Church History Matters – Episode 152: D&C 101 CFM – Why Zion Fell and The Saints Were Driven Out

Date: September 4, 2025
Hosts: Scott and Casey (Scripture Central)

Overview

In this episode, Scott and Casey dig deep into Doctrine and Covenants Section 101, a pivotal revelation addressing the dramatic expulsion of Latter-day Saints from Jackson County, Missouri, in late 1833. They explore why Zion fell, the Lord's direct responses to Joseph Smith’s inquiries, and how these historical events shaped Latter-day Saint identity. The episode not only covers the hardship and turmoil faced by the Saints but also examines the profound theological and historical implications of these events, including perspectives on sanctification, millennial hope, and social justice.

Key Themes and Structure of D&C 101

• Immediate Context: The violent forced expulsion of Saints from Jackson County, their petitions for redress, and the Lord's response through revelation.
• Main Themes: Why the Lord allowed these calamities, how Zion would ultimately be redeemed, practical counsel for dislocated Saints, and hopeful glimpses of millennial glory.
• Section Breakdown:
  • 1–8: Why did God allow Zion’s affliction?
  • 9–23: Comfort and assurances for the pure in heart.
  • 23–42: Vivid millennial promises and vision.
  • 43–62: The parable of the nobleman and the vineyard – how Zion is to be redeemed.
  • 63–75: Counsel to Saints outside Missouri—how they can help.
  • 76–101: Direct advice for those scattered, including legal recourse and doctrinal reflections on liberty.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historical Setting: The Crisis in Zion

• Expulsion Context: After tensions and legal struggles, violence erupted in Jackson County (31 Oct–7 Nov 1833). Mobs burned homes, threatened lives, and ultimately drove 1,200 Saints into wilderness and Clay County.

  • [04:32] Notable Quote:
    Parley P. Pratt (eyewitness):
    "It is indescribable...every member of the society was driven from the county..."

• Failed Appeals: Attempts by Saints, including legal petitions and appeals to Missouri Governor Dunklin, were met with further violence and limited official support.

2. Why Zion Fell (D&C 101:1–8)

• The Lord plainly says calamity came “in consequence of their transgressions.”

  • [12:01] Casey:
    "The collective body of these roughly 1,200 saints did not merit the Lord's protection...because their transgressions were too much. Yet...this real world consequence can act as a sanctifying experience for them if they allow it."

• Sins included “jarrings...contentions...covetous desires” (v. 6), and the Saints’ neglect in hearkening to the Lord’s counsel.

• Yet, even amidst chastening, the Lord will “own them” and “not utterly cast them off.”

3. Words of Comfort and Big-Picture Hope

• [14:08] Scott:
  "Let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion, for all flesh is in my hands. Be still and know that I am God."
• Despite being scattered, Zion’s holy location will not be moved; the pure in heart “shall return...with songs of everlasting joy.”

4. Millennial Promises (D&C 101:23–42)

• The Lord shifts the focus from present trials to the glories of the Millennial Day.

  • No more corruption, enmity, or death. All hidden things—cosmic and spiritual—will be revealed.
  • [16:17] Casey:
    "All the things that are causing the Saints such pain and discomfort...won't exist anymore in that day."
  • [20:13] Casey:
    "There will come a time when I will let you know all things. There will be no uncertainty."

• Connection to Hymn “Now Let Us Rejoice” (WW Phelps)—written in exile as a hopeful reflection on these promises.

  • [20:44] Scott:
    "I can't sing Hymn #3 without thinking of the Missouri persecutions...it's always been a really hopeful song."

5. The Parable of the Nobleman and the Vineyard (D&C 101:43–62)

• The Parable: The Saints (olive trees), leaders (watchmen), and temple (tower); failure to complete the tower (temple) led to vulnerability.
  • [24:11] Casey:
    "They weren't malicious. They were just sort of neglectful and slothful."
• The Lord outlines that Zion will be redeemed, possibly through collective action (a foreshadow of Zion’s Camp), but notes the timing (“after many days”) is the Lord’s own.
• Interpretive Insight:
  The parable is explained in D&C 103 and connected to Joseph Smith leading Zion’s Camp, though ultimate redemption remains open-ended and contingent on righteousness.

