This is the pathway leading up to the jail. Along this path are a whole bunch of qoutes by the Prophet. It's an amazing walk because it prepares you spiritualy for what you will be seing.
This is the very first thing that you see on the path. It is Joseph Smiths account of his first vision. I can't even describe the spirit you feel in this spot.
One of the many qoutes on the path.
A statue of Joseph and Hyrum right outside the jail.
The back of the jail where Joseph fell from the top window.
Right before we enter the jail.
This picture is mostly for Janie. These nails are square, which means these floor boards are original to the jail.
Natalia was getting tired
When John Taylor was shot and the mob left. They were afraid that they would come back so they took him into the actual jail cell and hid him under the straw. This is what probably saved his life. The pressure from the straw and it pushing into his wound kept him from bleeding to death. I never knew that part of the story which was amazing.
Something else I learned was that the family lived in the Jail. It was actually a home to the sheriffs family. They had no problem with Joseph and found him a very nice person. They actually on many occasions would eat dinner with the family. It was rather hot upstairs so much of the time he would bring them downstairs to a small cell down their where it was cooler. On the day the Prophet was killed the jailer was out of the house and decided to put them upstairs while he was gone for fear that they would try to shoot him through the windows of the room. When the mob came in they stormed the house and the family immediatly left for fear of their lives. Then it continued with the account we know today. (Some of this might be slightly off because of poor memory.)
The window that Joseph fell out of.
This is the original door with the bullet holes in it. It was replaced at one point when the jail was bought for a house. Through journals they were able to find the orginal door and restore it to the same door frame.
The window that he fell from when he was shot.
This is the well that he fell by.
I love this gospel and I am so grateful for a Prophet that was willing to give his life for this gospel and for me. Because of him I am able to be a member of this church and have the knowledge and blessing to be sealed to my family for eternity. 
Carthage Jail is a sad place because of what happened there. But, it has now become a sacred and holy place where you can physically and spiritually feel the testimony of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. If you can only see one thing around Nauvoo and you had to pick, Carthage Jail would have to be the place to visit.
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