Calm as a Summer's Morning

In haste, I wrote to Governor Ford

Assuring compliance, without disturbance

The printing press now lay shattered

But, still anger rose up against the Saints

I was arrested, the charges were baseless

But, when I was released, this angered mobs more

Hundreds more now assembled

To destroy the temple and burn homes, they swore

The enemy thought that to destroy me

Would put a final end to our presence

But I knew my blood would not put an end

To their thirst for more blood, in the spirit of hatred and vengeance

For many feel threatened by more than our church

They see how we've filled and prospered the land

The governor was sending occupying troops, I learned

Hyrum came. I knew I was being sent to be slaughtered, just like a lamb

I kissed Emma and each our children, too

"You are coming back,"  Emma said through tears

But I knew this time what the mob would do

And I bravely mounted my horse, and waved off my fears

I was as “Calm As A Summer’s Morning.”

Our horse's gait was steady and strong

I left the peaceful place of Nauvoo

To surrender though I knew they were wrong

And along the street at each gate

In truth, for a last goodbye

Saints stood firm prepared to wave

To call, "I love you!" and to cry

[Verse 1] In haste, I wrote to Governor Ford Assuring compliance, without disturbance The printing press now lay shattered But, still anger rose up against the Saints I was arrested, the charges were baseless But, when I was released, this angered mobs more [Chorus] Calm As A Summer’s Morning Calm As A Summer’s Morning I knew this time what the mob would do And I bravely mounted my horse [Verse 2] Hundreds more now assembled To destroy the temple and burn homes, they swore The enemy thought that to destroy me Would put a final end to our presence But I knew my blood would not put an end To their thirst for more blood, in the spirit of hatred and vengeance [Pre-Chorus] For many feel threatened by more than our church They see how we've filled and prospered the land The governor was sending occupying troops, I learned Hyrum came. I knew I was being sent to be slaughtered, just like a lamb [Chorus] Calm As A Summer’s Morning Calm As A Summer’s Morning I knew this time what the mob would do And I bravely mounted my horse [Bridge] I kissed Emma and each our children, too You are coming back, Emma said through tears But I knew this time what the mob would do And I bravely mounted my horse, and waved off my fears [Verse 3] I was as “Calm As A Summer’s Morning.” Our horse's gait was steady and strong I left the peaceful place of Nauvoo To surrender though I knew they were wrong And along the street at each gate In truth, for a last goodbye Saints stood firm prepared to wave To call, I love you! and to cry [Chorus] Calm As A Summer’s Morning Calm As A Summer’s Morning I knew this time what the mob would do And I bravely mounted my horse

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/saints-v1/44-a-lamb-to-the-slaughter?lang=eng

Read this to get an understanding of that day.  Joseph and Hyrum actually circled back because he ran into the leader of the troop and they wanted the Nauvoo militia to surrender their weapons.  They helped make sure this happened with peace.