Liberty Jail – This week marks the anniversary of when Joseph Smith, jun., who was imprisoned in Liberty jail, Mo., wrote an excellent epistle of what is now D&C 121-123.
Thirteen miles north of the Independence Visitor’s Center, Joseph Smith was a prisoner here from December 1838 until he was allowed to escape in May 1839. Conditions were harsh and made doubly so for Joseph because of the brutality of the Missouri Militia upon the Saints while he was there. It was a growing experience for Joseph Smith and some of the greatest sections of the D&C were received there as mentioned above.
Alexander W. Doniphan, who courageously represented Joseph Smith as his lawyer here and in Richmond, is buried in the Liberty Cemetery, though he was a native of Richmond. Those held prisoner at Liberty Jail were: Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Caleb Baldwin, Alexander McCrea. Those held prisoner at Richmond Jail were: Parley P. Pratt, King Follet, Darwin Chase, Norman Shearer, Luman Gibbs, Morris Phelps.
For more Missouri Sites – See our Missouri/Nauvoo/Winter Quarter Tour Page
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