the bullet did not push Brother Taylor back into the room, what miraculous occurrence did? Also, the extent of his injuries was relatively minor. To be shot at from all sides and receive only flesh wounds is a miracle in itself." Again, this is only conjecture on the part of Glen Leonard. John Taylor himself, the one who experienced the event, certainly believed his whole life that it was a ball that struck his watch in his pocket, the force of which kept him from falling to the ground. Either way, we all believe he was miraculously spared and because one of the two living witnesses of the Martyrdom.
Penny (Clark) JonesJune 27, 2018
WONDERFUL way to remember this day. And HELLO to the Scribner's who are modern day AMAZING Saints.
Katrina BentonJune 27, 2018
Very touching. A beautiful reminder of all they stood for, even at the cost of their very lives.
Karen HaeringJune 27, 2018
Scot, It's 5:15 in Carthage right now as I start to write this, as this day has drawn of for me I am missing my beautiful Nauvoo and especially the commemorations that takes place there this day at the graves and at Carthage.. I am melancholy remembering the events and as I go through this article so beautifully written and portrayed through places so very dear to my heart. I desired so much to be a part of this today, and now through you I have been able to ... I weep for their loss of lives, and even greater joy for the Salvation that was gained this day so many years ago. It always brings me great happiness to think who was with them there to great them as they crossed the veil.. so much glory to be brought to our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ for their undying testimonies, valiantly and steadfastly kept.. I appreciate this more that you could possibly know. .. it is 5:17 now Praise to the Man!!!
Mary Jane FritzenJune 27, 2018
Thank you for memorializing this date with your photos and text.
Kurt KammeyerJune 27, 2018
Correction: recent research has shown that John Taylor's pocket watch was not struck by a ball, but was likely smashed against the window sill as John Taylor fell.
Cecile ScribnerJune 27, 2018
Enjoyed this very much - learned some things I didn't know, and always enjoy your photography!!! You are a great student of Joseph Smith History. We used some of these same quotes when writing the Readers' Theaters in New Zealand on our mission (2004-2005) in commemoration of Joseph's birthday. Our last one was "The Martyrdom."
Ted GibbonsJune 27, 2018
Scot, Thank you for this marvelous piece. I have been studying and teaching the martyrdom since 1974. Every year I put an entry in my journal on this day. This year, the entry is your essay. Ted Gibbons
Merlin FreiJune 27, 2018
Thank you for such a moving testimony regarding the lives of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.
Keith RedfordJune 27, 2018
Very well done. Why no mention of Porter Rockwell? He played a key role in the events at the time and seems to be always left out.
Tanya NeiderJune 27, 2018
Beautifully done, Scot!
ADD A COMMENT