Savior. Joseph said he was only a man sent by Jesus Christ to preach the
gospel. Quite a crowd had gathered around, and Joseph went on explaining
the principles of faith, repentance, etc. Thus Joseph preached a sermon in
Jackson county in fulfillment of a prediction he had made some months
before.

At Independence their treatment was not bad. The people seemed curious to
see them, and the brethren spent their time in talking with people who came
to them.

General Clark, who also wanted some of the "honor" of having these noted
prisoners, now ordered them to Richmond, in Ray county, where the general
had a talk with them. Shortly after this, some guards came into the jail
house and fastened the seven prisoners together by means of a chain and
pad-locks. In this way they lived in a room without chairs or beds,
sleeping on the hard, cold floor at nights. Guards with loaded guns stood
watch over them, and talked to each other of the wicked deeds they had done
at Far West and other places near by. About these horrible acts they
boasted in glee while the prisoners had to lie and hear it all.

One night, says P.P. Pratt, he lay next to Joseph, listening to all this
vile talk, when suddenly Joseph arose to his feet and spoke in a voice of
thunder, or as the roaring lion, these words:

"'_Silence! ye fiends of the infernal pit! In the name of Jesus Christ I
rebuke you, and command you to be still. I will not live another minute and
hear such language. Cease your talk, or you or I die this minute_'

"He ceased to speak. He stood erect in terrible majesty, chained and
without a weapon; calm, unruffled, and dignified as an angel, he looked