Podcast Summary

Podcast: Standard of Truth
Host: Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat
Episode: S5B14 Kristy’s KorneЯ - D&C 135 Part 2
Date: November 27, 2025
Special Guest: Richard Leduc
Theme: Deep dive into the context, events, and aftermath of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, focusing especially on legal, political, and spiritual facets as understood by Latter-day Saints (D&C 135).

Overview

This episode continues an in-depth exploration of the events leading up to, during, and following the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith. Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat, with guest Richard Leduc, discusses the legal controversies, escalating tensions, political betrayals, and spiritual legacies surrounding the final days of the Prophet Joseph Smith, as recounted in Doctrine and Covenants 135 and firsthand narratives. The podcast emphasizes both the historical context and the enduring faith perspective of Latter-day Saints.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor and Escalating Tensions

[00:00–07:00]

• The destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor was a critical catalyst (“firestorm”) that led to Joseph’s eventual murder.
  • Nauvoo’s city council declared the paper a “nuisance,” destroyed it legally (in their view), but this ignited outrage.
  • Dr. Dirkmaat contextualizes: “Illinoisans were destroying presses without any repercussions... Elijah Lovejoy was... murdered, and no one was ever convicted for that.” (00:55)
• The Saints underestimated the reaction, having based their actions on precedents and their own experiences of unchecked false media inflaming violence.
• The anti-Mormon press (Warsaw Sentinel, Quincy Whig) becomes highly antagonistic after Joseph’s political choices.
• Legal proceedings begin, and Joseph is arraigned before a local, sympathetic justice (Daniel H. Wells), who dismisses charges.

2. Legal Complexity: Double Jeopardy, Extradition, and Imminent Danger

[07:00–17:00]

• Joseph writes to Governor Ford objecting to being tried again for the same offense (destruction of the press); invokes double jeopardy.
  • Quote from Joseph’s June 22 letter to Ford:
    “The constitution expressly says that no man shall twice be put in jeopardy of life and limb for the same offense...” (10:01)
• Joseph suspects a ploy: repeated arraignments in hostile jurisdictions until conviction—mirroring Missouri’s treatment six years earlier.
  • “They just keep pulling me around places until one... feels like they have enough to convict me.” (14:10)
• Governor Ford insists they must be tried at the Carthage county seat, despite admitting he may be unable to control violent mobs.

3. Psychological Pressure, Flight, and Return

[17:00–26:00]

• Joseph and Hyrum deeply fear mob violence—reminiscent of Missouri’s horrors.
• The brothers briefly leave Nauvoo, planning to lead the Saints westward (Texas, Cherokee territory, Oregon, or Mexico were all considered).
  • Joseph: “If my life is no value to my friends, it’s certainly of no value to myself.” (23:55)
• Strong pleas from Nauvoo (including Emma Smith) persuade Joseph to return and submit, hoping for safety in due process.
• Political/community tension: Non-Mormon Carthage resents Nauvoo’s growth and influence, with undercurrents of religious and economic rivalry.

4. Surrender, Legal Manipulation, and Imprisonment

[26:00–30:20]

• Upon surrendering, Joseph and Hyrum are initially arraigned and bailed on “riot” charges (for the Expositor's destruction).
• They are immediately rearrested on the non-bailable charge of treason, due to accusations (from apostates like Joseph Jackson) that Joseph illegally used the Nauvoo Legion militia.
  • Treason has serious implications: “treason carried with it something very special... it was a non bailable offense.” (29:25)
• Realization dawns: they are trapped, with their safety resting on Ford’s unreliable promises.

5. The Martyrdom — Firsthand Narrative and Aftermath

[30:20–1:27:00]

Inside Carthage Jail: Willard Richards & John Taylor’s Accounts

• The mood is somber and anxious; Taylor offers to help Joseph escape by force, which Joseph refuses, hoping not to escalate violence.
  • “If you will permit it and say the word, I will have you out of this prison in five hours...” — John Taylor (33:55)
• Dr. Dirkmaat and Taylor point out the irony: Joseph is accused of violence he refuses to use, while real violence comes from the mobs.
  • “You don’t hear Mormons... saying, 'We are going to level the rest of Hancock County.' But you certainly have Warsaw saying that about Nauvoo.” (37:20)
• Dr. Dirkmaat notes the “boogeyman” effect—Mormon militia as a scapegoat, while actual violence afflicts the Saints.

Patriotism, Betrayal, and Rebellion

• Latter-day Saint patriotism is deeply shaken; after the martyrdom, many refuse to celebrate July 4th in 1845.
  • “The Mormons think the liberty and independence of the United States has been too long trampled on to be celebrated.” (45:10)
• Discussion of assimilation: Over decades, Saints regain patriotic sentiment, particularly as communism arises as a common enemy in the 20th century.

The Attack and Its Details

• Joseph is given a pistol by Cyrus Wheelock for self-defense—a point sometimes muddled in retellings.
  • “Elder Cyrus Wheelock... drew a small pistol, a six shooter, from his pocket... Brother Joseph immediately replied, ‘Yes, give it to me.’” (50:50)
• The last hours:
  • Spirits are low; the men share wine (for “reviving,” not sacrament), and Taylor sings “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”—a hymn that becomes the poignant soundtrack of the martyrdom.
  • The attack is sudden and brutal: Hyrum is killed through the door; Joseph fires the pistol in self-defense, which causes the mob to stay outside the room, likely saving Taylor and Richards.
  • Taylor suffers multiple gunshot wounds as he attempts escape; Joseph is killed as he jumps from the window.
  • Richards survives; Taylor, grievously wounded, bears lifelong pain (notably, a bullet in his knee until his death).

Reflections on Injustice, Suffering, and Testimony

• John Taylor’s narrative emphasizes both the senseless horror (“Why must God’s nobility... fall victim to the cruel, fiendish hate...?”) (1:19:10) and divine reassurance.
• Taylor's personal testimony of Joseph Smith is moving and authoritative, based on close association and sacrifice.
  • “I know... before God and holy angels— I do not think it, I know it— that he was a servant of God and a prophet of the Lord, and he lived and died in the faith.” (1:22:30)
• Dr. Dirkmaat offers his scholarly and spiritual witness of Joseph Smith’s honesty and divine calling, reaffirming faith gained through both study and the Holy Spirit.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Joseph’s Appeal to Ford:
  “We dare not come... we would not hesitate to stand another trial... were it not that we are confident our lives would be in danger.” (09:58)
• Dirkmaat on Historical Hindsight:
  “That’s the best part about being a historian, is you always get to be right about everything... you know how bad whatever a option was.” (03:10)
• On Accusations and Reality:
  “It’s not Thomas Sharp, the leader of the Warsaw [newspaper], who is murdered. It’s Joseph Smith who’s murdered. ... For all of the claims of this, oh yes, it’s the Nauvoo Legion. That’s your real threat. ... It’s the threat you want to see. It’s not in actuality what ends up happening.” (24:35)
• Patriotism and Disillusionment:
  “Joseph Smith had come to the conclusion... not for us, it’s not [the land of liberty].” (40:01)
• On the Last Hymn in Carthage:
  “Our spirits were all depressed... I sang the song... ‘A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief.’” — John Taylor (1:03:16)
• Taylor's Last Conversation with Joseph:
  “That’s right, Brother Taylor, parry them off as well as you can. Those were the last words I ever heard him speak on earth.” (1:13:20)
• Dirkmaat’s Final Testimony:
  “I can testify that [Joseph Smith] was an honest and a good man. ... I’ve studied it. But it’s not because I studied it that I believe. I believe because the Holy Spirit of God has told me that Joseph Smith was a prophet.” (1:26:20)

Timestamps for Crucial Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | |------------------------------------|-----------------| | Expositor’s Destruction | 00:00–07:00 | | Joseph’s Legal Objections | 07:00–17:00 | | Flight and Emma’s Plea | 18:00–24:00 | | Surrender & Rearrest in Carthage | 26:00–30:20 | | John Taylor’s Eyewitness Account | 33:00–53:00 | | Drinking Wine & The Last Hymn | 59:00–1:04:00 | | The Attack and Aftermath | 1:09:00–1:19:30 | | Taylor’s Reflections/Testimony | 1:22:00–1:26:00 | | Dirkmaat’s Closing Testimony | 1:26:00–end |

Conclusion

This episode delivers an in-depth, emotionally resonant, and carefully contextualized retelling of Joseph Smith’s final days and the meaning of his martyrdom for Latter-day Saints. Rich with firsthand testimony, historical insight, and spiritual reflection, it demonstrates both the complexities of religious persecution and the enduring power of personal faith in the Restoration narrative.

For further study:

• Read D&C 135 (Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith)
• John Taylor’s detailed account of Carthage Jail
• Context on the Nauvoo Expositor and the legal environment of 1840s Illinois
• The changing relationship between Latter-day Saints and American patriotism over time

Summary prepared to capture the nuance, testimony, and historical context provided by Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat and Richard Leduc. All quotes and attributions provided per the original speakers and timestamps from the episode transcript.