These two paintings hang in the Liberty Jail Visitor's Centre. They highlight the tragic events, on both sides of the wall, that occurred during the time that the Prophet was in Liberty Jail. Emma and children suffering expulsion from Missouri and Joseph suffering cold, illness and iscolation in the jail.
In contrast to my experience in Independence, Liberty was everything I expected. Of all the periods of Church history, this was a place I could visualise the most. It is hard to comprehend what the Prophet and others experienced during their time in Liberty, but I can certainly appreciate it. I expected the worst and was not surprised by what we heard. It must have been the worst of times, because not only were he and four other men suffering in deprivation but the saints, including his own family, were being viciously removed from their homes and forced, in the dead of winter, to leave yet again.
The upstairs room of Liberty Jail.
A view of the lower storey of the jail where the prisoners where held. Only one of the six men could stand up straight. It had only two very small window openings for light and fresh air and a trapdoor and a rope in the roof to get in and out with.
However, through adversity comes blessings and enlightenment. During these trials the Prophet was able to receive some of the most comforting revelations we have in the Doctrine and Covenants. I am grateful for that. I am also grateful that he survived this time and was able to go on to accomplish some of the greatest outcomes of his calling.
The jail is reconstructed, with much of the original brick-work, within the visitor's centre in order to preserve it from the harsh weather.
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