Brigham Young Defends the Prophet, Joseph Smith

In the fall of 1836, a spirit of opposition existed in Kirtland against the leaders of the Church - specifically against Joseph Smith. Brigham Young recorded that on one occasion, he met with several of the apostles, the witnesses to the Book of Mormon, and other leaders in the upper room of the Kirtland temple. The question was raised by someone as to how they could "depose" the Prophet and appoint David Whitmer as President of the Church.

Brigham reported that there was some opposition from Father John Smith and Heber C. Kimball, but then Brigham's turn came to speak:
"I rose up, and in a plain and forcible manner told them that Joseph was a Prophet, and I knew it, and that they might rail and slander him as much as they pleased, they could not destroy the appointment of the Prophet of God, they could only destroy their own authority, cut the thread that bound them to the Prophet and to God and sink themselves to hell. Many were highly enraged at my decided opposition to their measures, and Jacob Bump (an old pugilist [fighter or boxer]) was so exasperated that he could not be still. Some of the brethren near him put their hands on him, and requested him to be quiet; but he writhed and twisted his arms and body saying, 'How can I keep my hands off that man?' I told him if he thought it would give him any relief he might lay them on.

"This meeting was broken up without the apostates being able to unite on any decided measures of opposition. This was a crisis when earth and hell seemed leagued to overthrow the Prophet and Church of God. The knees of many of the strongest men in the Church faltered.

"During this siege of darkness I stood close by Joseph, and, with all the wisdom and power God bestowed upon me, put forth my utmost energies to sustain the servant of God and unite the quorums of the Church." (Watson, _Brigham Young History, 1801-44_, pp. 16-17)

Brigham soon found out that there was a plot to "waylay" Joseph as he was expected to return to Kirtland from a trip; the intent was to take the Prophet's life. Brigham immediately obtained a horse and buggy and rode out with William Smith to meet Joseph, helping to bring him safely home.


George A. Smith commented on this incident: "The voice seemingly of an individual, was absolutely necessary to say that Joseph had a single friend. You look at times of danger, moral and physical, and you will find that the spirit of determination and strong will in the breast of a single man may save a most terrible panic and disaster." (_JD_ 11:12)

The Healing of Joseph Hunting, and his Return to Sickness

Ruth W. Tyler was born in 1820, and was the wife of Daniel Tyler. As a young girl living in Kirtland, she became acquainted with a family named Hunting.  Joseph Hunting "had been a raving maniac for sixteen years," and was kept chained in a barn. Ruth remembered that he once said, "I have got Joe Smith in one corner and the devil in the other, and am trying to get them together, but cannot do so."

Joseph Smith Sr., father of the prophet, became aware of the situation. He noted that healing the man of the spirits possessing him would require fasting and prayer, and invited the family and close friends (including Ruth) to prepare with him. Ruth recorded that Patriarch Smith also challenged the family to "covenant to keep the commandments of God, especially the Word of Wisdom."
For five days, the group ate only once a day, spending the rest of the day in fasting and prayer. They met at the family's home and the brother was administered to. "When the Elders went in and administered to him the last time, his strength left him, as did also the evil Spirits, and he wept like a child."

The chains were removed. The man was so weak from the long experience that he had to be helped back to the house. Ruth recorded: "You, dear reader, can better imagine than I can describe the humility and gratitude we all felt in seeing this maniac, who had been a terror to the neighborhood, relieved in this manner. His relatives felt to thank the Lord with all their hearts, and there was not a dry eye in the house where this miracle was performed."

Joseph Hunting gradually recovered and regained his strength. He was frequently seen at meetings in the Kirtland Temple with his mother. However, Ruth recorded this sad ending to the story:
"But, alas! After a time the family began to indulge in those things which they had covenanted not to touch, thereby becoming covenant-breakers, and Satan took advantage of this and again entered the body of Joseph Hunting. The family also, after a time, became indifferent to their holy religion and apostatized, and the man who had been so miraculously healed, died a raving maniac.

"We think this incident should stimulate us to keep our covenants, live humbly and receive the blessings promised to the faithful."

(Compiled and written by David Kenison

The Story of John Tanner

John Tanner

The Man Who Saved the Kirtland Temple

About John Tanner

John Tanner was Born in Rhode Island in 1778.  He grew up to become a very wealthy entrepreneur, his riches equal to millions in the present day.  He was also a lay Baptist minister, and very educated about the Bible.  

