Nothing but LDS propaganda. If you want the real story look for "The Untold Story of the Death of Joseph Smith" by Aaron Shafovaloff.

Funny how he’s the martyr, but he burned someone else’s property and tools of free speech and was rightfully punished for it? Like if someone came up to me and destroyed my phone for posting this comment, they’d go to jail. What a coward. I feel really bad for people born in to this religion. I came out of a repressive religion myself but the lies that lds was founded on are truly shocking and harmful to this day.

Joseph was arrested because he burned down a printing press which was going to report on his polygamy.

At the 530 mark that building was not built until the 1850s, and the later building was not built until the 1870s or later. The Warsaw Signal or whatever it was called (it changed names often) paper, at that time, was actually down at the river at the foot of main street.

Joseph Smith didn't really die like a hero though did he? It seems to me less like a sacred "martyrdom" and more like a desperate violent affair. Rather than facing his end stoically he shot people and then died trying in a last ditch futile effort to escape out of the window.. Kind of like if Jesus instead of carrying his cross to Golgotha manically tried to stab the Roman soldiers around him with a pocket knife and then tried to sprint away only to get feathered with arrows as he tried to jump over the side of a cliff.

Wow this was missing so many important details. It's like this is trying to romanticize the event and smoothe out what really happened. This is not ok when real history should be shared.

I lived in Burlington, Iowa for many years. An 82 year old man was baptized while we lived there. He grew up in Warsaw. He told me he remembered as a 5 year old boy hearing the old men in town playing checkers outside a store boasting about killing Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum.

The only prophet to die with a gun in his hand after killing two men.

Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah.

I know Joseph Smith was and a true prophet of God. Truth is truth and you can’t take away or add anything to it. Of course people will say whatever they want to say and believe in but I can’t deny what I know to be true and reveal over and over by the Holy Ghost to me. I know God lives. I know Jesus is the Christ and the Holy Ghost is real. I’ll do all I can to defend these truths even if it cause my life. I love this gospel and forever proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Thank you for posting these videos. Keep up the great work and will continue to support your work.

Remember 36-year-old Joseph Smith married 15 year old Fanny Alger behind Emma Smith's back... This is well documented. Completely disgusting!

Terrible human being.

These two "historians" and their dramatizations almost make me want to cuss. What silliness this is ! Dramatic music playing, soft dramatic words supposedly spoken while all this confusion is going on. Hyrum shot many times through a second story window while he is in the middle of the room? Are you kidding me? Joseph firing a gun 6 times with a single loader gun? Why did you leave out how they got their guns. Why didn't you talk about the liquor that was provided them which they drank and felt mellow? Well, you characters have a master to serve, which is the almighty church, and had to make this event almost as earth shattering and spiritual as the crucifiction of Jesus. Joseph Smith is the greatest charlatan in American history, and the church continues with his lies.

Where can I find a version that wasn't produced by the Mormons?

Is there any accounts of any of the mobsters involved in this assassination? Any diaries? Anybody got arrested?

Joseph didn't die willingly, so can the term martyr really be used for him?

Why was it legal to destroy the printing press? This is taking away someone's first amendment rights.

To the people who believe he was trying to stop slavery, this is ridiculous because in his own teachings he taught that people with dark skin were cursed and considered them lesser and that only blond haired blued whites were pure lol. Contradiction after contradiction.

Because anyone who has ever tried to keep someone from entering a room doesn't know that opening it gives them the advantage? Saying he opened the door, when all those men were on the other side, is amazing. They would have been in that room had that actually happened.

The attack against Church leaders (Joseph Smith in particular) at Carthage was a political assassination as much as anything. Governor Ford of Illinois didn't like the fastest growing city (with more permanent bldgs. than Chicago at the time) being guided by a charismatic abolitionist. The Saints were known for voting in block and were buying land in Illinois and Iowa placing them strategically on both sides of the Mississippi. They were poised for phenomenal growth. After being advised by the President of the United States to protect themselves, Joseph formed the Nauvoo Legion which immediately became the largest and most well equipped militia in Illinois. They were never deployed.

