the trip to carthage

walking on the grounds of the carthage jail leaves one to ponder how such a barbaric, cowardice act could happen in this sleepy little town, on this quiet and peaceful setting. Joseph knew he would not return to see his family, he knew his martyrdom was necessary in order for the church and its people to grow; he knew he had done all that was required, as on the afternoon of his death he wrote to his sweetheart Emma, " i am satisfied with the work i have done, give my love to the children and may God bless you."

The mob, which some reports say numbered over 100 men, some with blackened faces rushed the jail with one thought in mind... kill the mormon leader, old Joe Smith and his brother Hyrum. just after 5:00 pm, the deed was done, first Hyrum was hit, leaning all of his 6' 2" frame against the door taking a bullet in the cheek and died instantly, John Taylor fell next taking a bullet in the hip, falling back toward the window, then Joseph taking two bullets in the back through the window and two in the chest... then he fell, " Oh my Lord, my God."

the prophet Joseph was dead.

i went through the tour of the jail twice, once by a senior missionary from outside Boise and once by a sis. missionary from New Zealand. both had been on the property all summer long giving countless tours and no doubt knew the script and story by heart. i would have thought, that after all this time on the site, they would be numb or somewhat guarded about their true feelings toward the prophet, masking their appreciation, their love and feelings toward him... how wrong i was.

both got emotional as they bore their testimony of the prophet, Br. Gale broke down at least 4 times during the course of a 20 minute presentation often pausing to contain his emotions before being able to go forward. One of the CD's i bought on the trip, (and i've bought a few) is titled, "they knew the prophet" which has over 100 accounts of people's feelings for the Prophet Joseph... " i am unable to discribe my sensations when in the presence of this wonderful man... i have never heard any human voice, not even my mother's, that was so attractive to me." Even his bitterest enemies, if they had the privilege of hearing him speak, became mollified, and forgot their anger... "General Wilson rode with Joseph to his trial in Missouri and said, " He was a very remarkable man. I carried him into my house a prisoner in chains, and in less than 2 hours my wife loved him better than she did me." some were for him, some against, yet all seemed to come away with a sense of awe... he carried the mantle of authority and calling of a prophet well.

John Taylor stated, "Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save it be Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it... and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood." I believe that, his people believed that, satan and his followers believed that and today thousands upon thousand throughout the world believe that.

this trip has given me a much deeper testimony, a greater gratitude and appreciation for the prophet Joseph. other than the Savior, there is no other man i desire more to meet, to listen to, talk with, and personally thank. i have a feeling he would welcome the conversation, invite others to come along and we'd end up in some sporting or service activity, enjoying each others company not wanting it to end.

you feel his spirit, innocence and desire to know the truth in Palmyra, you feel his love for family, hard work and integrity on the Smith farm; you marvel at the industry and dedication of the people in Kirtland; you feel Joseph's spirit and preparation of his people on the grounds of the "land beautiful" Nauvoo; you feel of his love and calling, in the testimony of those who walk where he walked and tell his story, the story of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

i thank Br. Gale for bearing his testimony and letting his feelings for the prophet come to the surface over and over again, i too love the Prophet, A Man of God... Joseph Smith


a view from inside the jail... the stairs the mob came up, the upstairs window the prophet fell from, the actual bullet holes in the door and if you look close by the lock.

The prophet and 10 others who came in support of Joseph and Hyrum, stayed in three different rooms in the jail. the first was the barred room upstairs, the temperatures rose to over 110 degrees in the jail that first day, so the jail keepers, knowing they weren't hardened criminals, moved them to the downstairs debtors cell on the main floor where it was cooler and the open windows would let the afternoon breeze pass through. after a day of getting to know the prophet, and fearing for his safety, the jailers felt compelled to give up their own room , as the mob could easily see and shoot through the downstairs window, moving down to the parlor to sleep, so the prophet and his associates would be more comfortable.

the conspiracy to kill the Prophet ran deep. the bar on the outside door at the bottom of the stairs would normally have a cross bar to reinforce it... as you can see below it was set aside and the door left unlocked. the nauvoo greys who were sent to protect the prisoners were issued guns with only powder... no bullets. it was said the greys guarding the door simply shot their muskets in the air and moved aside to let the mob through as none of them were injured.

after the prophet fell from the window, the mob rushed downstairs to see if he was dead. Someone in the crowd yelled, "the mormons are coming" and the cowardice mob fled, fearing the Nauvoo legion was coming or revenge. by morning the next day, the entire town of carthage was evacuated, fearing the mormon's would burn the town, yet the mormon's didn't come following the counsel of willard richards to "keep the peace," as he had given his word to the leaders of carthage as they returned to Nauvoo with the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum.