1844 - Joseph and Hyrum Smith, along with a group of brethren, leave Nauvoo at 6:30 a. m. for Carthage.  As they arrived at the Temple, Joseph looked with admiration on it and the city and remarked, "This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens; little do they know the trials that await them" (History of the Church, 6:554). At 10 a. m., the arrived at the Fellows' farm four mile west of Carthage where they met Captain Dunn and sixty mounted militia, who presented a letter from Governor Ford requesting that they return to Nauvoo to collect the arms owned by the State of Illinois that had been loaned to the Nauvoo Legion.  Upon seeing this company coming towards them, the Prophet said, "Do not be alarmed, brethren, for they cannot do more to you than the enemies of truth did to the ancient Saints-they can only kill the body" (History of the Church, 6:554-555).  

The group returned to Nauvoo, arriving about 2:00 p. m..  About 6:00 p. m., all the arms had been collected at the Masonic/Cultural Hall and the group, containing the militia with the arms of the Nauvoo Legion and Joseph with about fifteen other brethren, again began the journey to Carthage.  While the arms were being gathered, Joseph made a couple visits down the road from the Masonic Hall to his home to say goodbye to his family.  Several times Joseph made comments about not coming back, including the statement, "I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summer's morning.  I have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward all men.  If they take my life I shall die an innocent man, and my blood shall cry from the ground for vengeance, and it shall be said of me 'He was murdered in cold blood!'" (History of the Church, 6:555).  

They finally arrive in Carthage a few minutes before midnight and, after riding through the town square filled with Carthage Greys and other men threatening them with death, spent the night at the Hamilton House Hotel.  The apostates involved with the Nauvoo Expositor were also staying in the Hamilton House and one, John Hicks, stated that it was "determined to shed the blood of Joseph Smith" (History of the Church, 6:560).