Podcast Summary: Don't Miss This Study

Episode: His Witness
Hosts: Emily (Grace) Freeman & David (Dave) Butler
Date: November 17, 2025

Overview of the Episode

This special field trip episode focuses entirely on Doctrine & Covenants 135 and the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, set against the historical backdrop of Carthage Jail and Nauvoo. While next week’s episode will cover the Saints’ westward trek, this week’s discussion centers on the last days, character, and legacy of Joseph Smith, exploring why his witness matters and how our connection to him shapes our faith in Jesus Christ.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Central Theme: Joseph’s Witness as Martyr

• Martyr = Witness: Dave highlights how "martyr" comes from the Greek word for "witness," emphasizing Joseph Smith's profound role in pointing people to Jesus Christ. (01:14)
• Balancing Praise: The hosts grapple with the perception that Latter-day Saints focus too much on Joseph, clarifying his role as a prophet who pointed others to Christ, not as a replacement for Christ. (02:49)

Notable Quote (02:49, Dave Butler):

“There’s a giant statue of [Joseph Smith] right here behind us... But, you know, just like everybody has a priesthood line of authority, I kind of think everybody has a faith line also. And in restored Christianity, all of our lines would filter through Joseph. And maybe that’s why there is that focus on him.”

Reflecting on Joseph and Hyrum’s Lives and Legacy

• Eulogy and Indictment: Section 135, written by John Taylor, serves as both a eulogy for Joseph and Hyrum and an indictment of the injustices of their deaths. (04:30)
• Defining Contributions: Emily and Dave enumerate Joseph’s impact — from the translation and dissemination of the Book of Mormon to the introduction of temple ordinances and gospel restoration. (05:46, 29:54)

Notable Quote (05:46, Grace Freeman):

“Joseph Smith, the prophet and seer of the Lord has done more save Jesus only for the salvation of men in this world than any other man that ever lived in it.”

The Story of the Martyrdom: A Timeline

Set-Up and Tensions (10:18–12:58)

• Nauvoo Expositor Incident: Internal apostasy, the Nauvoo Expositor, and escalating tension leading Joseph and Hyrum to consider fleeing.
• Turning Back: After being called cowards by some Saints, Joseph and Hyrum decide to return, knowing the risk. Hyrum refuses to leave Joseph’s side:
  • Joseph: “If my life is of no value to my friends, then it’s of no value to me.” (12:19)
  • Hyrum: “In the name of Jesus Christ, I will never leave your side.” (13:38)

Hyrum’s Loyalty and Character (14:09–15:31)

• Doctrine & Covenants 124:15 is cited to illustrate Hyrum’s integrity and steadfastness.
• Memorable Statue: The siblings’ iconic togetherness is captured in a statue in Nauvoo.

The Last Moments: Scripture, Farewell, and Martyrdom (15:58–29:54)

• Hyrum’s Last Scripture: That morning, Hyrum read Ether 12:36–37 about charity and marked the page, demonstrating his spiritual frame of mind before Carthage. (15:58)
• Joseph’s Imperfection and Growth: Emphasis on Joseph’s acknowledgment of his own weaknesses and repentance as a leadership quality (17:53–19:48).
• Joseph’s Final Farewell: Joseph’s last morning with Emma and his children is recounted—Emma asks him to promise he’ll return, but he cannot. (20:28)
• Prophetic Statement: On departing Nauvoo, Joseph says, “I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summer’s morning…” (21:46, Grace Freeman)
• Carthage Jail Details: The time in jail was filled with prayer, testifying, and teaching—even converting guards.
• Martyrdom Sequence:
  • Singing “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”
  • Mob attack: Hyrum is killed first, Joseph cradles him
  • Joseph’s final words: “O Lord, my God” (27:00–29:30)

Notable Quote (21:46, Joseph Smith via Grace Freeman):

“I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am as calm as a summer’s morning. I have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward all man. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me—he was murdered in cold blood.”

