Church History Matters – Episode 162

D&C 115–117 CFM – Trusting God When The Future Is Unclear – E42 (October 13–19)

Air date: October 7, 2025
Podcast: Church History Matters (Scripture Central)
Hosts: Scott and Casey

Overview

This episode focuses on the significant events and revelations in Doctrine & Covenants sections 115, 116, and 117—received in Far West and Adam-ondi-Ahman, Missouri, in 1838. Scott and Casey unpack the challenges faced by the early Latter-day Saints, including the evolving name of the church, the command to build the Far West Temple, the doctrine and prophecy of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and principles of sacrifice and trust in the Lord’s commands amidst financial and personal difficulty. The hosts weave historical context, doctrinal insights, modern implications, and rich narrative to illuminate why these seemingly brief revelations remain among the most consequential in Latter-day Saint history.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Context for D&C 115–117 (01:20–06:00)

• Eviction from Missouri and Settlement in Far West

  • Saints were evicted from Jackson County (1833), lived as refugees, then purchased land in Caldwell County to create Far West, which became new Church HQ by March 1838.
  • Missouri legislature intended Caldwell County as the “box” for Mormon settlement, but saints spread to other counties, setting up future conflict.
    "We want you guys to stay in the box in Caldwell County." (Scott, 01:53)

• Church Leadership Relocation

  • Revelations commanded the First Presidency and their families to leave Kirtland for Far West (unpublished revelation, Jan 12, 1838).
  • Joseph Smith’s arrival marked an official HQ transfer, shift from apostasy in Kirtland to rebuilding and anticipation in Missouri.

2. The Official Name of the Church – D&C 115 (06:00–13:19)

• Evolution of Names

  • Early official names: Church of Christ → Church of the Latter Day Saints (1834 name change for clarification/distinction).
  • Confusion and criticism led to the name "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" by revelation in Section 115 (April 26, 1838).
  • Historical and theological motivations for naming—emphasis on Christ’s name, biblical linkage to “saints.”

• Memorable Quotes:

  • "Oh, he just dropped the name... for thus shall my church be called in the last days, even the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This is 1838. The church is eight years old..." (Scott, 06:14)
  • "Saints would be distinguishing, and saints would be biblical... over 60 times." (Scott, 08:46)

• Modern Reflections:

  • President Russell M. Nelson’s renewed emphasis on the correct name of the church is discussed as an echo of the same revelatory principle (13:19).
    • "It is not a name change. It is not rebranding... Instead, it is a correction. It is the command of the Lord. The name of the church is not negotiable." (President Nelson, quoted by Casey, 14:24)

3. Zion, Stakes, and the Temple Commandment (15:23–24:46)

• Stakes as Refuge

  • Section 115 frames Zion and her stakes (now worldwide) as a prophesied “refuge from the storm.”
    • "The stakes of Zion are a refuge from the storm because they're led by those who hold priesthood authority." (Casey, 16:43)
  • The idea of Zion expands through section 115 to not just Independence, Missouri, but Far West and other stakes.

• Temple Command and July 4 Cornerstone Event

  • Lord commands a temple in Far West, distinct from Kirtland Temple; intended for expanded ordinances.
    • Temple construction to commemorate July 4, 1838.
    • “Let the beginning be made on the 4th day of July next…” (23:02)
  • Financial caution: "Let not my servant Joseph... get in debt anymore for the building of a house unto my name." (13:13)
  • The Far West temple never built due to ensuing persecution.

4. The Salt Sermon and the Danites (24:46–32:33)

• Salt Sermon & Escalating Tensions

  • "That mob that comes to disturb us, it shall be... a war of extermination." (Sidney Rigdon, as cited by Casey, 27:00)
  • The rhetoric, including Rigdon’s Salt Sermon (July 4, 1838), inflames local non-Mormon animosity and internal dissension.

• Origins and Downfall of the Danites

  • Saints form the Danites (or “Daughter of Zion”), a secretive group to defend against mobs and internal dissent.
    • The Danites’ actions escalate violence, contributing to the 1838 Missouri Mormon War.
    • "The Danites existed for only five months from June through October 1838 and were only ever active in two counties... But it sounds like they went beyond the bounds for which they were originally created." (Scott, 29:29)
    • "We're not really sure where the name Danite comes from... The common name for them, actually less threatening, was Daughter of Zion..." (Casey, 30:40)

5. Clarifying Controversies: The Name Change & Debts (32:33–37:49)

• The hosts dismiss the conspiracy theory that the 1838 name change was to escape debts:
  • "Nobody... really talks about that as the reason for the name change... it seems like the documents that we have all have to do with theological and... public relation issues..." (Casey, 34:28)
  • The saints made efforts to pay debts (sections 117, 119); revelations support their sincerity.

6. Summary of Key Consequences of D&C 115 (37:49–40:24)

• Introduces the Church’s Proper Name by Revelation.
• Commanded Temple at Far West (never built), indicating new ordinances to come.
• Affirms First Presidency’s primacy over two stakes—clarifying leadership after the Kirtland apostasy.

7. Adam-ondi-Ahman – D&C 116 (40:24–65:41)

• Context (40:51–43:38):

  • Joseph Smith identifies Spring Hill, Missouri as Adam-ondi-Ahman, prophesied site for Daniel 7’s fulfillment.
  • Revelatory context: Adam-ondi-Ahman hymn and teachings predate site’s identification.

