Church History Matters - Episode 166: "What You Never Knew About Liberty Jail" with Alex Baugh

Podcast: Church History Matters by Scripture Central
Date: October 16, 2025
Host(s): Scott & Casey
Guest: Dr. Alex Baugh, BYU Professor and expert on the Missouri period of Latter-day Saint history

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the pivotal role and lesser-known details of Liberty Jail during the Missouri period of early Latter-day Saint history. Hosts Scott and Casey are joined by Dr. Alex Baugh, a leading scholar on Mormon Missouri history. Together, they trace the road to Liberty Jail, the conditions endured there, and the revelations and insights that emerged from Joseph Smith’s imprisonment. The conversation dispels persistent myths and reflects on the spiritual and historical legacy of this defining trial.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. How Alex Baugh Became the Leading Expert on Liberty Jail (04:10–07:21)

• Dr. Baugh shares his academic journey and what drew him to study the tumultuous Missouri period of Church history.

  "I ran into all the right people... those directed reading classes can do a lot. So anyway, that kind of launched my interest in the period of history basically again, northern Missouri." – Alex Baugh (05:31)

• He details how collaboration and research into primary sources ignited his passion for both the broader conflict and specifically for Liberty Jail.

2. Context: The Missouri Mormon War and Road to Liberty Jail (07:21–18:01)

• Dr. Baugh outlines three periods:

  • Jackson County (1831–33): Saints expelled and received temporary welcome in Clay County, but were never expected to stay long-term.
  • Creation of Caldwell County (1836): A unique political compromise gives the Saints their own county, but as Kirtland collapses, more Saints pour in, creating pressures.
  • Conflicts in Davies and Caldwell Counties (1838): Saints’ expansion northward causes local settlers to feel threatened, leading to escalating tensions and violence.

• The Election Day Battle at Gallatin (13:39): Heightened animosity because Saints, seen as outsiders, tried voting, violating social expectations to ‘stay in their Mormon box.’

• Hans Mill Massacre: Highlighted as a tragic, rapidly escalating result of these hostilities, occurring even in what was considered the Latter-day Saint “safe zone.”

  "The Mormons living at Hans Mill were just innocent victims. They hadn't done anything to anybody. They were just their own little hamlet." – Alex Baugh (16:05)

3. The Role and Myth of the Danites (18:01–22:25)

• The Danites are described as a paramilitary group that sometimes overstepped their mandate, blending legitimate defense with problematic vigilantism.
• Their actions contributed to outside perceptions of Mormons as dangerous, leading to Governor Boggs’s Extermination Order.

  "I think a lot of Latter Day Saints might have this conception that he was saying it was legal to kill Latter Day Saints. It didn't go that far... it was, let's try to get them to capitulate." – Alex Baugh (19:33)

4. The Arrests and Transfer to Liberty Jail (22:25–29:40)

• After the state militia subdues Far West, Joseph Smith and other leaders are betrayed under the guise of negotiation and arrested (Oct 31, 1838).
• Prisoners are cycled through Independence Jail and Richmond Jail before settling in Liberty Jail.
• Insights into the makeshift holding conditions in Richmond and the nature of the legal hearings that determined probable cause for further imprisonment.

5. Inside Liberty Jail: Conditions and Experience (29:40–36:22)

• Structure: Small, formidable (22’ x 22.5’ walls, 4 feet thick), two floors (upper for daytime, lower “dungeon” at night), minimal light.

  "On the inside, it's 14ft by 14 and a half feet. That's... a very secure place." – Alex Baugh (30:26)

• Environment: Very dark, cold ("Missouri cold is cold"), poor ventilation, and limited furnishings—but there was an upstairs stove.
• Jail Life: Most time spent upstairs during daylight; locked below at night; prisoners could have some visitors and even received meals from the jailer’s wife (for a fee).
• Mental toll of confinement and persistent chill are emphasized; popular myths about the jail being an endless dungeon busted.

6. Myths Surrounding Liberty Jail (37:39–41:01)

• Mormon Beef Legend: Stories alleging the prisoners were fed human flesh are debunked.

  "There is no way. Joseph Smith said in these accounts and the others, the food was coarse... but it wasn't human flesh." – Alex Baugh (39:28)

• Attorney oversight and historical sources confirm that prisoner abuse of that nature was not possible.

• Prisoner Movement: Prisoners occasionally allowed outside for exercise and even borrowed books from local attorneys; escape attempts did occur but were foiled.

7. Visitors and Family Interactions (43:13–47:20)

• Emma Smith visited Joseph multiple times, sometimes staying overnight and bringing Joseph Smith III.
• Other wives—Mary Fielding Smith, Phoebe Rigdon, Eunice McCrae, Harriet White—also visited.

  "Emma comes three times... she brought Joseph Smith III with her." – Alex Baugh (43:23)

• Attorneys like Doniphan and Burnett were frequent visitors, alongside numerous others (70+ noted in Lyman Wight’s journal).

