Henry David Thoreau said, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.” God’s plan brings hope to those in quiet desperation by providing friends who walk by our side and give us comfort and joy.

But for Joseph, many friends of comfort would prove to be his bitterest enemies. One example is W.W. Phelps who, when religious and financial differences arose, rejected the prophet and signed an affidavit leading to a sentence of public execution. Although Joseph was saved by the courage of General. . .