Liberty Jail tour

Hey everyone! My post today is going to be kind of short but I wanted to recap my weekend! My mom came to Kansas!! She came to watch my first real college duel meet and to come explore Lawrence. I haven't gotten to do much of that since I don't have a car so a lot of the things we did were my first time as well. First she took me to costa Vida! Then we went to Costco and just drove around going to stores. We went to a huge lake that is 10 mins from me that I've never seen and we went to church. It is exactly what I miss from home. The everyday hanging out and running errands. Having even one person from home made here feel so much more like home. I can't wait to keep having visitors. Kansas isn't actually that boring! and then to the Liberty jail sight!

This place was amazing. I never really pictured it quite like this. As you can see in the pictures, there were two levels in the jail. During the day they were allowed upstairs with supervision. This is where they got to eat. Then every night they were forced back down the ladder. The ceiling was about 6'4 feet tall. Most of the men including Joseph Smith could stand, but they crouched most of the time because it was very close. The basement had absolutely no light except from the little windows on the sides. Through the windows, mobs would come and yell and say mean things to Joseph and the others in the jail. The jail was insulated by 4 feet of wood and stone, so there was no way out and it was very cold in there especially because he was there during the winter season. Most nights they didn't sleep and some days they couldn't even eat because they were so weak. To me this is a very un- survivable trial. But, something that the tour guide said was the "this is viewed as a place of sufferings, but really is was a place of immense growth of faith. Joseph Smith managed to write 29 pages while in jail that are now sections 121,122, and 123. These sections are full of so much light and hope. The lord promised he would be okay and that this was necessary for the church and his leadership. It took more faith than I could imagine for Joseph to overcome this trial. He came out more confident and a better President of the church.

I keep thinking about this and no matter where you are and how hard or uncomfortable your trial may be right now, the lord will help you overcome it and make you a better person than you were before. He loves you and me and will always give us guidance and hope if we believe in him.

<3 elliott