Church History Matters – Episode 169

Sections D&C 125–127: Temple Work and Redeeming the Dead
Air Date: October 28, 2025
Hosts: Scott & Casey

Overview

This episode explores Doctrine & Covenants Sections 125–127 in the context of family history, temple work, and the doctrine of baptisms for the dead. Scott and Casey guide listeners through the historical and theological evolution of these sections, unpacking their relevance for Latter-day Saint practice today. The discussion weaves together Nauvoo-era revelations (including both logistical and groundbreaking theological developments), the practicalities and controversies of church history, and the personal sacrifices that shaped early Latter-day Saint leadership and doctrine.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Section 125: Gathering to Zarahemla (Practical Guidance for the Saints)

[01:39–04:32] Background

• After their expulsion from Missouri, the Saints settled in Illinois (Nauvoo) and across the Mississippi River in Iowa.
• The Iowa settlement was named Zarahemla, after a Book of Mormon city.
• Section 125, likely received March 11, 1841, responds to whether the Saints in Iowa should gather together or remain scattered.
• Joseph Smith's advice was to gather to Zarahemla for safety, drawing parallels to earlier persecutions in Missouri (e.g., Haun's Mill).

[04:32–06:09] Why Was This Section Included?

• Added to the Doctrine and Covenants in 1876 (by Orson Pratt & Brigham Young) to counter critics claiming Joseph Smith was uninspired during Nauvoo.
• Casey speculates that including practical revelations from Nauvoo demonstrates ongoing prophetic revelation, even amidst fewer canonized sections in that period.

[09:23–10:50] Content of the Revelation

• Concise, focused on gathering:

  "If those who call themselves by my name ... will do my will ... let them gather themselves together unto the places which I shall appoint unto them ... build up a city unto my name upon the land opposite the city of Nauvoo ... let the name of Zarahemla be named upon it."
  (Scott, 09:23)

• This established Zarahemla, Nashville, and Nauvoo as gathering places.

[10:50–16:41] Controversy: Is Iowa the Book of Mormon Zarahemla?

• Some claim Section 125 identifies the Book of Mormon’s Zarahemla location.
• Scott and Casey cite historical sources:
  • The town was called Zarahemla prior to the revelation (Brigham Young journal, Elias Smith).
  • The revelation never directly claims this is the same city as in the Book of Mormon.
• Casey’s takeaway:

  "I hope we all agree that accepting the Book of Mormon as scripture is way more important than identifying a geographic location."
  (Casey, 16:41)

[17:39–18:59] Consequences: Continuing the Gathering

• Despite persecution, the revelation reaffirmed gathering as a spiritual necessity for establishing communities and building temples.

Section 126: Personal Revelation for Brigham Young

[19:17–27:55] Context & Sacrifice

• Brigham Young, after years of mission service (especially in England, 1839–1841), returns to Nauvoo.
• Left wife Mary Ann and six young children as refugees, sick and destitute:

  "I left my wife and my six children without a second suit to their backs."
  (Scott, 22:26)

• Despite the sacrifice, the mission in England was miraculously fruitful—thousands baptized, publications produced, and Saints immigrated to Zion.

[27:55–30:03] Content of the Revelation

• Section 126 is a brief, deeply personal letter:

  "My servant Brigham, it is no more required at your hand to leave your family as in times past. For your offering is acceptable to me ... take especial care of your family from this time henceforth and forever."
  (Scott, quoting D&C 126, 27:55)

• From this point, Brigham Young would not again leave his family for extended missions.

[30:30–32:09] Controversy: Why Canonize This?

• Likely included in 1876 (along with Section 136) to show that revelation continued after Joseph Smith.
• Potentially to establish Brigham’s special role and legitimacy for leadership post-Joseph.

[32:14–35:30] Consequences

• Brigham Young now devotes time to family and leads administrative and missionary efforts from Nauvoo.
• Builds a new brick home (which becomes a future meeting center after Joseph’s death).
• Proximity to Joseph Smith allows Brigham to closely learn newly revealed doctrinal practices, preparing him for future leadership:

  “This section actually ideally positions Brigham Young ... to prepare for his own privileged prophetic future.” (Scott, 34:22)

• Touching personal note:

  "This evening, I am with my love, alone by my fireside for the first time for years. We enjoy it and feel to praise the Lord."
  (Brigham Young, via Scott, 35:30)

Section 127: Instructions on Baptism for the Dead

[35:52–39:41] Why a Letter?

• Sections 127 & 128 are epistles rather than direct revelations due to Joseph Smith being in hiding (an attempted assassination of Governor Boggs led to wrongful accusations against Joseph).
• Joseph writes these letters in secrecy, later canonized due to their profound doctrinal significance.

