Reynolds Cahoon — Divine Warning of the Prophet's Danger

On the night of June 22, 1844, Reynolds Cahoon was standing guard outside the Mansion House in Nauvoo, Illinois. Around 9:00 p.m., Hyrum Smith emerged from the house and approached Cahoon, shaking his hand and stating that a company of men were seeking to kill Joseph Smith. Hyrum testified that the Lord had warned Joseph to flee to the Rocky Mountains to save his life. Shortly thereafter, Joseph Smith joined them, visibly weeping, and prepared to cross the Mississippi River. This account documents a specific instance of divine warning and protection communicated to the Prophet and shared with Cahoon during a time of extreme peril.