Reynolds Cahoon — Guarding the Prophet and Divine Warning at the Mansion House

On the night of June 22, 1844, five days before the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Reynolds Cahoon stood guard outside the Mansion House in Nauvoo, Illinois, at Joseph Smith’s instruction. Around 9:00 p.m., Hyrum Smith emerged, shook Cahoon’s hand, and told him that a company of men were seeking to kill Joseph. Hyrum said that the Lord had warned Joseph to flee to the Rocky Mountains to save his life. Shortly afterward, Joseph joined them, visibly weeping, and prepared to cross the Mississippi River. The encounter was also remembered as a significant moment of fellowship and loyalty between Hyrum Smith and Cahoon shortly before the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum.