Carthage Jail

Poppa and I served at the Carthage Jail yesterday.  This is the jail where Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were martyred.  There is a visitors center where a short video is shown about Joseph's life up until the time he left Nauvoo to go to Carthage to answer an unfounded charge of treason against the United States.  After that we take visitors into the jail itself, where the jailer, George Stigal, lived with his wife and seven children.  They are able to tour the summer kitchen, dining room, main kitchen, dungeon cell where Jospeh and the others were originally held until it became too hot, the debtors cell on the ground floor where Mr. Stigall put them next, and finally the Stigall's own bedroom on the second floor where he put them when he became alarmed for their safety below.  Mr. Stigall was out on an errand when the mob storned the jail.  We play a tape in the martyrdom room that describes what happened when the mob came up the stairs and fired through the door, killing Hyrum, wounding John Taylor and finally killing Joseph.  Ironically it is one of the most peaceful places I can think of.  A place where a prophet of God finished the work that was given him to do and then stepped through the portal with his brother and into the presence of the Savior.  What a privilege to take visitors there, bear our testimonies and feel the Spirit that is there. 

Tonight we had a midwest thunderstorm.  Amazing!  The enitre sky lights up.  Its like daylight and its almost continuous.  The thunder is continuous.  A rumble that just goes on and on, rolling across the landscape until its finally out of hearing.  Temperature in the 80's today.  Tomorrow the high is supposed to be in the 40's.  Our Prep day, of course.  Oh well.  Better luck next week maybe.