The Lord maintained a special watchcare over his great latter-day seer, Joseph Smith. The prayers of he ancients were in his behalf (Mormon 8:25).
“Thy people shall never be turned against thee by the testimony of traitors,” the voice of the Lord whispered to Joseph in Liberty Jail.
“And although their influence shall cast thee into trouble, and into bars and walls, thou shalt be had in honor; and but for a small moment and thy voice shall be more terrible in the midst of thine enemies than the fierce lion, because of thy righteousness; and thy God shall stand by thee forever and ever....
“Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.”
(D&C 122:3-4, 9.)