Guns blazing? Murdering two men in the process? In your dreams.
Joseph sealed his testimony with his blood. He died for what he believed in and would not be swayed not matter how much he was persecuted.
Joseph did fire a gun, but it was after his brother had already been shot and killed. According you, Joseph is a murderer for trying to defend himself and those he was with.
According to you also, 3 shots is “guns blazing”. I do not think you know what that phrase means.
Two men were murdered huh? Have you researched who these men were?
John Wills, William Voras, and a man named Gallaher, were wounded at the jail that night. Wills was shot in the arm, Voras was shot in the face,and Galaher was shot in the shoulder. These men were arrested for being part of the mob and put on trial so they were NOT murdered by Joseph, in fact they lived long enough to receive a new suit as a reward for their part in the murder of Joseph and his brother.
I realize you may only research one side of things, but it would do you well to get both sides before perpetuating falsehoods.
I have researched it and historical accounts (“although cloudy” quote), determine that two men died as a result of Joseph Smith firing his six-shooter. I have read that one man, Townsend, died later as a result of his wound festering, that wouldn’t heal. Now, in any court of law, if death results later from that wound, even though not initially killed outright, that person is still charged with the murder of another since the death is the direct result of the wound caused by the bullet discharged by the murderer.
By the way, 5 men were arrested but were aquitted.
*Parley P. Pratt also has written:
A man named Townsend, living in Iowa, near Fort Madison, was one of the mob who assaulted and forced in the jail door. The pistol discharged by Joseph Smith wounded him in the arm, near the shoulder, and it continued to rot without healing until it was taken off and even then it would not heal.
About six months after he was shot Mrs. Lawn saw his arm and dressed it. He was then gradually rotting and dying with the wound. He stayed over night with Mrs. Lawn’s father, and groaned through the night without sleeping. He asked the old gentleman what he thought of Joseph Smith being a Prophet? He replied that he did not know. “Well,” said Townsend, “I know he was a Prophet of God! And, oh, that I had stayed at home and minded my own business, and then I would not have lost my life and been tormented with a guilty conscience, and with this dreadful wound, which none can heal!” He died two or three months afterwards, having literally rotted alive! (Pratt, 391.)
In the section of Pratt’s autobiography containing this account, Pratt also relates the supposed fate of other mob members who participated in the attack on the prophet. Pratt notes that these “particulars, and many others, were related to me by brother Beckwith previous to his death, and afterwards by his widow and father-in-law, and others who were conversant with them, and are believed to be correct.” (Ibid., 392.)*
Any way you try to say it, Joseph Smith’s actions were NOT those of a martyr.
peace of Christ,
CEM
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