Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Serving in Carthage

Friday, August 27, 2010
We finally had the opportunity to serve for the day at Carthage. We have been looking forward to being assigned there. Our shift was from 1-7, so we waited all morning to go, and have been studying all week to learn the whole script. We greet the guests and then show an 18 minute movie. As we take those on our tour through the jail, more of the story unfolds, and the spirit grows. We walk through the summer kitchen and then into the jailor's living area. This is where Mrs. Stigall, the jailor's wife, was working when two shots were fired in her direction. She grabbed her two little girls from the bed and ran out the side door to hide.
The debtor's cell is where all ten men, some here to support the Prophet, spent the first night on the floor.
Upstairs is the dungeon room, where Willard Richard hid John Taylor under the straw, thereby saving him from bleeding to death. Finally, we take them into the martyrdom room, where the seven men spent the second night. Here is where Joseph gave his last prophecy to Dan Jones, that he would serve a mission in Wales, which he did, converting 6,000 people. It is also where John Fullmer and Joseph Smith talked about death, and Joseph expressed a desire to speak to his family and the Saints just one last time. After that night, those two men and Stephen Markham were sent away from the jail.
We then play a four minute tape of the events of this room, after which I have a chance to bear my testimony that Joseph and his brother Hyrum did seal their testimonies with their blood. Enemies thought the work would die when Joseph did, but there are now millions who revere him as a prophet. The Saints of Nauvoo did not retaliate, but continued to live the best they could.
The hours serving at Carthage flew by, and it was wonderful to be able to share this story.
Everyone who comes is visibly touched, member or not. We hope to be able to serve here again.

1 comment:

  1. it all comes back like it was yesterday that script was told to me. I'm sure you guys did great

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