Here's the next entry about our Nauvoo Trip.
Love, the Newitts
The summary...
WEDNESDAY 8/2/2007
· 9:30am we arrived at Carthage Jail to see the location of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph.
· Gma V, Gma S, Jerry, the boys and I went to the Old Nauvoo Burial Grounds to look for family head stones. There is a memorial board there listing the names of those early saints who died while in Nauvoo.
· We visited the Pioneer Family Living Center and saw demonstrations on weaving, candle making, bread making, spinning, and the kids’ favorite – rope making. We brought home a rope they made!
· We visited the rebuilt Red Brick Store of Joseph Smith. We bought some souvenirs, including root beer!
· We did some souvenir shopping in downtown Nauvoo.
· We walked the temple grounds and the kids were able to see the sun, moon and star stones of the temple exterior.
The details...
WEDNESDAY 8/2/2007
Wednesday began with a 20 minute drive out to Carthage. We wanted to visit the Carthage Jail where the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were martyred. At the Visitors’ Center we were shown a brief film in which LDS and non-LDS gave their thoughts on Joseph Smith. I’d never seen this film before and liked it.
Kyler as the "Key Master"
After the film, we were taken to the jail. Kyler was chosen to be the "Key Master" of our tour. On the main floor of the jail house were the main living quarters of the jailer and his family. Upstairs was the Dungeon Cell and the bedroom of the jailer and his wife. We learned about the many miracles that took place there in the Carthage Jail in order to allow for the testimony of two witnesses to the martyrdom of the Prophet. The beginnings of the miracles was the kindness and report that the jailer’s family showed the prophet and those who were with him. They befriended each other and shared meals together on the main floor of the jail house. The prisoners were even allowed to play with the jailer’s children.
The day the mob attacked, the temperature in the upstairs Dungeon Cell was about 120◦F.
The cell had no air flow and its walls were of stone. (see photo) The only light in the room came from 2 narrow slits in the walls. The jailer moved Joseph and his group into his own bedroom so they could be more comfortable. The jailer left the jail on business, leaving his wife and children downstairs – what a trusting jailer! What trustworthy prisoners! The mob stormed the jail, ran upstairs, and attacked the bedroom. Hyrum died instantly, Willard Richards only had his ear nicked, John Taylor was struck 4 times and rolled under the bed, attempting to preserve his own life. Joseph leaped to the window, possibly to draw the mob’s fire. Once Joseph fell from the window, the mob ran downstairs to investigate. Once the mob left, Bro. Richards took Bro. Taylor to the Dungeon Cell and hid him under the straw-tick mattress, clotting his wounds and preventing him from bleeding to death. They feared the mob would return. However, the mob, once outside, heard someone shout, “The Mormons are coming!” and so they scattered, never returning to the upstairs to kill the witnesses.
In spite of the mob’s actions, the Carthage Jail has become a symbol to me of kindness and trust. It is inspiring to me.
Jerry's group pointing to Brunson name
In the afternoon, while we were at the Old Nauvoo Burial Grounds, we took a picture of the Edmund Durfee grave marker.
Edmund Durfee grave marker
Click image for larger view
We visited the rebuilt Red Brick Store of Joseph Smith. We bought some souvenirs, including root beer! Yummy!! While there, we took a self guided tour of the 2nd floor. This was the room where the first LDS endowments were given because the temple wasn’t ready at that time for su
ch ordinance work. It was also the room where the Relief Society was formally organized. (See photo of Steph & mothers at RS secretary's desk.) I enjoyed imagining the women there in meeting for that historical event! The LDS Relief Society is the oldest woman’s organization in the world! 
Bagpipe Trio at the Grove
Later in the afternoon we followed the sound of the bagpipe trio to one of the Groves downhill from the temple. The early saints met in groves of trees for worship instead of chapels because the building resources were used for the temple, homes & businesses. We sat on rough hewn logs and at the focal point was a rough log pulpit. The actor who portrays Joseph Smith in the pageant came and delivered a part of Joseph Smith’s discourse on eternal families which he gave at Bro. King Follett’s funeral. I was amazed at how the sound carried in the Grove. I enjoyed imagining hundreds of early saints listening to the Prophet Joseph on such an occasion.
After the vignette, we did some
souvenir shopping and then took the kids to the temple and walked the temple grounds. The kids were able to see the sun, moon and star stones of the temple exterior and were excited about touching one of the moon stones near the temple steps.
Our evening ended with the variety show “Sunset on the Mississippi.” Kyler, Gideon and I were recruited to be in the welcoming parade. We met back stage and the boys got their homemade paper hats. Kyler got to hold a small green flag and Gideon got to shake a tambourine. Then we joined the group of children and paraded through the lobby, down through the theater and onto the stage for the flag ceremony. The show was performed by senior missionaries and the young summer performing missionaries. It was incredible! They sang, danced, played musical instruments, performed skits, told jokes … oh, we were laughing up a storm! What a mission to be on! It was a great way to end the evening.
