Joseph Smith Rebukes the Mob Guard in Richmond Jail — Twenty Men Cower Before Him

In November 1838, Joseph Smith and other Church leaders were imprisoned in Richmond, Missouri. During the night, guards were using the most vile and obscene language imaginable, mocking and threatening the prisoners.

Parley P. Pratt recorded one of the most dramatic confrontations of Joseph's life:

"I had listened till I became so disgusted, shocked, horrified, and so filled with the spirit of indignant justice that I could scarcely refrain from rising upon my feet and rebuking the guards; but had said nothing to Joseph, or anyone else, although I lay next to him, when all of a sudden he arose to his feet, and spoke in a voice of thunder, or as the roaring lion, uttering, as near as I can recollect, the following words:

'SILENCE, ye fiends of the infernal pit! In the name of Jesus Christ I rebuke you, and command you to be still; I will not live another minute and hear such language. Cease such talk, or you or I die THIS INSTANT!'

He ceased to speak. He stood erect in terrible majesty. Chained, and without a weapon; calm, unruffled and dignified as an angel, he looked upon the quailing guards, whose weapons were lowered or dropped to the ground; whose knees smote together, and who, shrinking into a corner, or crouching at his feet, begged his pardon, and remained quiet till a change of guards.

I have seen ministers of justice... I never saw anything... that made my heart feel throb of greater joy, than to see Joseph Smith thus arise in dignity."