My 5th Great Grandfather was the one who made those death masks! Thank you for this captivating video.

The gunshot through the door didn't hit Hyrum at his nose. Hyrum was over in the Northeast corner of the room and his back was turned to the door with his head laying next to the east wall according to the testimony and coroners letter. The gunshot in Hyrum's back produced no blood (unlike the video you played). The bullet in his back went straight through him hitting his watch but a bullet from the window would have traveled at a 90 degree angle. Hyrum according to the record would have had his back turned to the door so the gunshot to his back from the window doesn't make sense. You place Hyrum on his stomach which is correct but Willards and John say that Hyrum was on his back. Willard Richards wasn't behind the door hinges in his testimony he is on the left of the door. No one is in the door hinges. The coroner says that Willards might have told him he was in the door hinges which contradicts Willard and John's testimony. Even in that video you have Willards switch to the left of the door with no one in the door hinges 16:25 "Dr Richards for Taylor’s cane; all sprang against the door:- the balls whistled up the stair way -[see T. and S. 598.]- and in an instant one came through the door, Joseph, Taylor and Richards sprung to the left of the door and tried to knock aside the guns of the ruffians, Hyrum was retreating back in front of the door, and snapped his pistol, when a ball struck him in the left side of his nose and he fell on his back on the floor with his head one or two feet from the north east corner of the room saying “I am a dead man.” (Historian’s Office, Martyrdom Account, Draft pages 53- 54) "cutting away a piece of flesh from his (John Taylor) left hip as large as a man's hand, and were hindered only by my knocking down their muzzles with a stick; while they continued to reach their guns into the room, probably left handed, and aimed their discharge so far round as almost to reach us (Joseph & Willards) in the corner of the room to where we retreated and dodged, and then I recommenced the attack with my stick." The bullet in John Taylor's wrist happened after he fell into the room according to him. John would have had his hands in front of him to crawl under the bed. There is no way a bullet would strike him in his wrist and not travel down his arm if he is facing the door. John crawled he didn't roll under the bed. You positioned Joseph Smith wrong in the window. Joseph's right arm and leg were out of the window with his left leg and arm in the room according to William Daniels. Joseph's head was to the north and feet to the south holding onto the window with his left hand and foot. The gunshot to Joseph's right hip and thigh couldn't have come from someone shooting him in the room while he was at the window. Willards was shot in the left earlobe. How do you explain that if he was hiding in the door hinges the whole time? The mob does come back into the room after Joseph is placed at the well. "I was in excruciating pain. He put me in a cell and threw me under the mattress. He they may kill me...said is it possible Joseph is dead pray you may live and tell the story. they returned and found no one in the room and they absconded" (Transcript of Thomas Bullock’s Longhand Summary of John Taylor’s Sermon, June 27, 1854)

JS was killed in a gunfight at the jail. He killed two men before being killed himself. Read the history!

Tom Cruise should star in a film about the final days of Joseph Smith

I have not seen any contemporary first person evidence that JS or HS taught polygamy. Could you share that info?

My 5th Great Grandfather made those death masks. It’s a really cool story!

The quote at 540 is Sharp's commentary below after printing a letter from a Fosters.

Great video, gives me the desire to understand and learn more come and visit these historical places.

Thank you Casey. I love this video, so complete Well done.

What happened to JS? You can fool some people sometimes, but you can't fool all the people all the time...

How did he stay alive as long as he did?

About 30 years ago a 12-year-old Deacon came up to the podium in a fast and testimony meeting and spoke of his family’s summer vacation to Nauvoo. While there they visited the Carthage Jail. This boy said, “I stood on the spot where Joseph Smith died by the well and I felt happy there.” Then he closed his testimony and went back to sit with his family. I thought, “Why on earth would he feel happy while standing on the spot where the Prophet died?!” At that moment the Spirit whispered to me, “That spot is hallowed ground. There are angels there.” I have yet to visit the Carthage Jail, but I hope to someday. When I do, I will stand on the hallowed ground where the prophet died, I will feel the presence of angels and I will feel happy there.

