Church History Matters – Episode 177

D&C 136 CFM - Latter-day Exodus & How God Forged Us Into a New People
November 19, 2025
Hosts: Scott and Casey, Scripture Central

Episode Overview

This episode explores Doctrine and Covenants Section 136—Brigham Young’s only canonized revelation—set against the backdrop of the Saints’ exodus from Nauvoo and the forging of a new Latter-day Saint identity in the crucible of Winter Quarters. Scott and Casey discuss the urgent context, leadership controversies, the structure and impact of the “Word and Will of the Lord,” and the lasting spiritual legacy of the Latter-day Exodus, drawing comparisons to the biblical Israelites and reflecting on how hardship forged a sacred people.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

The Leadership Transition: From Joseph to Brigham (00:00–03:00)

• Brigham Young as a Modern Moses:
  “Brigham Young will be called a modern day Moses because of what's about to happen here. And the Lord is framing it here. No accident.” — Scott (00:03)
• The Saints’ exodus after the martyrdom of Joseph Smith marks a pivotal, crisis-ridden transition, not just for leadership, but for collective Latter-day Saint identity.

Context of Section 136: Winter Quarters & the Brink of Collapse (02:45–10:44)

• A Time of Crisis, Not of Confidence:
  Casey dispels the “mythologizing” of the westward trek, emphasizing confusion, disarray, and immense suffering at Winter Quarters on the Missouri River (Nebraska/Iowa border):
  “They're in Indian territory...squalid is a word that you could use. There's death and disease...this is maybe the low point of the trek, where they're sort of in crisis.” — Casey (02:45)
• Fragile relations with Native Americans, loss of manpower to the Mormon Battalion, dire mortality (1 in 12 died), and shaken confidence in Brigham Young’s leadership.
  • Notable historical voices illustrate misery:
    • Louisa Barnes Pratt: “The shaking ague fastened deathless fangs upon me… I shook till it appeared my very bones were pulverized...”
    • Thomas L. Kane: “Openly sobbed like a child” witnessing conditions.
    • Wilford Woodruff: “...never seen the Latter Day Saints...passing through greater tribulations or wearing out faster...”
• External and internal opposition (e.g., James Strang, George Miller) threatened to fracture the Saints.

Milestone Revelation:

On January 14, 1847, Brigham Young receives “the word and will of the Lord concerning the camp of Israel,” offering divine guidance and organizing principles amidst existential uncertainty.

The Content and Structure of Section 136 (10:44–27:24)

Temple Covenants as the Spiritual Backbone (10:44–16:45)

• The exodus’ success is rooted in temple covenants made at Nauvoo, especially the law of consecration—binding the Saints together and fueling their commitment to help even the weakest among them.
  • Quote:
    "If it had not been for the faith and knowledge that was bestowed upon us in that temple, the trip across the Great Plains would have been like one taking a leap in the dark." — Sarah P. Rich, via Scott (11:40)
• Brigham Young’s call—“to take all the Saints with us to the extent of our ability”—reflects these covenants.
• Modern Applications:
  The precedent set for mutual rescue (e.g., Martin & Willie Handcart Companies) and ongoing humanitarian obligations.

Organization: Lessons in Collective Action (16:45–22:06)

• The Lord’s instructions to organize into companies, appoint captains, and proportion property and responsibility equally reflect ancient Israelite and Zion’s Camp models.
• Direct quote from Brigham Young:
  "Unless this people are more united in spirit and cease to pray against counsel, it will bring me down to my grave..." — Brigham Young, journal, via Casey (18:25)
• The revelation transforms migration into a sacred, unifying ordeal—how "the Lord is using [it] to kind of shape them into a people." — Casey (20:19)

Practical and Spiritual Instructions (22:06–33:09)

• Specific leaders and logistics are delineated. The Lord explicitly frames the exodus as a modern Israelite journey:
  "I am he who led the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, and my arm is stretched out in the last days to save my people Israel." — Reading, Scott (23:21)
• The Lord admonishes against contention, urges stewardship, and offers practical ethical guidance.
• Stories of how these rules marked the Saints as an unusually organized, pious people.
• Brigham’s stern warning:
  "If you don't open your heart so that the spirit of God can enter your hearts and teach you the right way, I know that you are a ruined people and will be destroyed." — Brigham Young, via Scott (25:38)
• The legendary “This is the place” declaration is discussed—what was (and wasn't) recorded—bringing nuance to LDS pioneer folklore.

Spiritual Joy Amid Hardship (28:01–33:09)

• Music, Merriment, & Resilience:
  The Lord encourages singing and dancing even amid affliction—a striking contrast with some 19th-century American pieties and a source of strength for the Saints.
• Brigham Young’s “adoption” sealings are explored—how familial bonds replaced blood ties in this new people.

