Joseph F. Smith was 19 years old, returning from his mission through lawless territory. A group of armed and drunken men rode into camp on horseback.

Some of the men Joseph was traveling with hid, but Joseph continued about his business — carrying wood to the campfire. One of the intruders pointed a cocked pistol squarely at his head and declared, "I'm a killer of Mormons, boy. Are you a Mormon?"