Joseph Smith's Prophecy of His Martyrdom

Peter W. Cownover relayed to O. B. Huntington an encounter with Joseph Smith just as Joseph was starting for Carthage. Joseph confirmed he knew he would be killed but was going to give himself up to save the people.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

I was at the Mansion House when Joseph was about to start for Carthage. He came out of the house and was surrounded by a large crowd of brethren and sisters. He walked along through the crowd, shaking hands with all he could reach. He seemed to be perfectly calm and resigned. I was close to him and heard him say, 'I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summer's morning. I have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me, he was murdered in cold blood.' Brother Cownover said, 'If you go there they will kill you.' 'I know it,' replied the Prophet, 'but I am going. I am going to give myself for the people, to save them.'

Before arriving at the Mansion House, Peter W. Cownover had been in charge of prisoners arrested by the county sheriff and was held in jail with them in Carthage without formal charges before being liberated and returning to Nauvoo just as Joseph was preparing to depart.