Here We Go Again! Day #4

                                                      Back to the trip!!!

     Here is a bit of Mormon pioneer history.  Though, it is reversed. Originally, the pioneers went from Kirkland, OH to Nauvoo, IL.  We did Nauvoo first, Carthage jail then Kirkland (Day 5 is Kirkland).

     This is not the original Temple built in the 1800's, but this one is modeled after it. Both inside and out.  It sits on the hill which overlooks the old city.

This statue is of Joseph Smith Jr. (For those who don't know, Joseph Smith Jr. was the first prophet during these latter days.) and his brother Hyrum during their last ride together.

This may be hard to see.  This is the final burial location of Joseph Smith Jr., his wife Emma and his brother Hyrum Smith. This is located on property held by the Community of Christ, formerly known as RLDS. Something interesting, Joseph and Hyrum' bodies were hidden after their murders.  I believe they were hidden two or three times. Many were worried their bodies would be desecrated.

Just passed this building is the Trail of Hope.  Once known as the Trail of Tears.  This is the road that the pioneers began their trek out west.  One day, I would like to go back here and read the journal entries they have posted along the trail.  The pioneers endured many hardships during these early days of the Church.  However, they established a firm foundation for the Lord's work to go forth! They eventually landed in the Salt Lake area.

While in Nauvoo we visited the brick yard and blacksmith shop and a couple of other homes.  We were a bit rushed, but we certainly felt the spirit of the Lord and of history.

Next we visited Carthage Jail.  Here, Joseph Smith Jr, Hyrum Smith, John Taylor, and Willard Richards were held as prisoners for many obscure reasons.

This is the downstairs prison were they originally stayed.  I found out that there were 8 other men that supported Joseph and Hyrum by sleeping on the floor in this very prison. They volunteered, in other words, they loved the prophet and his brother so much that they stayed in prison with them for a couple of days.  Eventually, Joseph sent them back to their families.

This is the prison guards lodging.  It is downstairs as well.

This prison is upstairs.  I know that it is hard to see.  Just to the left is hay and a mattress where Willard Richards hid John Taylor while the mobs went back outside. The mob, some with their faces painted black had stormed upstairs to this room (next picture.)

This is the room in which the four stayed after the jailers' heart was softened.  They wrote letters, kept journals and even sang songs.  Joseph especially liked A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief.

The mob that came to murder them, some stayed outside and shot up through the windows while the others ran up the stairs and shot into the door.  Here are two ball holes. (not bullets because they used balls back then.)  Hyrum Smith was shot in the face and died, John Taylor was shot in the hip and his pocket watch stop another. Willard Richard received one that only scratched his ear and Joseph Smith was shot twice in the back (upstairs) and once in the chest from downstairs.  He eventually went out a window and landed near the water well. (The window in the above and below picture is the one he went out of.) 

The mob saw that Joseph had gone out the window, so they proceeded back downstairs to confirm his death.  During which time, Willard Richards took the battered John Taylor in to the previously mention prison, where he hid him and they both lived. 

For whatever reason, an individual in the mob yelled, "The mormons are coming." In actuality, no one was coming.  However, it scared off the mob sealing this scene as a testimony and a witness. 

This, the 4th day on our trip, was such a profound experience.  I hope to bring my children and wife back here to share in the spirit and wonder of such beauty!