Church History Matters – Episode 164

D&C 121 CFM - Enduring Trials And Hardships In Life
October 14, 2025
Hosts: Scott & Casey

Episode Overview

This episode takes a deep dive into Doctrine and Covenants Section 121, exploring Joseph Smith’s experience in Liberty Jail and how his sufferings gave rise to some of the most powerful and emotionally resonant revelations in Latter-day Saint scripture. Scott and Casey unpack the historical context, trace the flow of Joseph’s March 1839 letter, and examine the profound spiritual lessons on enduring trials, leadership, and priesthood revealed in this section.
The hosts give particular attention to the circumstances of hardship that shaped this revelation, and discuss how its principles apply to personal suffering, church leadership, and the pursuit of Christian discipleship today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Historical Context: The Missouri Persecutions and Liberty Jail

• Setting the Stage: Joseph Smith wrote the contents of D&C 121–123 from Liberty Jail (Dec 1838–Apr 1839), immediately following a period of intense persecution of the Saints in Missouri (the so-called “Mormon War”).
• Escalation of Violence: Hostility crescendoed after the Saints were barred from voting in Gallatin (Aug 6, 1838), followed by mob attacks and retaliatory actions from both sides.
  • Notable events: DeWitt siege (Oct 1–10), the Battle of Crooked River (Oct 25; Apostle David Patten killed), Extermination Order by Gov. Boggs (Oct 27), and the Haun’s Mill Massacre (Oct 30).
• Joseph’s Capture: Under the guise of negotiation, Joseph and other leaders were betrayed and surrendered to Missouri militia, narrowly escaping execution due to the intervention of Alexander Doniphan.
• Imprisonment: Joseph and companions were held as “judicial hostages” in Liberty Jail for months, while the Saints were forced to leave Missouri.
  Notable quote:

  "The men in Liberty Jail were kept as judicial hostages held to ensure that the Latter Day Saints actually left the state." (06:34)

Structure and Literary Aspects of the Liberty Jail Letter

• Source Letter: D&C 121–123 are excerpts from a lengthy letter written by Joseph Smith and companions, addressed to the Saints and specifically Bishop Edward Partridge in March 1839.
• The sections edited into scripture by Orson Pratt in 1876 were selected from this single letter, which is more extensive than the canonized portion.

Segment Highlights, Timestamps, and Memorable Moments

The Cry of Suffering and Lament:

[11:23–14:25]

• Joseph’s Lament: The iconic phrase, “O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?” is preceded by a searing account of the Saints’ anguish, not included in the canonized text.
  Scott reads Joseph’s words describing the Saints’ afflictions:

  “…we are compelled to hear nothing but blasphemous oaths and witness a scene of blasphemy and drunkenness and hypocrisy and debaucheries every description… These things are awful to relate, but they are verily true… O God, where art thou?” (13:04)

• Contextual Note: The transition to divine questioning becomes more powerful in light of this raw context of grievance and suffering.

The Lord’s Response: Enduring Well & Friendship

[14:25–22:44]

• Peace in Adversity:
  Quote (the Lord’s reply to Joseph):

  “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment. And then if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high.” (18:23)

• Suffering Well as a Choice:
  Scott recounts Ann Morrow Lindbergh regarding suffering:

  “To suffer well we must add to our suffering: mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness, and the willingness to remain vulnerable… I love that idea that to suffer well is a choice.” (19:58)

• Sanctified by Suffering: Joseph later acknowledges he was transformed by this ordeal:

  “It seems to me that my heart will always be more tender after this than ever it was before... For my part, I think I never could have felt as I now do, if I had not suffered the wrongs that I have suffered.” (21:52)

Vindication and Hope for Justice

[22:44–24:44]

• The Lord declares the persecutors' hopes will melt "as the hoar frost melteth before the burning rays of the rising sun" (22:55), promising eventual justice, some of which was later fulfilled during the Civil War in Missouri.

On Apostasy and Betrayal

[24:44–26:19]

• Harshest Rebuke: Joseph, referencing apostates like Thomas B. Marsh and Orson Hyde, relays the Lord’s dire pronouncement:

  “It had been better for them that a millstone had been hanged about their necks, and they drowned in the depth of the sea.” (24:57)

• Most notably, some would later repent and return, while others did not.

