February 1832

Joseph and Sidney Are Attacked

Angry people try to stop the work of God’s prophet

Some people loved what Joseph Smith was teaching about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and heaven. But other people did not like what he taught. A few of them became angry and wanted to stop Joseph from teaching.

Doctrine and Covenants 76; Saints, 1:149–50

One night, Joseph was up late helping Emma take care of one of their adopted twin babies. The baby was very sick.

Saints, 1:150

Emma took the baby and told Joseph to rest. He had to preach in the morning. Finally, both Joseph and Emma fell asleep.

Saints, 1:150

Suddenly, the door swung open, and a group of angry men ran into the room. Emma screamed as the men grabbed Joseph by the arms, legs, and hair. They dragged him out of the house.

Saints, 1:150–51

Joseph tried to break free from the men, but they held him tightly. Joseph saw that the men had also dragged his friend Sidney Rigdon from his home.

Saints, 1:151

The men tore away Joseph’s clothes and poured hot, sticky tar all over his skin and hair. Then they covered him with feathers and ran away.

Saints, 1:152

After the men left, Joseph stumbled back to the house. Emma was frightened when she saw Joseph. Friends who lived nearby heard what happened and hurried to come help. Emma scraped the tar from Joseph’s skin. For the rest of the night, Emma and her friends helped take care of Joseph and Sidney.

Doctrine and Covenants 25:5; Saints, 1:153

The next day, Joseph was still in a lot of pain. But he got dressed and taught a group of people about Jesus Christ. Some of the men who had attacked him listened to him teach. Later that day, Joseph baptized three people. He kept doing the work of the Lord, even when people tried to stop him.

Doctrine and Covenants 24:8; Saints, 1:153