Is it true that Joseph Smith used the Freemason distress call when the mob was upon him but none of the Freemasons in the mob would rescue him?

As a child I believed what I was taught about Joseph Smith, Christopher Columbus and Santa Clause. I don’t believe those things anymore.

Maybe a jealous husband of one of the 34 women he married or an upset father of a 14 year old girl he married. Very understandable

I knew this was a Mormon narrator and a Mormon production just by the way the he was wearing his bag

Fate of the Persecutors by Joseph's mother. It does list those involved and the gruesome deaths they suffered before their deaths. There was also a bounty on Joseph's head from Missouri. Joseph was never charged in Missouri of treason not did they get their day in court. They were constantly threatened. And once they were able to get free of Liberty Jail, then Missouri somehow put a bounty on his head as fugitive from justice. But there was never any charges leveled against Joseph. In fact those calling for Joseph's blood in Missouri was warned against killing Joseph without due process.

Scott Woodward! That’s my old sparring buddy!

My heart breaks every time I hear of the suffering of the Latter day Saints. Everyone, especially in the United States of America, should be able to worship as they choose. Our Father in Heaven loves all of us. We are all children of God. Respect and Tolerance. Just be nice. Follow Kindergarden rules and we can all live in peace.

Love this! I left church for 15 years however in 2018 I had a literal Come to Jesus moment. I felt so impressed to research my Moms family through her genealogy and all I had to work with was her maiden last name. BROWER...The very same Ariah Coates Brower who helped make the death masks of Joseph and Hyrum Smith..The Spirit of Elijah was all over my journey to learn not only about my Moms ancestors but also my Biological Fathers Italian family who are all Catholic. Worlds collided..Fast forward, I realized that MY ways were not the LORDS ways and that's exactly when my testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints pierced my very soul. It feels GOOD to be HOME🙌🏼

Come on now. So you saying under all that pressure that he went to the window to draw the gun fire away? Nah thats bs. He tried to run and jump out the window to save himself like anyone scared would. Interesting how much information is manipulated to make him look like a saint.

Why are there no impact marks around the window in the exterior stone? If you tour Europe such marks are common on stone structures.

Scott was my Book of Mormon teacher at BYUi haha wassup!!

Funny how the video doesn't explain why he was arrested, and the fact that he was a criminal armed with a weapon. He was obviously not a true "saint" ready to meet the Lord. He was scared because he knew where his final destination was going to be anyways.

This did not come off as historical

When all that's in a town is a Tavern, a Church, and a General Store - You use the Tavern as the meeting place for a mob - EVERYBODY drank back then, tavern or not; you try farming with your hands for 20 years

"Casey and Scott then explain in detail what exactly happened in Carthage Jail" ... mm they were there?

"Willing to give their lives up" well standing in front of a painting depicting them frantically trying to block the doors to stay alive 😂

Now c'mon. I strive to listen to things objectively but they said that Hiram was shot IN THE FACE and then in the back and fell. He then managed to utter that this was the death of him 😐 How... How was he still having a conversation after he was shot in the face - his nose area to be more precise..

The Prophet Joseph Smith was known by thousand's of followers to be an Honest and decent man not the scoundrel many then and now accuse him of being. There is no doubt he threw himself into the gunfire and out the window to protect his friends and the future of the church which was with those friend's. This is Highly Sacred ground !! This is the best documentary that has been made on the Martyrdom ! Well done !!

What movie were all these scenes from and where would I find it

No wonders why when they came to Utah. The arm them self to the teeth. And declare war on those who want them dead. It was the last time they were gonna be abused and chased away

I will never be able to go there in this life. I'm glad to have gone there with this video. Thank you brother Joseph and Hyrum

Wow, the hate remains strong. Why do opponents of the LDS church care so much?

Great video thank you! Where is the new Carthage video clips from? Thanks

How do you have pistols while incarcerated? Who was guarding the jail?

