JOSEPH REINED HIS HORSE
Painting “The Prophet Reined His Horse” By Harold Hopkinson
Joseph knew that he had to go, find a safer place,
If he stayed in Nauvoo, he dare not show his face,
His enemies were determined him at last to destroy,
Cruel men, wicked men, his death would bring them joy,
Or so they imagined as they plotted and schemed away,
So Joseph left in sorrow, so he could live another day.

He and brother Hyrum and his beloved horse went west,
To go and find a place of safety, a place of peace and rest,
But friends came after them and stopped them in their track
“You will be called a coward Joseph, if you don’t come back.”
How those words cut the heart of that good prophet so true,
“If my life means nothing to my friends, I’ll come along with you.”

Each plod of the horses hooves was like a bell being tolled,
A story of betrayal, a malignant evil plot to quickly unfold,
Joseph knew he would die, each step closer to an early grave,
And although his heart was breaking, he was very brave,
Four went to Carthage jail, till a trial date could be set
And that is where Joseph and Hyrum their ill-timed death met.

I can see Joseph in the saddle as he reined is beloved horse
Feel the hurt in his heart as he changed his allotted course,
He could have plodded onward, step by weary step to go
To safety, but friends said he should stay, what a great blow,
Yet he slowly turned around and returned to meet his fate,
His heart, for both friend and enemy, was free from any hate.

M Ann Margetson © November 24, 2000

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