The Legacy and Meaning of Joseph’s Witness

• John Taylor’s List: Section 135:3 forms an obituary-like list of Joseph’s significant achievements—translation, revelations, organization of the Church, and more. The hosts encourage listeners to reflect on what Joseph has brought into their own lives. (29:54–32:04)

Notable Quote (33:18, Dave Butler):

“We cannot emphasize enough how dearly we love the Savior, Jesus Christ, and how central he is to our life… But, again, you just can’t help but love the people who introduce him to you.”

• Introducing Jesus Across Generations: Just as Joseph pointed others to Christ, the hosts urge listeners to consider if they are likewise living sermons that help others see the Savior. (34:53–36:19)
• The Hero Conquers Death: While Saints revere Joseph as “hero,” he would insist the real hero is Jesus, who conquered death and guarantees eternal reunion. (33:50–34:42)

Notable Quote (34:51, Grace Freeman):

“There’s so much Jesus in Joseph.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• The Importance of a Witness:

  • “Martyr, it comes from a Greek word that means witness. The most important part is that he was a witness of Jesus Christ.” (01:14, Dave Butler)

• Loving Your Spiritual Introducer:

  • “You can’t help it. You cannot help having admiration and love toward the person who introduced Jesus to you.” (07:10, Dave Butler)

• Emma’s Plea and Joseph’s Calm:

  • “Emma tells him, you promise me you’re coming back. Promise me you’re coming back... And he doesn’t promise her this time.” (20:28, Dave Butler)
  • “I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summer’s morning...” (21:46, Joseph Smith via Grace Freeman)

• Hyrum’s Loyalty:

  • “In the name of Jesus Christ, I will never leave your side. And Joseph bowed his head for a second, and then he said, amen.” (13:38, Dave Butler)

• John Taylor’s Testimony:

  • “...And I love that in verse three he just makes a list of he did this and he did this and he did this. And those were things that had left a profound influence or had made a statement on the life of John Taylor.” (29:54, Grace Freeman)

• Final Words and Connection to the Savior:

  • “The very last words that he says are, O Lord, my God... It’s a word that shows relationship. It’s a word that shows that we did this journey together.” (29:30, Dave Butler)

• Living Your Own Sermon:

  • “At the end of your life, when people look back, will you have revealed Jesus to those who know and love you best? That would be our hope...” (36:19, Grace Freeman)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 02:49 – Addressing focus on Joseph Smith vs. Jesus Christ
• 05:46 – John Taylor’s sermon-one-liner about Joseph’s role in salvation
• 11:18 – Events leading to the martyrdom; context on Nauvoo Expositor
• 13:38 – Joseph and Hyrum’s decision to return; Hyrum’s loyalty
• 15:58 – Hyrum’s scripture reading in Ether; grace and charity
• 17:53 – Joseph’s weaknesses and repentance
• 21:46 – Joseph’s last words before leaving Nauvoo
• 26:50 – Life inside Carthage jail; loyal companions
• 29:30 – Sequence of the martyrdom; Joseph’s final words

Reflection & Invitation to Listeners

• Personal Connection: The hosts invite listeners to make their own lists—like John Taylor—of how Joseph has impacted their understanding of Jesus, and to reflect on what “sermons” their own lives are preaching.
• Preview of Next Episode: The story does not end at Carthage; the Saints’ journey west is a new beginning, continuing the legacy.

Conclusion

This episode provides a deeply reverent, historical, and personal look at Joseph and Hyrum Smith’s final days, underlining that Joseph’s greatest role was in witnessing and revealing Jesus Christ to others. The hosts encourage listeners to recognize witnesses of Christ in their own lives and strive to become such witnesses for others.

“There’s so much Jesus in Joseph.” (34:51, Grace Freeman)

“At the end of your life…will you have revealed Jesus to those who know and love you best? That would be our hope…” (36:19, Grace Freeman)