The beloved Prophet was arrested on trumped-up
charges as had happened several times before.
This was to be the last time. An angry mob was about
to descend upon Carthage jail with muskets loaded.
Several years before, when he was a young man,
he had gone to a private place and prayed.
He had seen a vision and conversed with God.
News of that traveled rapidly, and hatred
and opposition increased unbelievably fast.
Ministers of the day had stirred up opposition
and ridicule, saying "The heavens are closed, "
and "It's the work of the devil" and demanded
of his neighbors to have nothing to do with him.
Now, in jail, he recalled past events. His followers
In Missouri had been driven out of their homes
In the dead of winter after broken promises
by Governor Dunklin. Their homes and crops
were burned. Dunklin was replaced by Governor
Boggs who issued "Proclamation Extermination."
The Prophet had told his people in Illinois
"There's a Judas in our midst." His bodyguard
had to flee for his life. On his return he told
the names of five traitors among them.
Those apostates were the ones making accusations
against the Prophet for crimes that they themselves
had committed. Every effort made to squelch the lies
against him was met with violence and hatred.
Governor Ford had broken his promise to give him
protection as he gave himself up. Furthermore,
Ford had threatened to destroy all of his followers
if he wasn't at Carthage jail by 10AM the next morning.
"…I go as a lamb to a slaughter…I have a conscience
void of offence toward God…" said the Prophet.
Now the day had come, but he had finished God's
work. He had restored God's truth. Four innocent
men were in the jail cell. They heard a gunshot,
then a mob of more than 100 white men with faces
painted black were seen going around the corner
of the jail. Moments later the guards were pushed
aside. Bullets whizzed in all directions.
A ball was fired through the jail door keyhole
and muskets blazed inside the room.
The Prophet and his brother were killed.
One was Injured by five balls, but survived.
One was not hit as the Prophet had said.
Vengeance for these murders was left up to God.
The sinners had killed the Prophet's body.
They had tried to get him to recant his testimony,
but he never denied it. It was sealed by his blood.
Wonderfully expressed tragedy in wise manner in this wise poem. Very amazing sharing done definitely...10
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
It was a tragedy and a dark day in American history.
Yes it was. Thanks for your comment.