If the Documentary History of the Church tells about the guns, then the Church is not suppressing or whitewashing the story as you and Mr. McKeever would have us believe. Indeed, a June 1994 article in the Church's Magazine, the Ensign, mentions the weapons:
The four men had two firearms among them, left behind by friends: a single-shot pistol Joseph had passed to Hyrum and a six-shot pistol, called a pepperbox, which the Prophet retained. They also had two walking canes: a large hickory stick called a “rascal-beater” and a smaller walking cane. Joseph’s companions had used both to beat back the rabble while making their way from the Hamilton House to the jail two days earlier.Unfortunately, we will have to take Mr. McKeever's word for what some tour guide may or may not have said on the subject.
Hyrum Smith took a bullet through the door... Joseph Smith then reacts by pulling his gun out of his pocket, opens the door and attempts to unload all 6 shots -- 3 misfire, he shoots 3 and kills 2.
So much for your theory that the mob began shooting because they saw the gun in Joseph's hand.
Of course, it was not much of a theory to begin with: the mob had already shot and killed Hyrum through the door of the room. Even if he had drawn his weapon, no one in the mob could have seen it.
No, the members of the mob were not fired upon, threatened, or otherwise incited by Joseph Smith or any of his companions. The mob murdered Joseph and Hyrum Smith (and severely wounded John Taylor) in cold blood, and before either could stand trial.
. . . only being able to get out the initial part of the Masonic distress signal, "Oh lord my God..." -- as if it was a direct greeting to God.
Since no one but Joseph Smith and God can know what was going through Joseph's mind—or what he might have said next—this is all speculation. It certainly sounds as if Joseph was calling to God. Even if he intended to give the Masonic distress call, that it still a call to God—the Masons, so far as I know, believe in God.
The fact remains, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were lynched by a mob. Surely you are not making excuses for the actions of the mob, are you?
Roberts wrote DHC in 1902. What I was referencing, whitewash-wise, is what the Lds portrays...
...by Carthage Jail tour guides...
...Joseph Smith Memorial Building [film recreation of his death, where, of course, they never show him going for his pistol]
...other Lds articles in more recent times that fail to mention the shootout
Joe and Hi were in jail for destruction of private property.
Surely you're not advocating destruction of private property; are you?