"The ruffian, of whom I have spoken, who set him against the wellcurb, now gathered a bowie knife for the purpose of severing his head from his body. He raised the knife and was in the attitude of striking, when a light, so sudden and powerful, burst from the heavens upon the bloody scene, (passing its vivid chain between Joseph and his murderers,) that they were struck with terrified awe and filled with consternation. This light, in its appearance and potency, baffles all powers of description. The arm of the ruffian, that held the knife, fell powerless; the muskets of the four, who fired, fell to the ground, and they all stood like marble statues, not having the power to move a single limb of their bodies." -- William Daniels, at Carthage as part of the mob.
Mary Lightner remembered that within days of the martyrdom
"a number of men came and called us to the door and said, "The Smiths are dead, and they do say a great light appeared when they were killed." I said, "That should prove to you that Joseph was a true Prophet and a man of God." One answered "It proves that the Lord was well pleased with what was done." -- Mary Lightner
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