Hyrum Smith

Editor's note: This article was originally published in 2019.

Joseph and Hyrum’s martyrdom made headlines all across the country—with most sources condemned the act as murder and a scandal.

In May 1829, Hyrum Smith traveled 160 miles from Palmyra, New York, to visit Joseph and Emma in Harmony, Pennsylvania, eager to learn more about Joseph's recent work and revelations as prophet. During Hyrum's stay, Joseph received a revelation for his brother, which is now known as section 11 in the Doctrine and Covenants.

In honor of the 175th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, LDS Living is sharing a series of articles about early Church history. The following is an excerpt from the second edition of Witness to the Martyrdom: John Taylor’s Personal Account of the Last Days of the Prophet Joseph Smith. John Taylor’s narrative is the only eyewitness account of these events in Church history. After the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, John Taylor became “a living martyr” and wrote a personal account of the events. He served as the third president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

One of President M. Russell Ballard's most spiritual moments came as he spoke of two special ancestors.

On Friday, June 21, the Deseret Book flagship store at 45 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City, will be hosting a special event from noon to 1 p.m. to commemorate the martyrdom. Join us in person or watch the live stream on LDS Living's or Deseret Book's Facebook pages!

This Book of Mormon previously owned by freed slaves and signed by Hyrum Smith has a rich and interesting history, "This one has just a spectacular story as to where it was and how it disappeared for 140 years before it resurfaced in 2004," the current owner of the Book of Mormon said. "That's the real story."

LDS Perspectives Podcast recently interviewed Sharalyn D. Howcroft, an archivist for The Joseph Smith Papers, regarding the recent release of Foundational Texts of Mormonism, edited by Mark Ashurst-McGee, Robin Scott Jensen, and Sharalyn D. Howcroft.

The following is an excerpt from Stories of Lucy Mack Smith: Mother of the Restoration by Susan Evans McCloud.

Consider the following names: John the Baptist; 1000+ Anti-Nephi-Lehies; Abinadi; Joseph Smith. What do these have in common? They were martyred because of their commitment to the truth. Can you identify other martyrs from scriptural and church history? (Answers might include Abel (Moses 5:32), Zacharias (the father of John the Baptist—Matthew 23:35), Stephen (Acts 7:56-60), James (the brother of John—Acts 12:2)), Hyrum Smith (D&C 135:1, etc) According to D&C 135:3, why do so many of “the Lord’s anointed” die at the hands of their enemies? (See also D&C 136:5, 6)

"It's an appeal to LDS culture," said Chris Chauncey, the race organizer. "I think there will be a big push in Illinois, Missouri and Iowa. My goal would be to have at least one person from every state."

MR says: From the death masks of Joseph and Hyrum Smith to the Vision Theater and the Nauvoo Sun Stone, there are a lot of hidden treasures you won't want to miss at the reopening of the Church History Museum.