Description
I Was Present: The Witness of Benjamin Ashby
Benjamin Ashby was 16 years old in Nauvoo, in 1844. He was a neighbor to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Benjamin was there and a witness to some very important events in our history. His accounts ring with truth.
It was June 18, 1844, when Joseph reportedly stood on the unfinished frame of the Nauvoo House, raised his sword to the heavens and spoke to the Nauvoo Legion. Benjamin was listening.
“I was present when he made his famous speech from the frame of a building in front of his house, where he drew his sword with a declaration never to submit to mobs, but to uphold law and order and liberty of conscience as long as God would give him life.”
Just five days later, Benjamin was again a witness.
“I was in my father’s garden one morning, that memorable June 1844, when Joseph Smith rode past on his way to Carthage. Never shall I forget the look of deep sorrow that covered his noble countenance. That was the last time I saw him alive. He was met on the way by an officer and posse with an order from the governor for the return of all state arms. He turned back to see the order complied with. On getting into town, he called Brother J. B. Noble to accompany him and with his brother, Hyrum, they turned off the road, leaving the company and taking a shortcut across the hills. When alone, he asked Hyrum what the Spirit indicated to him. Hyrum replied that he could get no satisfactory answer. Joseph said, ‘Well, if they kill me I shall die innocent and my blood will be required of this nation.’ This is as near as I remember the testimony of Brother Noble shortly before, he died. In the afternoon, Joseph went to Carthage and to his martyrdom.”
And on the evening of June 27, 1844, the day of the martyrdom, Benjamin described:
“I sat upon the steps of my father’s house on the evening of the day of the martyrdom until twelve o’clock and never before did I hear such an uproar and noises that seemed to pervade the very atmosphere—dogs howling mingled with indescribable sounds, as though all the legions of the damned were in commotion. Not dreaming of the tragedy that had been enacted that afternoon, I went to bed. At dawn the sad tale was brought to our ears. The grief and sorrow of the people cannot be pictured. For days, a man, woman, or child could not be found who was not in tears at the loss of their beloved leaders. Soon the wagon containing the two brothers arrived in the city and passed down to the Mansion House where we visited and viewed their marred features as they lay in the habiliment of the grave.”
Benjamin was also in Nauvoo on August 8, 1844, the day all the people gathered to decide who would lead them now. He said:
“Sidney Rigdon endeavor[ed] to have himself elected as guardian of the Church, I was present when he made his silly and boastful speech about leading the Church back to Pittsburg and twirling the nose of Queen Victoria, etc.– too foolish to be worth remembering. I did not know Rigdon when he was in the spirit of his calling and cannot say what manner of man he was. But when I knew him, he had lost the favor of God and he was as dry as sticks in his preaching. I was in the congregation when the question of the succession of the leadership of the Church was before the people and I solemnly assert and testify that the last time I saw the features, the gestures and heard the sound of the voice of Joseph Smith was when the form, voice, and countenance of Brigham Young was transfigured before the congregation so that he appeared like Joseph Smith in every particular. Thus, the Lord showed the people that the mantle of Joseph had been bestowed on Brigham.”
These are voices out of the dust—witnesses who were there and saw for themselves those events that defined us as a Church and a people. In the mouths of two or more witnesses the truth is established, and young Benjamin Ashby was one of them.
Source: https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/memories/L5VN-XMK
