A Forensic and Historical Look at John Taylor’s Watch: Evidence of Divine Mercy

Authors

Brian A. Warburton

Keywords

John Taylor, Divine Mercy

Abstract

In June 2023, the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the public availability of forensic and historical research recently completed on the pocket watch of John Taylor. Taylor, an Apostle of the Church at the time, was present when Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed by a mob in the Hancock County Jail in Carthage, Illinois, on June 27, 1844. During the attack, Taylor was shot four times, and his watch was damaged. This artifact has long held a special place in the hearts of many members of the Church as a physical link to the last moments of the lives of the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum, the patriarch to the Church.

Recommended Citation

Warburton, Brian A. (2024) "A Forensic and Historical Look at John Taylor’s Watch: Evidence of Divine Mercy," BYU Studies Quarterly: Vol. 63: Iss. 2, Article 4.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol63/iss2/4