Joseph Smith Prophesies from Missouri Captivity: 'Not One of Our Lives Shall Be Taken' — Every Prisoner Survives (November 1838)

“As we arose and commenced our march on the morning of the 3rd of November, Joseph Smith spoke to me and the other prisoners, in a low, but cheerful and confidential tone; said he, 'Be of good cheer, brethren; the word of the Lord came to me last night, that our lives should be given us; and that whatever we may suffer during this captivity, not one of our lives should be taken.' Of this prophecy I testify in the name of the Lord, and though spoken in secret, its public fulfillment, and the miraculous escape of each one of us, is too notorious to need my testimony. We were now marched to Independence, in Jackson county, under a strong guard, and were exhibited to the inhabitants of that town like a caravan of wild animals. The whole town turned out to see us, and we were crowded with visitors from morning till night, who came to mock, insult, and deride us, and to ask us all manner of foolish questions. We were then marched to Richmond, in Ray county, where we were delivered into the hands of General Clark, who had been sent from the seat of government with full powers to settle the difficulties in the upper country. We were now thrust into an old log house, and chained together by the legs, and guarded by a strong force, who were kept constantly on the alert, night and day, lest we should make our escape. In this situation we remained for many days, while a court of inquiry was being held, before which we were brought as prisoners, and many of our brethren were brought as witnesses against us, under the penalty of death if they did not swear to whatever the court required of them. In this way, and by the most barefaced perjury, they sought to find matter of accusation against us, and to justify their cruel and inhuman treatment of us, and of the Saints in general.”

— Parley P. Pratt, Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt