Martyrdom News Reaches Nauvoo

Joseph F. Smith and his sister, Martha Ann, often recalled events differently, resulting in different versions in secondary accounts.

Joseph F. Smith Recollection

JFS account through Preston Nibley

Preston Nibley recalled a 1906 conversation with President Smith in Nauvoo as follows:

Window, scream, cries

"I remember the night of the murder," he continued, "when one of the brethren came from Carthage and knocked on our window after dark and called to my mother, "Sister Smith, your husband has been killed." He remembered his mother's scream on hearing this dreadful news, and her moans and cries throughout the night.

Nibley's presidents , 229.

D. B. Huntington

In an 1891 letter to his sister, Joseph F. Smith named the man who delivered the news. "How well I remember the early morning of June 28, forty-seven years ago, when D. B. Huntington announced at mother's bedroom window the sad news of the murders the day before!"

JFS to Martha Ann Harris, Aug. 13, 1891.

Marth Ann Smith Harris Recollection

Martha Ann, on the other hand, though she was only three at the time, left a dramatic and detailed account, which differed substantially from her brother's recollection.

Martha Ann: sick, knock at the door, George Grant delivers news, Mary calm

I remember well the night that he was murdered. I had the measles and I had taken cold. It had settled on my lungs and I could not speak above my breath. I begged my dear mother to lie down and rest once. She would read the Bible awhile then walk again until the day began to dawn. Then there was a knock at the door. My mother asked who was there. The answer was George Grant. She opened the door and asked what news. He gave answer that Joseph Hyrum were both murdered. My mother stepped back calmly exclaiming it cannot be possible can it? He answered yes it is true.

Mercy R. Fielding, Centennial Letter, Church Archives.

She then fell back against the bureau. Bro Grant took her and placed her in a chair. The news flew like wildfire through the house.

Crying begins

The crying and agony that went through that house and the anguish and sorry that were felt can be easier felt than described but that will never be forgotten by those who were called to pass through it.

Inconsistencies

While Joseph F. recalled D. B. Huntington tapping at the window, Martha Ann remembered George Grant knocking at the door and entering the house.

Don C. Corbett observes that the brother and sister:

Mary , 176.

when visiting together, would reminisce about events, places, and people they recalled in Nauvoo. Sometimes their memories would differ a little. Joseph would say, "Martha, you are not quite right about that." Whereupon, Martha would reply, "I remember it distinctly, Joseph." Then she would argue a bit thinking she might stir her brother's member to agree with hers.

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