William Clayton - Swift Deliverance and Safe Passage After Warning Joseph Smith of Arrest

In June 1843, William Clayton received an urgent message that a new writ had been issued for Joseph Smith's arrest. Clayton testified: 'Suddenly William F. Cahoon rushed in, telling Clayton that Hyrum Smith wanted to see him at the temple immediately... Clayton rushed to the temple where Hyrum met him and asked him to ride to Dixon immediately to warn Joseph... Clayton borrowed $120 for the trip, persuaded Stephen Markham to go with him, and rode swiftly out of town at midnight on Joseph Smith's favorite horse, Joe Duncan. The two riders covered the 190 miles in sixty-four hours, with very little rest along the way.' This was the Lord's working through Clayton to deliver the prophet from his enemies. Clayton later noted that when Joseph made his 'dramatic, triumphal entry into Nauvoo' after being arrested by his enemies, 'the irrestible influence that was Joseph Smith's in the City of Saints' was demonstrated, and Joseph was miraculously released through legal means.