User talk:ForTheHope

Joseph Smith and the six shooter
This has long been a wonderful bit of rumor that is picked up by anti-Mormon sites. It gets recycled everytime someone reads such a site. I have added the following data to clarify history (I also added it to the article so that no further confusion will exist):


 * John Taylor, who became the third President of the Mormon Church, made these statements concerning the death of Joseph Smith:


 * "Elder Cyrus H. Wheelock came in to see us, and when he was about leaving drew a small pistol, a six-shooter, from his pocket, remarking at the same time, 'Would any of you like to have this?' Brother Joseph immediately replied, 'Yes, give it to me,' whereupon he took the pistol, and put it in his pantaloons pocket.... I was sitting at one of the front windows of the jail, when I saw a number of men, with painted faces, coming around the corner of the jail, and aiming towards the stairs....(Hyrum was shot in the face and was killed instantly, John Taylor continued)


 * I shall never forget the deep feeling of sympathy and regard manifested in the countenance of Brother Joseph as he drew nigh to Hyrum, and, leaning over him, exclaimed, 'Oh! my poor, dear brother Hyrum!' He, however, instantly arose, and with a firm, quick step, and a determined expression of countenance, approached the door, and pulling the six-shooter left by Brother Wheelock from his pocket, opened the door slightly, and snapped the pistol six successive times; only three of the barrels, however, were discharged. I afterwards understood that two or three were wounded by these discharges, two of whom, I am informed died." (History of the Church, Vol. 7, p. 100, 102 & 103)"

Taylor's statement evidences that there was dicussion regarding the possible death of two men, but it was hearsay on Taylor's part.

"Most accounts seem to agree that three mob members were wounded by Joseph’s gunfire: John Wills, an Irishman who had joined the mob from “his congenital love of a brawl,” was apparently shot in the arm by the prophet (CHC 2:285 n.19); William Voras, a “half grown, hobbledehoy from Bear Creek,” was shot in the shoulder by Joseph (ibid.); and William Gallaher, a “southerner from the Mississippi Bottom” who supposedly was shot in the face. (Ibid., see also Oaks and Hill, 52.) A Mr. John Hay claimed that a fourth man “‘whose name I will not mention, as he is prepared to prove an alibi, and besides stands six feet two in his moccasins’” was also wounded (CHC 2:285 n.19.) This fourth man, identified as a Mr. Allen, could not have been wounded by Smith, since he only fired three rounds. Nevertheless, Allen, as well as Wills, Voras and Gallaher, were all indicted for the murder of Joseph and Hyrum. Wills, Voras and Gallaher “were probably named in the indictment because of their wounds, which testimony showed were received at the jail, were irrefutable evidence that they had participated in the mob.” (Oaks and Hill, 52.) According to one source, the “citizens of Green Plains were said to have given Gallaher and Voras new suits of clothes for their parts in the killing.” (Ibid., 53.) None of these four assailants were ever arrested or appeared for trial, and one report claimed that at least three of these men had left the state. (Ibid., 79.)
 * Although it is possible that one or more of these men died as a result of the wounds they received during their mob attack, there is no evidence to suggest that such is the case, other than second or third hand reports which most scholars have dismissed as folklore."

Let me know if you have any comments or questions. Cheers! Storm Rider (talk) 06:49, 11 November 2006 (UTC)

Pesonal belief system
Thank you for taking the time to ask about my personal beliefs; I have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for many years. I have been a student of religion since I was a young man. I guess you could say that religion is one of life's passions. Of course, it should also be noted that though I may be a student, I am an imperfect disciple and poor example for others. I would say that though I am a member of the LDS church, I am first and foremost a seeker of truth. I believe that there is only one source of truth and that is God. I am comforted at knowing that God is truth's source regardless of religion, belief system, or philosophy. I do not enjoy or appreciate the divisions Christians make among themselves. This is not to say that I do not understand why there are churches or that some do not possess more truth than others, but if Christ is taught He is present. Though we can be seekers of truth, we can never be the judge of another's path. Hope that helps and I hope to see more of your edits. May His peace be with you always, Storm Rider (talk) 01:53, 12 November 2006 (UTC)