The Martyrdom, Divine Judgment, and the Making of a People (33:09–41:17)

• Prophetic Commentary on Joseph’s Death:
  The revelation asserts that Joseph “must seal his testimony with his blood,” for the sake of both honor and condemnation of the wicked.
• Larger Historical Reckonings:
  The possible link between national rejection of the Saints/killing of Joseph Smith and later calamities (e.g., the US Civil War) is debated:
  • “I think the evidence is overwhelming that Thomas Ford was not just stupid but in on it…” — Scott (35:14)
• The exodus is reframed as not solely tragedy and suffering—many companies experienced relatively few deaths, and the trek became a source of bonding and sacred narrative.

Succession Crisis & Authority: Controversy and Continuity (41:17–47:07)

• The Succession Crisis Recapped:
  Multiple claimants (Brigham Young, Sidney Rigdon, James Strang), but Brigham’s leadership is rooted in both inspiration ("over 150 accounts of people saying Brigham Young was transfigured…”) and practicality—he and the Twelve were the most credible, seasoned leaders (42:05–43:30).
• Evolution of Succession:
  Later transitions were often subject to discussion and even debate, but by Lorenzo Snow’s time, the succession process became well-established.
• The LDS process contrasted with Community of Christ’s ongoing revelation and succession.

The Challenge of Post-Joseph Revelations (47:07–56:59)

• Why So Few Canonized Revelations from Later Prophets?
  • Dialogic ("thus saith the Lord") revelations become rare after Joseph. Brigham Young’s 1847 and 1874 revelations discussed, as well as John Taylor’s dialogic revelations—which were not canonized.
  • "Brothers and sisters, there was only one Joseph Smith. He was a very unique prophet, called for a second specific time and to do a specific thing." — Scott (52:16)
• Adjusting Expectations:
  Later prophets are exponents and echoers of Joseph Smith’s foundational work.
  • “You step down appreciably…” — Elder Bruce R. McConkie, via Scott (53:34)
• Modern Prophetic Revelation:
  Insights continue (e.g., Joseph F. Smith’s vision, Official Declarations), but the style and frequency of canonical revelations changes.
  • Gordon B. Hinckley: “I get revelation. I get it in a different way than Joseph Smith did...It’s a still, small voice.” — via Casey (55:37)
• Affirmation: The church remains led by revelation, though the mechanisms vary.

Consequences & Legacy of Section 136 (57:24–60:37)

• Winter Quarters as Latter-day Saint Valley Forge:
  “What happened at Winter Quarters does the same thing as Valley Forge. They emerge...more united, more secure...Section 136 gives them renewed strength.” — Casey (57:45)
  • It proved pivotal, organizing the Saints not only physically but spiritually, providing identity and purpose that have echoed across generations.
• Ritual and Memory:
  The trek becomes sacred history—still reenacted today—marking the Saints not just as a church but as a people forged by shared trial and consecration.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Suffering & Sanctification:
  “The suffering, the sacrifice, and I'll say the sanctification, lingers forever in their collective memory. And these sufferings do for us what the Exodus did for the ancient Israelites. They forge us into a people.” — Casey (00:22, 57:59)

• On Leadership Succession:
  “There's over 150 accounts of people saying Brigham Young was transfigured or they received some sort of confirmation, but it was also one part practicality. Like, he was just the guy.” — Casey (42:29)

• On Modern Prophecy:
  “Brothers and sisters, there was only one Joseph Smith...you step down appreciably and you get to Brigham Young and those who succeed him.” — Scott (52:16)

• On Shared Heritage:
  "It's more intense to be a Latter Day Saint...it's almost your ethnic identity. And these sufferings do for us what the Exodus did for the ancient Israelites." — Casey (58:56)

Key Timestamps

• 00:00–03:00 — Brigham Young’s leadership and the Exodus as identity-forging
• 02:45–10:44 — Winter Quarters crisis, mortality, and the need for divine direction
• 10:44–16:45 — Temple covenants: spiritual bedrock of the trek
• 16:45–22:06 — Principles of organization, equity, and mutual aid
• 22:06–33:09 — Modern Israel on a modern Exodus; ethics, music, and resilience
• 33:09–41:17 — The martyrdom, divine justice, and forging a sacred narrative
• 41:17–47:07 — Succession crisis and institutional continuity
• 47:07–56:59 — Prophetic revelation after Joseph Smith: rarity and rationale
• 57:24–60:37 — Consequences: Winter Quarters as Valley Forge, enduring legacy

Final Thoughts & Tone

Scott and Casey’s conversation, full of candid reflection and occasional humor, unpacks a complex period marked by suffering but also resilience, innovation, and spiritual depth. They invite listeners to see themselves in the ongoing narrative—whether reenacting the trek, remembering ancestors, or grappling with contemporary questions of revelation and leadership. Section 136 stands as a paradigm of crisis met by revelation, laying the groundwork for Latter-day Saint faith and identity for generations.

Next episode: Section 138—“one of my favorite revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants. It's just so powerful.”
—Casey (60:37)