Thoughts on the Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum

One of my favorite themes from the musical Hamilton is encapsulated in the phrase, "who lives, who dies, who tells your story." As much as we like to look at history as a list of facts that never change, it is important to note, who lived, who died and who writes the story.

From an educator's viewpoint, I understand society's desire to spin simple tales of historic people who exemplify society's core values. For example, George Washington's honesty, Abraham Lincoln's belief that all men are created equal, and Columbus' divine discovery of America. Real people and real events are much more complicated. The stories we understand as children should not be the same histories we understand as adults. How we teach and understand history should and does affect how we act and react towards current events.

As I ponder on the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum, I reflect on the accounts I have read and the political leanings of the time. It took a long time for the Saints to get over the raw emotions brought on by the perceived unfairness of the violence in Illinois and Missouri. I have a great grandfather who was shot in cold blood in front of his family near Nauvoo. So many lost loved ones, and everyone lost Brother Hyrum and Brother Joseph...

From this time in history, hopefully we no longer hold the kind of anger that resulted in The Mountain Meadow Massacre, but what have we learned? For me, I hold onto the idea that I will help others. That I show love, concern,  towards those who worship differently than me. I show love and support towards those who are the victims of unfair policy or policing, and I show support towards who are leaving their homes to find a place of peace where they can raise their children.

It is the 176th anniversary of Joseph and Hyrum's death. I love you. I am thankful for all that you did for us and the world. I am thankful for your influence on my ancestors and your continued influence on me. Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah, death cannot conquer the hero again.