An Attorney’s Testimony

The following is taken from the book, History of Joseph Smith by his Mother, Lucy Mack Smith, page 176. She is quoting an attorney’s journal, by the name of Esquire Reid, wherein he recounts how he came to defend Joseph Smith in an 1830 court case:

“I was so busy at that time, when Mr. Smith sent for me, that is was almost impossible for me to attend the case and never having seen Mr. Smith, I determined to decline going. But soon after coming to this conclusion, I thought I heard someone say to me, ‘You must go and deliver the Lord’s Anointed!’ Supposing it was the man who came after me, I replied, ‘The Lord’s Anointed? What do you mean, The Lord’s Anointed?

He was surprised at being accosted in this manner and replied, ‘What do you mean, sir? I said nothing about the Lord’s Anointed?’

I was convinced that he told the truth for these few words filled my mind with peculiar feelings, such as I had never before experienced; and I immediately hastened to the place of trial. Whilst I was engaged in the case, these emotions increased and when I came to speak upon it, I was inspired with an eloquence which was altogether new to me and which was overpowering and irresistible.

I succeeded, as I expected, in obtaining the prisoner’s discharge. This, the more enraged the adverse party and I soon discovered that Mr. Smith was liable to abuse from them, should he not make his escape. The most of them being fond of liquor, I invited them into another room to drink and thus succeeded in attracting their attention until Mr. Smith was beyond their reach. I knew not where he went, but I was satisfied that he was out of their hands.”