Liberty Jail Historic Site commemorates 40 years
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LIBERTY, MO. — The Liberty Jail Historic Site commemorated its 40th anniversary Sept. 20 with a program of music and speeches.
Famous in Church history as the site where the Prophet Joseph Smith, his brother Hyrum and four other Church leaders were unjustly confined during the winter of 1838-39, the site was dedicated as a visitor attraction on Sept. 15, 1963, by President Joseph Fielding Smith, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve.
"President David O. McKay was originally scheduled to dedicate the site," said the current site director J. Derle Thorpe. "Illness prevented him from traveling, and the assignment was given to [President] Joseph Fielding Smith — a fitting substitution because his grandfather, Hyrum Smith, was one of the prisoners here."
Elder Thorpe said the jail was reconstructed using floor stones and some footing and foundation stones from the original structure. "Early visitors remember the duplicate jail standing by itself," he said. "An octagon structure was built around the jail to protect it, and visitors facilities were added."
Today, a cut-away replica of the jail is featured in the basement of the visitors center with a diorama and audio-visual presentation depicting events when the Church leaders were imprisoned there. Revelations now recorded as Sections 121 and 122 of the Doctrine and Covenants were given to the Prophet while he was imprisoned in Liberty Jail.
Elder Thorpe conducted the commemorative program highlighting the past, present and future. It featured all full-time missionaries now serving at the historic site. Elder Lynn Page recounted the history of the area and the construction of the original jail, including preservation of the site.
Vignettes at the site have featured local members representing Joseph and Emma Smith and the jailer, Sam Tillery. "To commemorate these portrayals, which were enacted regularly on weekends during the busy summer months, the senior missionaries presented a new vignette featuring the wives of the men in prison," Elder Thorpe said.
Diaries of the prisoners comment on the comfort and solace they received from the singing of fellow prisoner Alexander McRae. "His magnificent voice was matched by local brother Nick King," Elder Thorpe said, "singing two beautiful hymns from the 1835 hymn book compiled by Emma Smith. Other hymns were sung by the young sister missionaries, including one called 'Liberty Jail,' which featured original words by Sister Jennifer Jenkins."
At the close of the program, missionaries and the congregation sang "Praise to the Man" and "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet."
A home built on the site, thus preserving it, was used as a meeting place for the Liberty Branch and home for missionaries, Elder Thorpe noted. "The history of the home was detailed by Milton Rogers, long-time resident and the first branch president.
"The concluding speakers included local members Frank Hamer and Sheryl Gallagher, who told of the role the historic site played in their conversion to the Church."