8. Interpreting the Extermination Order and Law Enforcement (47:20–53:06)

• Once the Saints began complying by leaving Missouri, the most acute hostilities subsided.
• Dr. Baugh clarifies that the extermination order, though hostile, was meant as forced removal, not explicit legalized violence.

9. Escape Attempts and Final Days in Jail (49:29–53:37)

• Two main escape attempts: one involving external associates (Feb 7, 1839), and another using tools to breach the wall.
• Central teaching: The foiled attempts indirectly led to Joseph Smith’s powerful letters, now found in Doctrine & Covenants 121–123.

10. Teachings & Writings from Liberty Jail (53:37–58:06)

• Key Letters: Joseph Smith’s letters during confinement are sources of modern scripture and personal reflection.

  "Trials will only give us that knowledge to understand the minds of the ancients. For my part, I think I never could have felt as I do now if I had not suffered the wrongs that I have suffered." – Joseph Smith letter, quoted by Alex Baugh (54:44)

• Reflections on empathy, resilience, and revelation under duress.

• Profound literary and spiritual statements issued during these months, including personal testimony and the assertion that:

  "The things of God are of deep import and time and experience and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out..." – Joseph Smith, quoted by Alex Baugh (57:07)

• Notable Quote:

  "Hell may pour forth its rage like the burning lava of Mount Vesuvius... yet shall Mormonism stand. Truth is Mormonism. God is the author of it..." – Joseph Smith, quoted by Alex Baugh (58:27)

11. The Legend of Joseph’s Dog, Major (61:03–62:39)

• Dr. Baugh unpacks stories suggesting Joseph Smith’s dog, an English mastiff named Major, joined him in jail.

  "...when he was a prisoner in Missouri, that dog could not be separated from him. And for months when he slept, that dog always remained awake by his side." – Alex Baugh quoting a contemporary (61:03)

12. Sidney Rigdon’s Release (63:06–66:47)

• Rigdon, weakened by illness, gave a dramatic and moving personal defense, leading to his release.
• His freedom was both a result of his oratory and his poor health; precautions were taken to ensure safe return.

13. The Legacy: Liberty Jail as Transformation for Joseph Smith (68:05–69:18)

• Dr. Baugh and the hosts agree that Liberty Jail represented a profound turning point in Joseph Smith’s spiritual leadership:

  "This whole experience changes him in a lot of ways... when he comes out of liberty jail, he's absolutely fearless... It prepared him for the martyrdom. I really believe that." – Alex Baugh (68:05)

14. Dr. Baugh’s Testimony and Reflections (69:18–71:03)

• Deep study of this period only increased his conviction in the Restoration:

  "The more I read, the more I study, the more I try to understand, the more I believe... there's so much of the hand of God in the life of Joseph Smith." – Alex Baugh (69:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Is that not powerful? We are going to win this... This is a turning point in Joseph's life... when he comes out of Liberty Jail, he's absolutely fearless. It prepared him for the martyrdom. I really believe that." – Alex Baugh (00:00)
• "Emma comes three times... She brought Joseph Smith III with her." – Alex Baugh (43:23)
• "Joseph said... it seems to me my heart will always be more tender after this than before. It was a refining, humbling, soul searching experience." – Alex Baugh (54:44)
• "Hell may pour forth its rage like the burning lava of Mount Vesuvius... yet shall Mormonism stand. Truth is Mormonism. God is the author of it..." – Joseph Smith, quoted by Alex Baugh (58:27)
• On the Liberty Jail “Mormon beef” myth: "There is no way. Joseph Smith said in these accounts and the others, the food was coarse... but it wasn't human flesh." – Alex Baugh (39:28)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Alex Baugh’s path to church history: 04:10–07:21
• Missouri conflict context: 07:21–18:01
• Danites explanation: 18:01–22:25
• Transfer through multiple jails: 22:25–29:40
• Liberty Jail conditions: 29:40–36:22
• Debunking jail myths: 37:39–41:01
• Family visits: 43:13–47:20
• Extermination order’s impact: 47:20–53:06
• Escape attempts: 49:29–53:37
• Teachings from Liberty Jail: 53:37–58:06
• Major the dog: 61:03–62:39
• Rigdon’s release: 63:06–66:47
• Joseph’s transformation: 68:05–69:18
• Baugh’s testimony: 69:18–71:03

Tone and Style

• Warm and scholarly, encouraging thoughtful engagement, curiosity, and reverence for the historical record.
• The hosts convey deep respect for Dr. Baugh’s expertise and clear affection for the human stories within the history.
• Humor and personal anecdotes (e.g., Joseph’s dog, measurements of the jail door) add accessibility and personality.

Further Learning

• Dr. Baugh’s works are available via BYU and in church history publications.
• Recommended reading: Hans Mill (History of the Saints), chapters in The Mormon Wars, and Baugh’s dissertation, A Call to Arms.

Final Reflection

Liberty Jail isn’t just a place of suffering—it is remembered as an unlikely crucible where Joseph Smith was transformed as a prophet and leader, where courage, insight, and revelation flourished under intense pressure. Far from being solely a story of persecution, it is a testament to resilience, divine purpose, and the emergence of some of the Restoration’s most powerful teachings.