Dan Jones: Joseph Smith's Final Prophecy — 'You Will Yet See Wales and Fulfill the Mission Appointed You Before You Die'

Dan Jones (August 4, 1810 – 1862) was born in Halkyn, Flintshire, Wales. He emigrated to America, became the captain of a river steamboat on the Mississippi, and first encountered Joseph Smith when the Prophet's boat ran aground near his vessel in 1843. Jones was so struck by Joseph that he converted and was baptized on January 19, 1843.

In June 1844, when Joseph and Hyrum Smith were imprisoned at Carthage Jail, Dan Jones was among those who chose to stay with the Prophet through the night. The atmosphere was tense and terrifying — gunfire rang out in the darkness, and the men could hear the sounds of an agitated mob outside.

The prisoners lay down on the floor together to sleep. During the night, Dan Jones whispered to Joseph: 'Brother Joseph, do you feel to answer for me?' — meaning, do you believe I will be killed tonight?

Joseph Smith replied calmly and prophetically: 'You will yet see Wales, and fulfill the mission appointed you before you die.'

In the morning, Joseph sent Dan down to inquire of the guards about the disturbance in the night. The officer of the guard, Lieutenant Frank Worrell, told Jones bluntly: 'We have had too much trouble to bring Old Joe here to let him escape alive... and unless you want to die with him you had better leave before sundown.' Jones reported this chilling message back to Joseph.

Dan Jones then left the jail to seek help from Governor Ford — and was thus away from Carthage when the martyrdom occurred later that afternoon. His life was spared, exactly as Joseph had foretold.

Joseph Smith was killed on June 27, 1844. Dan Jones survived to fulfill the prophecy.