Julia Pack's Husband Spared from Mob Execution by Divine Intervention

In 1838, when John Pack and his wife Julia were traveling through Missouri to visit Phoebe Pack who was ill, they were stopped by approximately 30 armed mob members. The head of the mob told John that he was suspected of being a spy and ordered him to be taken away, telling Julia, 'You can bid your husband goodbye. You will never see him again. You can go to that house.' Julia declared she would not leave, saying, 'If my husband dies, I will die with him.' John whispered to her to stay and care for the horses, assuring her he was not afraid. The mob took John to an open space and threatened to shoot him, with Sachel Woods, a Methodist minister, saying, 'Here will be your grave, we are going to kill you unless you will deny Joe Smith.' John responded, 'Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God. You profess to be a preacher of righteousness and so do I. I'll meet you at the day of judgment.' There were five or six would-be executioners who debated among themselves about who would shoot him, but none seemed really willing to do the deed. Finally, a man standing by their wagon called out, 'Let that damned Mormon go.' The mob returned John unharmed, though they warned the Packs never to return to that country on pain of death. This miraculous deliverance saved John's life and testified to the power of conviction and the Lord's protection.