His Conversion

John had a leg condition, in which he was afflicted with many open sores.  At the time, the diagnosis was considered a terminal illness, and there was no cure. The diseased leg tissue would soon afflict his whole body, leading to death.  With knowledge of his diagnosis, John set out to "do all the good he could." 

He had been hearing rumors about Mormons in the city, and decided he would go to one of their meetings to protect his Baptists brethren from the deceivers the Mormon missionaries surely were.  Despite his beginning, ominous thought about the Mormons, the Mormon elders, Simeon and Jared Carter, caught his attention. He ended bringing home a Book of Mormon from the meeting that night, declaring to his brethren, "you'd better not fight against the truth."

He then poured over the Book of Mormon, comparing its doctrine with the Bible.  The Spirit bore witness to John that it was a true record. 

His Healing and Baptism

Within a few days, the elders returned to John's home.  John wanted to be baptized, but he could not walk, and neither had he been able to put his necrotic foot on the floor for over six months.  John Tanner did not believe he could endure the pain of baptism, and was further saddened that he would soon die.  

Elder Jared Carter asked John Tanner, "Do you believe that Jesus Christ healed a crippled man at the waters of Bethesda?"

John answered, "yes, with all the certainty of my soul."  

Elder Carter continued, "and do you believe his apostles, Peter and John, healed a man, lame from birth, outside the walls of the temple?  If that priesthood power was part of the primitive church, would it not follow that it would be found in the restored church?  Do you have faith sufficient to be healed?"

John Tanner answered, "I do. Yes I do."

Elder Carter then commanded John Tanner, "in the name of Jesus Christ, to rise up, and walk."

In John Tanner's own words, he stated, "I arose, threw down my crutches, and walked the floor back and forth--back and forth, praising God, and I felt light as a feather."

Later that evening, despite not having put weight on his leg for six months, he walked the quarter mile to Lake George to be baptized by Simeon Carter.  

His Generosity and Saving the Kirtland Temple

He immediately became a giving church member, and gave everything he had.  Being extremely wealthy, had the ability to help many people.  Here are some of his sacrifices: He supplied his sons, and fifty men to go to Zion's camp, and paid to furnish 7 families headed to Kirtland.

In December, 1834, the church was in serious financial trouble.  The Kirtland temple, still being built, was about to be destroyed because of the mortgage payment on the lands were past due.  The Church had no way to pay for the Temple. In council, Joseph Smith and the disciples prayed that a way would be provided to keep the land. 

That night, John "received an impression by dream or vision of the night, that he … must go immediately to the Church”  He sold his property, consisting of 2 large farms, a hotel, several homes, orchards, a dairy, a sawmill, an island, and over 200 acres of timberland. He and his family left on Christmas day, in the middle of winter, and travelled the 500 hundred miles to Kirtland.  They arrived 25 days later, in January of 1835.  Had they arrived just a one day later, they Kirtland land would have been reclaimed.   John paid of the $2,000 dollars owed for the temple, as a loan for the Church, taking a note from Joseph.  He then donated $43,000 to the temple.

His family participated in the dedication, and testified of angles standing on the temple roof.

Through his giving and investing in the Church bank, his fortune dwindled down to a mere $7.50 in cash.  Still, he and his family followed the prophet and moved to Missouri with the Saints.

They suffered and experienced the persecutions with the Saints. John’s son Myron remembers going with his father to grind wheat for a hungry family.  On their way, John saw some of the state's militia in the distance, and he told his son to hide in the bushes.  A conflict began. One of the men his John in the head with his rifle, ripping open a gash to the bone.  This gave him "such a horrifying appearance" that he was let go.  One of this sons on guard duty that night said, “when I let my father through … I did not know him only by his voice as he was so covered with blood.”

His Mission

"At the April Conference, 1844, Father Tanner was called to take a mission to the Eastern States.  Before starting, he went to Nauvoo to see the Prophet, Joseph Smith, whom he met in the street. He held the Prophet's note for $2,000 loaned in 1835 [roughly 9 years previously], to redeem the Kirtland Temple farm, and in the course of the conversation he handed the Prophet his note.  The Prophet, not understanding what he meant by it, asked what he would have him do with it, and the Father Tanner replied: 'Brother Joseph, you are welcome to it,' The Prophet then laid his right hand heavily upon Father Tanner's shoulder and said: 'God bless you, Father Tanner, your children shall never beg for bread.'" This prophecy was fulfilled, and continue to be so.

The money donated to the church is estimated as present-day worth to be at least $500,000 to a couple million dollars.