The Gift of Revelation Through Humble Reformation

[26:19–29:51]

• Exhortation to humility and honest discipleship precedes a soaring promise:

  “God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit… which our forefathers have awaited in anxious expectation… In the which nothing shall be withheld, whether there be one God or many gods, they shall be manifest…” (28:10)

• Seeds of Nauvoo Doctrine:
  Scott notes:

  “You saw a little hints of Nauvoo doctrine right here in these verses… Joseph’s going to unfold that in Nauvoo, isn’t he?” (31:47)

Purification of the Church and Revelation

[29:51–34:08]

• The imagery of muddy waters becoming pure again is used to express how spiritual clarity and truth will return to the church over time, despite present chaos.
  “How long can rolling waters remain impure?” (33:19)

The Origin and Exercise of Priesthood Power

[34:08–40:58]

• Authority vs. Power:
  Casey explains:

  “…Priesthood comes from personal righteousness. Using priesthood office to cover our sins, to gratify our pride, or to exercise unrighteous dominion… all diminish the power of the priesthood holder to do good and carry out God’s work.” (36:34)

• Unrighteous Dominion: The phrase is highlighted as a key warning for anyone in authority within the church.

Leadership Principles for All

[40:35–46:31]

• Persuasion, not Compulsion:
  Scott highlights:

  “No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood… only by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness and meekness and love unfeigned…” (40:58)

• These principles are not just for ecclesiastical leaders—parents, teachers, anyone with influence should learn from them.

• C.S. Lewis on Pride:
  Scott quotes:

  “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. It’s the comparison that makes you proud…” (38:14)

• Correction with Love:

  “…reprove betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and then show forth afterwards an increase of love…” (42:39)

• Influence That Flows Naturally:
  Scott expounds:

  “…if you want true, lasting leadership… where you don’t have to force people…but they are drawn to you, they want to follow you… It’s gentleness, it’s meekness, it’s love unfeigned…” (43:49)

Jesus’ Example of Leadership

[44:20–46:31]

• Servant Leadership:
  Casey explains:

  “The Savior taught… ‘whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister; and whosoever…will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.’” (44:49)

• Reproving with sharpness is not about being mean, but about being precise, always followed by increased love.

Notable Quotes

• “It just shows you what’s inside the heart of this incredible prophet.” – Scott (43:58)
• “If you want long term leadership that flows to you without compulsory means… Think about Jesus… we can be like that for other people if we’ll do it in this way.” – Scott (43:59)
• “We have learned by sad experience, it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.” – Casey (36:34)
• “To suffer well is a choice. All your suffering is not necessarily going to educate you and teach you anything unless you suffer it well…” – Scott (19:32)
• “Those who misuse their position in the priesthood… are eventually going to self-destruct. It’s spiritual death coming from self-inflicted wounds.” – Scott (39:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00–04:10 | Introduction, Joseph Smith's soul in Liberty Jail | | 04:10–09:45 | Context: Missouri conflict, Haun's Mill, Liberty Jail| | 11:23–14:25 | Joseph’s complaint and lament—the cry to God | | 14:25–22:44 | The Lord’s response: enduring, exaltation, friendship| | 22:44–26:19 | On enemies and apostates, promised justice | | 26:19–29:51 | Exhortations to humility, promised revelation | | 34:08–40:58 | Priesthood power: origins and misuse | | 40:58–46:31 | Practical leadership: persuasion, kindness, love |

Takeaways for Listeners

• Enduring in Hope: Suffering, even when prolonged or severe, “shall be but a small moment” in God’s eternal perspective.
• Suffering Well: Sanctification results not from suffering itself, but from openness, humility, and response to adversity.
• True Leadership: The power of priesthood and leadership flows only to those who act in meekness, persuasion, gentleness, and love unfeigned—a lesson for all, not just ecclesiastical leaders.
• Leadership vs. Dominion: Authority in the church (or family, community) is not about compulsion, but winning hearts—following Christ’s example of servant leadership.
• The Legacy of Liberty Jail: The hardships of Liberty Jail did not just try Joseph Smith—they transformed him, shaping doctrines that would bloom in Nauvoo and beyond.

Next episode: Scott and Casey continue with sections 122 and 123, further examining the lessons and legacy of the Liberty Jail letters.