Free Guided LDS Tour of Carthage Jail

Visiting the Assassination Site of Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith

Aug 6, 2009 Jenny Evans

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gives free guided tours of Carthage Jail where visitors can learn about the last days and minutes of Joseph Smith, Jr.

People interested in the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should make a visit to Carthage, Illinois. The Carthage Jail is the site of LDS Church prophet Joseph Smith's murder, and the murder of his brother, Hyrum Smith.

Free guided tours are available at the LDS-owned property where Joseph Smith died in 1844.

LDS Visitor's Center at Carthage Jail

Located right next to the jail, the Carthage LDS visitor's center houses art depicting the life of Joseph Smith. Free tours start in the center every 15 minutes. Address and hours of operation for the visitor's center are:

Marion Street and Highway 136, Carthage IL
May 17 - September 7: Open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
September 8 - May 15, 2010: Open Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The LDS visitor's center at Carthage also has outdoor gardens and a life-sized statue of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, who were killed at Carthage Jail.

Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith

On June 27, 1844, Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, John Taylor and Willard Richards were in an upstairs room at Carthage Jail when an armed mob of 150 to 200 people ran up the stairs. As Joseph Smith and his companions tried to hold the door shut, the mob shot through the door, killing Hyrum.

The mob forced their way into the room, wounding John Taylor seriously with four shots. Joseph Smith fired back three shots in defense. He was shot in the windowsill and fell to the ground outside. The mob ran out and after making sure Joseph was dead, disappeared.

Willard Richards ran from the room, fearing that the mob would come back. John Taylor had rolled under the bed and asked him to "take him along." Richards hid him in a cell down the hall under a mattress to protect him in case the mob returned.

Tour Schedule and Layout of Carthage Jail

Tours of Carthage Jail begin from the visitor's center with an 18-minute film called Impressions of a Prophet. The film depicts the events of Joseph Smith's life and mission. The tour guide then takes the group into Carthage Jail to see the following locations:

The first floor parlor. The jailer and his family permanently resided in Carthage Jail, and the small parlor was their kitchen, living and dining area, and guest room.
The first floor debtor's prison. Criminals considered not dangerous were kept in this room without bars on the windows. Smith initially stayed here before moving upstairs.
The second floor dungeon cell. This stone room had narrow slits for windows and kept the prisoners tightly locked behind bars. Smith was only here for a few hours before the jailer let him stay in his bedroom while he slept downstairs in the parlor.
The second floor bedroom, sometimes called the "martyrdom room." This is the room where Hyrum and Joseph Smith were shot and killed.

In the martyrdom room, people will listen to an audio recording of portions of John Taylor's account of the events of June 27, 1844.

History of Carthage Jail

The original construction of the jail took place in 1839 or 1840. It was used for a jail for a time, then it was sold and converted into a private residence. The LDS church bought the building and land in 1903, eventually restoring the building to its original appearance in 1938.

Historic Nauvoo - Nearby Church History Site

About 25 miles northwest of Carthage Jail is Nauvoo, Illinois. From 1839 to 1846 the LDS church was headquartered and gathered here. The LDS church has purchased and restored many sites in historic Nauvoo and runs many free tours and demonstrations throughout the area.

Visitors to Carthage Jail can see for themselves the places where Joseph Smith lived his last days on earth, remembering his life and work as the first prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

More detailed information about the events of June 10 - 27, 1844 can be found in the article Joseph Smith's Death.

The copyright of the article Free Guided LDS Tour of Carthage Jail in Mormonism is owned by Jenny Evans. Permission to republish Free Guided LDS Tour of Carthage Jail in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Jail Exterior; Joseph Smith Fell from Top Window	Statue of Hyrum and Joseph; Carthage Jail in Back	Front Entrance to Carthage Jail
Joseph Smith's Martyrdom Room