6. Practical Counsel for Saints (D&C 101:63–101)

• Orderly Gathering and Purchasing Land: Saints are instructed to pool resources and acquire land peacefully rather than via violence—showing faith in lawful means.

  • [34:22] Scott:
    "We have everything we need right now to redeem Zion, were the branches of the church willing to hearken to my voice."

• Legal Recourse and the Constitution: Saints are to “importune for redress” from judges, governors, and the President, highlighting God’s endorsement of constitutional principles of liberty and accountability.

  • [35:30] Casey:
    "The U.S. Constitution was established to protect and ensure the rights of all mankind to act according to their own God given moral agency."

• Enduring Bondage and Slavery:
  The Lord condemns slavery and any form of bondage (v.79), with ramifications for 19th-century American society and Latter-day Saint racial attitudes.

  • [44:40] Casey:
    "But it does seem clear that in Section 101, in this early context...the Lord's saying, nah, it's not right. It's not right and it can't be justified."
  • [46:45] Casey (citing President Dallin H. Oaks):
    “All such attitudes and official practices were outlawed for us by the Lord's 1833 revelation to the prophet Joseph Smith that it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another.”

• The Saints’ Own Imperfection:
  Acknowledgement that the Saints themselves have sometimes failed to live up to these ideals, but are called onward to higher ground.

  • [49:32] Casey:
    "I don't think there's ever been any people that have lived up completely and totally to the ideals... But we have made progress when it comes to this kind of issue. But we still have quite a ways to go."

Memorable Quotes & Segments

• [01:48] Scott:
  "Doctrine and Covenants 101 is received on the 16th of December 1833. And to summarize, it's the Lord's response to Joseph Smith's urgent inquiries...”

• [04:32] Parley P. Pratt’s account:
  "Whipped and beaten in a savage manner... The scene was indescribable, Parley says, and I am sure would have melted the hearts of any people upon ear except our blind oppressors..."

• [16:17] Casey:
  "A lot of times when we get caught up in the middle of difficulty, the Lord sometimes pulls us back and says, look at the big picture."

• [44:40] Casey:
  "Does the Lord condemn slavery in this section at this time? ...the Lord saying, nah, it's not right. It's not right and it can't be justified."

• [46:45] Casey (quoting Pres. Oaks):
  "Any personal attitudes or official practices of racism involve one group who God created exercising authority or advantage over another group..."

• [57:20] Casey (summative reflection):
  "These are all stops on the road to Zion, which we're still traveling on today. Like, we're going to get there someday... all these difficulties... are part of the crucible that really does change us from a religion to a people."

Consequences and Outcomes

• The Saints’ legal petitions ultimately failed at every level—even though the Missouri Governor and Attorney General took notable action, anti-Mormon bias among local officials thwarted justice.
• Zion's Camp was organized as a peaceful, defensive measure, not offensive—underscoring the Lord's preference for lawful, order-driven solutions.
• The persecution and these revelations forged a unique collective Latter-day Saint identity and clarified doctrinal stances for future generations.

Final Reflections

Scott and Casey highlight the ongoing relevance of these events and teachings: the quest for Zion continues, and so does the striving to live up to the Lord’s ideals of unity, liberty, and justice for all. The struggles of Jackson County shape both the hope and the calling of Latter-day Saints to this day.

Notable Timestamps

• [01:48] – Historical context for D&C 101.
• [04:32] – Parley P. Pratt’s harrowing eyewitness account.
• [10:17] – Joseph Smith’s letter, unanswered questions before receiving D&C 101.
• [12:01] – Why was Zion not protected? The Lord’s answer.
• [16:17] – Assurance of the millennial day and big-picture hope.
• [24:11] – The parable of the nobleman and the vineyard – interpretation & implications.
• [34:22] – Counsel on purchasing land and church unity.
• [35:30] – Teachings on the U.S. Constitution and moral agency.
• [44:40] – Discussion: Does D&C 101 condemn slavery and racism?
• [46:45] – President Oaks' interpretation and application to racism.
• [57:20] – Final reflection: “These are all stops on the road to Zion, which we're still traveling on today.”

Closing Thoughts

The episode weaves historical narrative and scripture with modern application, showing how adversity, repentance, and hope for redemption are at the very heart of the Zion project—past, present, and future.