Carthage, Illinois — On June 27, 1844, Restored prophet Joseph Smith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his brother Hyrum were murdered by a mob in Carthage Prison.
On the 182nd anniversary of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stood in the upper room of a Carthage prison, the very room in which the prophet and his brothers were killed, and testified of Joseph Smith’s prophetic calling and the divinity of Jesus Christ.
“Praise be to those who commune with Jehovah,” Elder Gong said, quoting William W. Phelps’ hymn “Praise to Him.”
“Today is June 27th. We are here in a prison in Carthage, where the Prophet Joseph, sealed in blood as a martyr, and his brother Hyrum are in a room testifying to the truth of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, all they have seen, experienced, and known.”
He continued: “Although we worship God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ and them alone, we acknowledge with great gratitude the Prophet Joseph and other prophets called by the Lord in this dispensation.”
Elder Gong was accompanied at this solemn ceremony by Elder Kyle S. McKay, a General Authority Seventy. He is a church historian and recorder and serves as executive director of the church history department. Elder Hugo E. Martinez, a General Authority Seventy and associate executive director of the Church History Department. Elder Ricardo P. Jimenez, General Authority Seventy, member of the Church’s United States General Area Presidency. Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency. Matt Grow, managing director of church history, was also in attendance. Each was invited to share their thoughts and testimonies.
Church leaders visited Carthage Prison hours before attending the dedication of the new Nauvoo Temple Visitor’s Center in Nauvoo, Illinois.
Elder McKay said the prophet’s testimony, which began in the spring of 1820, was repeated and emphasized in Carthage prison.
“That testimony in 1820 had greater meaning because of June 27, 1844, when (Joseph) sealed that testimony,” Elder McKay said. “Therefore, these two testimonies—the one he could not deny and did not dare to deny, and the one he sealed with his last breath—become the bookends of the prophet’s testimony and ministry of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.”
Sister Runia said the solemnity of the ceremony added a sense of hope. “He didn’t ask for any of that,” she said of Joseph Smith. “Like he said, he did the best he could, and we certainly felt that here.”
For Elder Jiménez, a native of Antofagasta, Chile, the opportunity to visit the Cartago prison and feel the Spirit underscored the global reach of the Restoration.
“The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is reaching every person in the world, and it is a great blessing that our Heavenly Father and Savior have for all of us,” he said. “This is a really important part of thinking about how this started and how it continues to this day.”
Elder Martinez spoke about the lasting impact of the Prophet Joseph Smith’s ministry.
“Everything he did to lead the last dispensation remains. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency are guiding the Church using the priesthood keys they received from the angelic visitors,” he said. “I testify that this message is the message of our Savior Jesus Christ, the message of our Heavenly Father, and the work of the Lord.”
Grow said June 27, 1844 was a tragic day that symbolized the beginning of the end for the Saints of Nauvoo. Although time was limited, it took the Saints another two years to complete the Nauvoo Temple, receive their endowment, and prepare for their journey west.
“President Gordon B. Hinckley recognized that what happened in Carthage was connected to that temple and its eternal promise, and that it was proof that Joseph Smith died,” Groh said. “So when he decided to rebuild the Nauvoo Temple, he chose to dedicate it on June 27, 2002, to connect that tragic day with eternal hope.
Mr. Grow continued: “That’s why we will be here on June 27, 2026, to dedicate a new visitor center that will tell the story of the temple and its beautiful promise.”