• Content & Implications (43:38–53:46):

  • "Spring Hill is named by the Lord Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the ancient of days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the Prophet." (Scott, reading D&C 116)
  • Daniel 7 interpreted distinctly by Latter-day Saints: “Ancient of Days” is Adam, not God the Father.
  • Rich future millennial prophecy—sacrament meeting, grand council, transition of world rule from Satan to Christ. (See Bruce R. McConkie, Joseph Fielding Smith, 49:17–53:46)
    • "Before the Lord descends... there is to be a secret appearance... greatest congregation... a sacrament meeting... in Davies County, Missouri..." (Elder McConkie, 49:17)

• Ancient & Future Significance (54:54–63:44):

  • Ongoing debate: Is the current site the actual place Adam dwelt or named for that site?
    • Secondhand accounts from contemporaries (Abraham O. Smoot, Heber C. Kimball) claim Joseph identified the location as where Adam built altars, blessed posterity.
    • "The canon is ambiguous as to the answer to that question. However, there are some extra-canonical teachings... that suggest early church leaders did believe that was the ancient place where Adam dwelt." (Scott, 58:19)

• Identity of “Ancient of Days” (61:00):

  • "Joseph Smith gives a very different interpretation. He says [the Ancient of Days] is Adam." (Scott, 61:14)
  • Adam will preside at a grand council prior to Christ’s coming, passing humanity’s stewardship to Jesus.

8. Faith, Sacrifice, and Leadership: D&C 117 (65:41–81:33)

• Context & Sacrifice (66:03–70:20):

  • Section 117 receives and instructs William Marks, Newell K. Whitney, and Oliver Granger about financial/business challenges remaining in Ohio.
  • Whitney and Marks instructed to quickly settle affairs and gather to Missouri, trusting spiritual priorities over temporal wealth.
    • "Let them awake and arise and come forth and not tarry, for I, the Lord, command it... what is property unto me?" (Scott, 68:04)
    • Poetic assurance God can provide abundance elsewhere, i.e., “mountains of Adam-ondi-Ahman, or on the plains of Olaha Shanihah” (Casey, 70:20)

• Obedience and Church Integrity (74:41–78:22):

  • Oliver Granger commanded to remain in hostile Kirtland and settle church debts.
    • Praised: “his sacrifice shall be more sacred unto me than his increase... let no man despise my servant Oliver Granger…” (Casey, 74:41)
    • Stories of neglecting Granger’s contributions; modern leaders (e.g., President Packer) urge continued remembrance.
      • "Let's contend for the man who contended for the First Presidency. Like, that's a good guy..." (Scott, 84:41)

• Historical Consequences (79:37–84:41):

  • Persecution in Missouri prevents Marks and Whitney from fulfilling their callings—but both later serve crucial leadership roles in Nauvoo (Stake President/Presiding Bishop).
  • William Marks becomes a founder in the Community of Christ; Newell K. Whitney remains a pillar of the Utah church.
  • Oliver Granger’s name preserved “in sacred remembrance.” His daughter, Sarah Granger Kimball, initiates efforts leading to the Relief Society.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• On Sacred Geography:
  "I do believe that the Garden of Eden was located in Independence, Missouri. Now that said, if I receive evidence to the contrary... I'm okay. I don't think that that's an essential teaching. It's more of an esoteric teaching that can be really meaningful." (Casey, 19:48)
• On Leadership Clarity:
  "Section 115 affirms the First Presidency as the leaders of the entire church... nicely and subtly but clearly affirms the presidency of the first president." (Scott, 37:49)
• On the Power of Sacrifice:
  "The Lord often asks hard things, right? He sometimes tests his disciples, requiring them to, I don't know... give up familiarity, give up comfort." (Scott, 68:04)
• On Adam-ondi-Ahman:
  "This could be the place where people first learned about the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ." (Casey, 00:00 & 55:44)
• On the Importance of Remembrance:
  "Let's contend for the man who contended for the First Presidency. Like, that's a good guy. That is a good guy. Beautiful man." (Scott, 84:41)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------|------------------| | Episode Overview/Introduction | 00:00–01:20 | | Context for D&C 115 | 01:20–06:00 | | Name of the Church | 06:00–13:19 | | Zion/Stakes/Temple & July 4 | 15:23–24:46 | | The Salt Sermon & Danites | 24:46–32:33 | | Name Change & Debt Controversy | 32:33–37:49 | | Consequences of D&C 115 | 37:49–40:24 | | Section 116 – Adam-ondi-Ahman | 40:24–65:41 | | Section 117 – Sacrifice & Integrity | 65:41–84:41 |

Conclusion

Scott and Casey deliver a rich discussion full of historical depth, doctrinal exploration, and spiritual reflections. They exhibit transparency about uncertainty, respect diverse faith perspectives, and consistently honor the faith and sacrifices of early Saints. Central themes—naming the church, sacred sites, prophetic leadership, and sacrifice—are related to both past and present, offering listeners grounding and inspiration for “trusting God when the future is unclear.”

Next episode: Sections 118–120: The Mission of the 12, the Law of Tithing, and more.

For a deeper dive:

• “History of the Name of the Savior's Church and a Collaborative and Revelatory Process” (BYU Studies, Shane Goodwin).
• Elder Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah.
• Official statements by President Russell M. Nelson (2018) on the church’s name.