Podcast Summary: followHIM – Doctrine & Covenants 115-120 Part 1 (feat. Dr. Alex Baugh)

Episode Date: October 8, 2025
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: Dr. Alexander Baugh
Focus: Exploring Doctrine and Covenants Sections 115–120 with an emphasis on Missouri history, Far West, and Adam-ondi-Ahman

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the rich and turbulent history of the Latter-day Saints during their time in northern Missouri, focusing particularly on pivotal revelations received at Far West and Adam-ondi-Ahman (D&C 115–120). The hosts and their guest, Dr. Alex Baugh—a foremost scholar of early church history in Missouri—explore the significance of temple sites, leadership transitions, the origin and meaning of the Church’s official name, and foundational events that shaped modern LDS understanding of prophecy and gathering.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Missouri as a Land of Promise & Conflict

• Setting the Stage: Far West, Missouri, was growing rapidly, viewed as a land of spiritual promise and the center for a new gathering of the Saints. Despite optimism, saints faced great loss, including expulsion from earlier communities and leadership apostasy (04:00–14:00).
• Adam-ondi-Ahman: A place of unique prophetic significance, believed to be the location of future pivotal events (see D&C 116).

2. Biographical Sketch: Dr. Alexander Baugh

• Scholarship: Dr. Baugh is a professor at BYU specializing in Missouri period church history (08:00–09:05).
• Personal Connection: He shares how visiting historic LDS sites—especially the Independence temple lot—inspired his lifelong academic pursuit and spiritual appreciation for church history (10:20–12:58).

3. The Naming of the Church

• Scriptural Foundation: D&C 115: "For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints."
• Evolution of the Name:
  • 1830: Church of Christ (23:31–24:29)
  • 1834: Church of the Latter Day Saints
  • 1838: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints—official revelation and “course correction” noted by President Nelson (28:50–31:21).
• Modern Application:
  • President Nelson’s 2018 directive to use the full name of the Church (“not negotiable”) (28:53).
  • Dr. Baugh: “The name of the Church is not negotiable. … When the Savior clearly states what the name of his church should be and even precedes his declaration with ‘thus shall my church be called,’ He is serious.” (28:53)
  • Importance of proper identity and rejection of nicknames like “Mormon Church.”

4. Leadership Structure in Far West

• Transitions & Challenges: Turmoil required changes in leadership, including new counselors in the First Presidency and in local church administration (16:53–21:54).
• Additional Counselors: LDS history includes periods with more than two counselors in the First Presidency (19:16–21:54).

5. Temple Sites and Gathering

• Temple at Far West:
  • Never built, but the site was dedicated (34:41–46:35).
  • Saints’ efforts inspired by revelation despite great opposition and eventual expulsion.
• Speculation on Sacred Events:
  • Possible site of Cain killing Abel, based on a single historical account (37:56).

6. Significance of “Arise and Shine Forth”

• Scriptural Tie-in: D&C 115:5 (“arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations”) cross-referenced with Isaiah 60:1–3 (34:18–40:07).
• Optimism for the Future:
  • Dr. Baugh: “This church will arise and shine forth. … The best is yet to come, the hardships as well. But this church will arise and shine forth.” (34:42)

7. Realities of Early Saints’ Disappointments

• Abandonment and Perseverance: Despite being driven out, many saints remained faithful and persevered, culminating in later building up Nauvoo (40:53–43:06).
• Memorable Moment: Dr. Baugh recounts a teen’s lack of appreciation for Far West’s sacredness, illustrating how history can feel empty without understanding context (42:15).

8. Adam-ondi-Ahman (D&C 116) – Historical and Prophetic Importance

• Contextual Background:
  • Revelation given as Joseph Smith and others explored Davies County for new settlement opportunities for impoverished saints from Kirtland (53:19–56:00).
  • The area was chosen in part for logistical (land cost) and prophetic reasons.
• Doctrinal Significance:
  • Connected to prophecy in Daniel 7 – the “Ancient of Days” and the great council before Christ’s return (61:44–65:27).
  • Dr. Baugh: “This is the great council meeting … at Adam on Diamond before the Lord’s final and last great appearing in the future. This was highly motivating to the Latter Day Saints to think Missouri is a land of promise and this is where the final events of this dispensation will take place.” (00:02 / 64:21)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Church’s Name:
  • Dr. Baugh: “The name of the Church is not negotiable…To remove the Lord's name from the Lord's Church is a major victory for Satan.” (28:53)
• On Far West’s Sacredness:
  • Dr. Baugh: “There is a glorious future for Missouri. We all know that. The church is very strong in Missouri. … We have to wait and see. We'll probably have to catch it from spirit world camera. But the Lord has his plan.” (43:49)
• On Perseverance:
  • Dr. Baugh: “[The saints] put Missouri behind them and move on. … I admire those Latter Day Saints who tried with all their heart to build Zion to establish something in Missouri. It didn't happen, but they continued to be faithful.” (41:37)
• On Adam-ondi-Ahman:
  • Dr. Baugh: “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.” (61:44 / quoting D&C 116)
  • “The final keys are delivered back to Adam, who will deliver them to the Son of Man himself as part of that great final wrapping up scene of this earth’s history.” (65:30)

Important Timestamps

• 00:02 – Introduction to Adam-ondi-Ahman’s future role (Dr. Baugh)
• 10:20 – Dr. Baugh’s personal connection to Missouri church history
• 14:33 – Setting the scene: Far West and April 1838
• 23:31–24:29 – Evolution of the church name
• 28:50–31:21 – President Nelson’s “course correction” and the significance of the name
• 34:18–34:42 – “Arise and shine forth” and its prophecy
• 40:53–43:06 – Far West’s sacredness, then and now
• 53:19–56:00 – Why saints migrated to Davies County; land logistics and prophecy
• 61:44–65:27 – D&C 116 and the prophetic council at Adam-ondi-Ahman, connecting to Daniel 7

Flow & Tone

The episode skillfully balances scholarly depth with warmth, optimism, and lived testimony. Dr. Baugh’s deep knowledge is complemented by personal anecdotes, gentle humor, and reverence for sacred sites. The hosts' questions help clarify complex historical circumstances and bring out inspiring lessons applicable for today.

Summary & Takeaways

Listeners come away with a greater appreciation for:

• The complex challenges and determination of early Latter-day Saints in Missouri.
• The deliberate, revelatory development of official church identity—including the use of Christ’s name.
• The continued prophetic significance of places like Far West and Adam-ondi-Ahman.
• The ongoing relevance of lessons from this history: optimistic perseverance, faith amidst adversity, and the global gathering of the Saints.

For the next episode: The discussion will continue into Section 117–120, including stories of sacrifice, the realities of evacuation and persecution, and the final Missouri period revelations.

For further study:

• D&C 115–120
• “The History and Doctrine of Adam-ondi-Ahman” (Baugh, in Hear the Voice of the Lord: Essays on the Doctrine and Covenants, RSC)
• Daniel 7 (prophecy of the Ancient of Days)