Joseph Smith Preserved in Far West - General Atchison's Divine Protection

During the Missouri persecution, Elder Philo Dibble documented a remarkable providential deliverance of Joseph Smith. Dibble had suggested to Joseph that they send for General Atchison, the general of the Missouri militia and a lawyer sympathetic to justice. Dibble recorded: 'Joseph made no reply. We soon turned about and were traveling towards home in the town of Far West. Within half an hour after we got home, a man on the best horse in town was speeding his way towards Liberty, and before the close of the next day General Atchison was in Far West with one hundred men.' Later, when Joseph was to be tried in a remote grove with no witnesses, General Atchison said: 'I want no man to go with us--you and I must go alone,' and added, 'My life for yours, let it be as I want it.' When they arrived at the grove, they found an armed mob waiting. 'On seeing only Atchison and Joseph, the attendants at court began cursing, swearing and threatening. Atchison said, "Hold on, boys; if the first gun is fired, I will take the lives of the last one of you."' The mob dispersed, and Joseph was safe. This preservation of the Prophet was accomplished through the providential intervention of a just man who stood between Joseph and certain death.