2,000 year ago the religious establishment tortured and murdered their own God for not having the “correct” theology. Prophets don’t stand a chance! “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” - John 15:18-20

I visited Navuoo and Carthage years ago. As I stood in that room listening to our guide I cried very sad tears. It was a deeply emotional experience for me…..watching this video I had those same emotions. Although very sad, I’m grateful for the opportunity to see it again and hear you teach us. Thank you so much.

Great job putting this together!

Wow. They actually admitted Joseph was armed. I remember a time when the people around me would leave that part out.

One day we will know the truth of all things.

I understand more so, than I ever did before, of the tremendous cost in Blood, Sweat, and Tears to bring The Book of Mormon to the knowledge of the people. The past few days, I have religiously studied to the end of The Book of Mormon (next are the Books of Ether then Moroni). I have come to appreciate as to the depth of power that flows out of this remarkable volume of Holy Scripture and into my personal life. Thus giving me the impetus for personal change. As I study more and more, I learn greater and greater. Quite literally propelling myself via Heavenly Fathers TARDIS to these highly blessed days, of the early Restored Church.

They where all ready separated and Willard Richards and John Taylor killed them .. and the mob was hired case closed...

Playing stupid games wins you stupid prizes.

When Joseph went to the window, he called outside to the men assembled below, "Oh Lord My God"...which was the beginning of the Masonic Sign of Distress which he did not complete because they killed him. Otherwise they would have been duty bound to help him. Also you need to speak about the vivid flash of light that struck down the mobster raising his knife to mutilate the prophets' body as it laid by the well. Many of the mobsters saw it and witnessed the knife wielder become paralyzed.

I don't know of any martyrs who killed two men and shot a third like Joseph Smith did before he was shot.

I m so thankful for Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum that I am bless with a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and the true Gospel of Jesus Christ .

Fantastic stuff. Thanks so much for doing these videos, they do a lot of good.

Says it all (6 seconds into video) in the first image on the wall of the jail. It displays the upsidedown stars which is symbolic of the baphamet pentagram.

The way things are going right now, in our own day, it will not be surprising when history repeats itself in similar fashion. With all of the divisiveness regarding the current events of today, prophecies are being fulfilled; including how the love of many shall wax cold, among many other things that we see going on right now. Anger, hostility, fear, pride, are distracting many from the love of God and living His precepts and commandments. However, as a song says, "When there's no peace on earth, there is peace in Christ". Now, more than ever, is the time to seek after Jesus Christ and let Him fill us with His love and peace.

I guess you haven’t seen the two documentaries about John Taylor and the Richards guy being responsible for the death of the two Smith brothers

"Every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are." Joseph Smith, October 9, 1859. In fact, Joseph Smith does NOT have the authority to forgive your sins and let you go to God's heaven. No, he DOES NOT have the authority. Even the Pope doesn't have the authority to forgive your sins. You get forgiveness from Lord Jesus Christ, the One who died on the cross (that he died for YOUR SINS) and three days later he rose from the dead. Joseph Smith was a false prophet, you can visit his grave but Jesus' grave isn't there because He is alive and sitting on His throne in Heaven.

Why, oh why, do film makers have to put music throughout the film? It's distracting, annoying, and makes it hard to hear the voices easily. It lends nothing to the telling. I'm sure its about "mood", but i, for one, don't need someone manipulating my mood for effect. Music if between scenes is one thing, but the constant BA of round is noise.

Why would people not believe in someone's visions? Very sad to murder because of someone's beliefs. I believe people say when they say they had a vision. That's sad to kill innocent Christians.

There are some details left out here about this Joseph's death.

Where's the museum that has all the artifacts from the nephites and Jeradites? The armor, weapons, the battlements?

This guy is the first l ron hubbord

"Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain...death cannot conquer the hero again."

He was killed by Colonel Mustard in the Library with the Candlestick.

Why is the background music so much louder than the guides' testimony? Which is more important?

This is a great video for many reasons, but I want to specifically point out the high production quality! Very well done, and thanks for sharing!

While strapped shooting thru the door and down the hall like a boss. Little known fact. I admire him more for defending himself as best he could

This is such HOGWASH! There is no way that this happened in any way, shape or form. I really encourage you guys to watch "Who Killed Joseph Smith." This documentary is really interesting and i think it shows a more accurate account of what took place in that Jail.

Did he say 150 to 200 cowards? I am not certain, but I believe that is what he said -- 150 to 200 cowards surrounded the jail with 4 men inside, not counting the jailer, if he was there.

Great and thank you for this presentation, very informative. I know there's always speculation but thanks for keeping it real.

I pray god will heal all mormons and they will understand how they have been deceived

Love the video, it is so adventurous! Your are such a great storyteller Professor Griffiths!

You can con most of the people most of the time, some of the people some of the time but not all the people all of the time..

Man that was tough to watch I'm not a Mormon but I can appreciate the fight for freedom and although it was painful to hear what happened to the Smith brothers, it helps me see what my ancestors battle was really all about. African-Americans had to also fight and die for their freedom to exist. Where does this fear come from, do they think our existence will eliminate theirs? It didn't, but death did, they are fighting against the wrong enemy.

Nice video and very informative!

Sad that justice needed to be executed in this manner in those years. All of the prisoners should have be taken to trial and judged justly. As it was said in the beginning by the church historian seated in Navoo, “it’s a complicated story.” This vid is typical of half truths, water down history to appeal to the less informed viewer. Historian of today are much more equipped with original documents of the period, and can with more certainty give a truer picture of the happenings of the event narrated here. One good source is a podcast called, Mythvison, there are 20 plus episodes of the mormon saga on file there. I watched this vid to have the opposing view of the more recent, document backed history of J. Smith, how he die in Cartridge Jail, and the prior events that led to the massacre. Intensely interesting piece of American history.

Can we have more vids like this please? So good!

Where are the gold tablets?

One thing I've learnt in studying history, Prophets are never welcomed by their own people.

I hope the Lord was there with Joseph and Hiram and took them to heaven.

I do not like the negative comments. I just watched this. Although put together well, and i mean no disrespect to the gentleman in this video but JS was not a martyr. He did fight back as anyone would.

He was a great example of perseverance, faith, love of all men, his was just to declare the truth, and let every one knows how we are loved by our Heavenly Father.

Thank you for this. I have been to this historical jail in Carthage IL. When I pondered the death of Joseph Smith, I can’t help but think of God’s prophets before him. They almost always had to die for their testimony. True prophets think it a privilege to give up their lives for their love of God. Prophets are never popular. They are hated by many people during their time and loved by those who have a witness of their holy calling. My testimony of Joseph Smith came through the Book of Mormon. No third grader can write such a book in 3 or so months, going through but a single draft before publication, unless he is called of God. But that’s not where my testimony is based. I love the Book of Mormon and it’s teachings about our Savior Jesus Christ. It is a very Christ centric book I have ever read. It teaches us to love one another and that We are all children of God. He is in our lives if we let Him. The destruction of the peoples in the Book of Mormon came about because of pride. It’s when we think we are better than others and we are so smart that we don’t need God that we start treating each other like dirt that we will eventually suffer the consequences. In the Book of Mormon, the consequences are the annihilation of peoples. I hope to follow the Savior, Jesus Christ, by following the teachings of the Book of Mormon which testify of Him- that He is the only begotten son of God in the flesh; that He died for my sins that I may repent and be cleansed and one day return to live in heaven. I feel very blessed to find this gospel when I was 18 year old. I don’t know what my life would be like without it. The Lord has blessed me tremendously, indeed.

He destroyed the newspaper for speaking against polygamy & calling him a “ theocratic king.” The people were outraged! The freedom of speech. Joseph was mad because it told the truth. BTW Jesus is …” the truth, the life & the way.” Joseph hated the truth. All the people who shot him were not punished by a court of law! Amen! I’m so glad.

I love that all of you wonderful amazing professors do what you do so we can glean more from church history and the scriptures. Thank you so much.