Joseph Standing

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Joseph Standing Standing (October 5, 1854—July 21, 1879) was a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who was martyred while serving in Whitfield County, Georgia.

While serving in Georgia mounting anti-Mormonism lead to violence. At Varnell Station, Elder Standing and his companion Elder Rudger Clawson were surrounded by an angry mob of anti-Mormons, and one of the mobbers shot and killed Elder Standing. A mobbers then turned and pointed to Elder Clawson, and said, "Shoot that man!" Clawson faced the mob, folded his arms, and exclaimed, "Shoot!" The mob dispersed in the face of young Elder Clawson's defiance and willingness to face the mob. He brought Elder Standing's the body back to Salt Lake City, Utah where a public funeral was held in the Tabernacle.

His grave monument (pictured) reads:

(West View)

IN MEMORIAM

Joseph Standing Son of James and Mary Standing. Born Oct. 5, 1854 in Salt Lake City U.T. (Utah Territory)

Erected by the M.I.A. of Salt Lake Stake 1880

(South View)

Beneath this stone, by friendship's hand is lain

The martyred form of one, untimely slain;

A servant of the Lord, whose works revealed

The love of Truth for which his doom was sealed.

where foes beset-when but a single friend

stood true, nor shunned his comrade's cruel end

Deep in the shades of ill-starred Georgia's wood,

Fair freedom's soil was crimsoned with his blood.

Our brother rests beneath his native sod,

His murderers are in the hands of God.

Weep, weep for them, not him whose silent dust

Here waits the resurrection of the just.

(East View)

MARTYRED

For the testimony of Jesus, while with Elder Rudger Clawson, through whose heroism the body was afterwards rescued, July 21st, 1879, Varnell Station Whitfield Co. Ga. by a [sic] armed mob of twelve men named David D. Nation, Jasper N. Nation, A.S. Smith, Daniel Smith, Bedj. Clark, W.M. Nation, Andrew Bradley, Jon Forssett, Hugh Blair, Jos Nations, Jefferson Hunter, Mark McClure

(North View)

HIS MURDERERS

were indicted and two of them tried, the first upon a charge of murder and the other for riot. Through bigotry and prejudice, both were acquitted. Evidence of guilt was not lacking, but the assassins boasted, "There is no law in Georgia for the Mormons."