Gary Ernest Smith - Joseph Smith Chastising the Guards at Richmond Jail 35" x 47"

Gary Ernest Smith (1942-)
Joseph Smith Chastising the Guards at Richmond Jail, c1980

Oil on Canvas
Canvas: 35" x 47"
Frame: 42" x 55"

Signed Lower Right: Gary E Smith

One of the more heroic incidents of Church history occurred during the Missouri persecutions of 1838, when, beginning Nov. 9, Joseph Smith and six other prisoners were chained together in a vacant log cabin in Richmond for more than two weeks while a hearing was held to see if they should be tried for an assortment of trumped up charges.

As recollected later by Elder Parley P. Pratt, the prisoners were abused by the guards who, with obscene oaths, boasted of the atrocities they had committed against Church members.

Elder Pratt said he could scarcely refrain from rebuking the guards when Joseph rose and "in a voice of thunder," said:

"SILENCE, ye fiends of the infernal pit. In the name of Jesus Christ I rebuke you, and command you to be still; I will not live another minute and bear such language. Cease such talk, or you or I die THIS INSTANT."

According to Elder Pratt, the "quailing guards" lowered their weapons, their knees "smote together," they shrank into a corner or crouched at the Prophet's feet and begged his pardon.

Literature:
Primary Manual 5, Lesson 31

Provenance:
The Artist
The Collection of Blain Hudson, Park City, Utah: from above 1980
The Collection of CJ Peterson, Orem, Utah: from above, 2020