[40:07–44:21] Content of Section 127

• Opening addresses Joseph’s persecution:

  "For as much as the Lord has revealed unto me that my enemies ... were again in the pursuit of me ... their pretensions are all founded in falsehood of the blackest dye.... I have thought it ... wisdom ... to leave the place for a short season....”
  (Scott, reading Joseph Smith, 40:27)

• Joseph expresses that persecution is his “second nature,” possibly referencing his foreordination (connecting to recently published Book of Abraham concepts):

  "Deep water is what I am wont to swim in ...."
  (Joseph Smith, read by Scott, 44:11)

[44:21–47:22] Baptism for the Dead: Instructions

• Saints are to have recorders and witnesses for baptisms for the dead so that the ordinances are duly recorded both on earth and in heaven.
• The letter’s guidance is still strictly followed in modern temple practice:

  “It's neat to see it actually literally carried out in the church today... right, there is a recorder who is making sure that everything is properly recorded....”
  (Casey, 47:39)

[47:39–54:45] Notable Controversies

• Attempt on Boggs:

  • Accusations (spread by apostates and enemies) that Joseph ordered the assassination are not substantiated by evidence.
  • Porter Rockwell was acquitted for lack of evidence; Joseph and Rockwell both denied any involvement.

  “Three accusations made by three apostates. Publicly, Joseph Smith said, no, I was never involved in that. No, I never prophesied that Governor Boggs would be assassinated.”
  (Casey, 50:01)

• Temple Work for Specific Populations:

  • Issues around vicarious temple ordinances for Holocaust victims and celebrities.
  • Church policy (quoted from 2012 First Presidency letter): Only submit names of one's own relatives; avoid unauthorized groups (Holocaust victims, celebrities).

  “Our preeminent obligation is to seek out and identify our own ancestors.... without exception, Church members must not submit ... any names from unauthorized groups such as celebrities and Jewish Holocaust victims.” (Casey quoting First Presidency, 54:45)

[54:45–63:17] Consequences: Systematizing Temple Work

• The first baptisms for the dead were enthusiastic but chaotic; many lacked proper recordkeeping.
• Wilford Woodruff noted early errors and haphazard practices; Joseph’s letter brought order:

  “[T]he Lord told Joseph that he must have recorders present at these baptisms... we had to do the work only over again. Nevertheless, that does not say that the work was not of God.” (Casey, paraphrasing Woodruff, 60:45)

• Section 127 marks a shift to methodical, witness-attested records leading to our modern practice of orderly, global family history work.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the centrality of Nauvoo revelations:

  “This is the start of something that's going to be really, really important.”
  (Casey, 00:00)

• On Joseph’s persistent opposition:

  “Deep water is what I am wont to swim in....”
  (Joseph Smith, quoted by Scott, 44:11)

• On prophetic foreordination:

  “Every man who has a calling to minister ... was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of Heaven. I suppose ... I was ordained to this very office in that grand Council.” (Joseph Smith, summarized by Scott, 40:27)

• On gathering, despite setbacks:

  “We're still gathering. We're not going to scatter because of what happened. We're going to continue to gather. We're going to continue to build cities. We have to do this to accomplish what we need to do right now.”
  (Casey, 17:39)

• On temple work priorities:

  “Our preeminent obligation is to seek out and identify our own ancestors.... Without exception, Church members must not submit for proxy temple ordinances any names from unauthorized groups such as celebrities and Jewish Holocaust victims.”
  (Casey quoting First Presidency, 54:45)

• Personal tenderness in sacrifice:

  “This evening, I am with my love, alone by my fireside for the first time for years. We enjoy it and feel to praise the Lord.”
  (Brigham Young diary, via Scott, 35:30)

Important Timestamps

• 01:39 – Why Section 125 was received and its practical context
• 04:32 – Inclusion of practical revelations in 1876 edition, linking to ongoing prophetic legitimacy
• 10:50 – Controversy over Zarahemla’s location and Book of Mormon geography
• 19:17 – Brigham Young’s mission and the backstory of Section 126
• 27:55 – The text of Section 126 and its immediate consequences
• 35:52 – Introduction to Section 127 and Joseph Smith in hiding
• 40:27 – Joseph’s mindset and foreordination during persecution
• 44:21 – Detailed instructions on baptism for the dead and its connection to modern practice
• 47:39 – Controversies, including the Boggs shooting and limitations on vicarious temple work
• 54:45 – Modern church policy on family history submissions
• 60:45 – Transition from spontaneous to systematic baptism for the dead

Tone, Language & Style

• Friendly, informed, and occasionally playful (“Let’s nerd out,” “put on our sleuthing spectacles”)
• Willingness to speculate (when clearly labeled, e.g., Casey)
• Candid about controversies and the limits of historical certainty
• Devotional and reverential when discussing doctrine and the personal sacrifices of early leaders

Conclusion

This episode immerses listeners in the practical realities and deep theological shifts of the Nauvoo period, showing how revelations about gathering, leadership sacrifice, and temple work laid the groundwork for today’s Latter-day Saint focus on family, recordkeeping, and sacred ordinances. The enduring message is the centrality of continuing revelation, careful stewardship, and the faith to build spiritual foundations in the face of adversity and ambiguity.

Teaser for Next Episode:
A deep dive into D&C 128 and the further evolution of Latter-day Saint priesthood and temple theology.