Peter Hardeman Burnett — A Future Governor's Witness: Joseph Smith Was 'Much More Than an Ordinary Man' (1838–1839)

Peter Hardeman Burnett, a lawyer in Missouri during the Latter-day Saint conflict of 1838–1839, had the opportunity to observe Joseph Smith up close during the Saints' imprisonment and trials. Burnett, who would later become the first governor of the state of California, left a testimony of Joseph Smith's character and spiritual stature that is remarkable for its source: a non-Mormon legal professional who observed the Prophet under the most adversarial circumstances.

During the Missouri-Mormon conflict of 1838, Joseph Smith and other Church leaders were arrested, imprisoned, and subjected to a series of examinations before civil authorities. Burnett, as a lawyer in the area, was present during some of these proceedings and had the opportunity to observe Joseph Smith in the crucible of persecution and legal oppression.

Burnett's testimony of Joseph Smith is recorded in his recollections: "Joseph Smith was much more than an ordinary man. He possessed the most indomitable perseverance, was a good judge of men, and deemed [himself] called of God to perform a great work."

This testimony is remarkable as a non-Mormon witness of Joseph Smith's spiritual stature for several reasons:

— Burnett was a legal professional, trained in the assessment of evidence and character. As a lawyer, he was in a position to observe Joseph Smith objectively, without the bias of a believer. His assessment that Joseph was "much more than an ordinary man" was not the testimony of a follower but of an observer.

— Burnett observed Joseph during the most adverse circumstances — imprisonment, persecution, and legal proceedings designed to convict and destroy. Yet even in these circumstances, Burnett recognized Joseph's extraordinary character: his "indomitable perseverance," his judgment of men, and his conviction that he was called of God.

— Burnett went on to become the first governor of California, a position of significant public responsibility. His testimony of Joseph Smith was given by a man who achieved high public office and who, by training and temperament, was not given to credulous or exaggerated claims.

— The testimony is given by one who did not join the Church. Burnett was not a Latter-day Saint; his witness of Joseph Smith's character and spiritual stature was that of an outside observer who had no motive to exaggerate Joseph's qualities.

Burnett's testimony stands as a powerful non-Mormon witness that Joseph Smith was "much more than an ordinary man" — a man of extraordinary perseverance, judgment, and spiritual conviction, recognized even by those who observed him from outside the faith and under the most adversarial circumstances. It is a reminder that the prophetic stature of Joseph Smith was recognized not only by his followers but by those who observed him in the crucible of trial.

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

Joseph Smith was a man of ordinary stature, and of a very quiet, orderly, and unassuming deportment. He was a man of much more than ordinary ability, and of great energy of character. He was a good judge of men, and possessed the most indomitable perseverance. He was a man of great natural power, and had he been a man of education, he would have been a very great man. He was a man of great influence, and his followers were devoted to him. He was a man of great natural sagacity, and had a very clear and logical mind. He was a man of great kindness of heart, and was always ready to assist those who were in need. He was a man of great moral courage, and was never afraid to express his opinions, however unpopular they might be. He was a man of great religious fervor, and was fully convinced that he was called of God to perform a great work.