[This account about
Joseph Smith's wisdom and kindness was written by a pioneer woman who had
first-hand knowledge:]
Mary Frost Adams was born in the year 1836, in Hancock
County, Illinois, just a few miles from Carthage. When she was about seven
years old, she moved with her father, Samuel B. Frost, to Nauvoo, where they
became intimately acquainted with Joseph's family. Little Mary grew to love
him, as all children did, for he was never so busy but that he always had a
kind word and a smile for the little ones.
One story Sister Adams tells will illustrate his noble
generosity: While he was acting as mayor of the city, a colored man called
Anthony was arrested for selling liquor on Sunday, contrary to law. He pleaded
that the reason he had done so was that he might raise the money to purchase
the freedom of a dear child held as a slave in a southern state. He had been
able to purchase the liberty of himself and wife and now wished to bring his
little child to their new home. Joseph said, "I am sorry, Anthony, but the
law must be observed, and we will have to impose a fine."
The next day Brother Joseph presented Anthony with a fine
horse, directing him to sell it, and use the money obtained for the purchase of
the child.
Sister Adams says how well she remembers the feeling of
sorrow that pervaded the city, when the two brothers were lying dead in the
Mansion House. She with the rest of the children, were not permitted to go in
the streets owing to the crowd of people who thronged the city, coming and
going by steamboat and carriages, and all with grieving hearts for the departed
loved ones.
Sister Adams is now along in years, but she still bears a
faithful testimony to the divinity of the gospel, and treasures in her heart a
loving memory of the martyred Prophet and Patriarch.
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