Podcast Summary: followHIM – Voices of the Restoration #10 • Liberty Jail • Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat

Episode Date: October 20, 2025
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat

Overview

This episode of “followHIM” dives deep into the harrowing historical context and significance of Liberty Jail in early Latter-day Saint history, centering on Joseph Smith’s imprisonment and the events leading up to and surrounding the Missouri Mormon War of 1838–39. With historian Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat as guest, the discussion illuminates the suffering, faith, and revelatory experiences of Joseph Smith, unpacking the real stories behind the Doctrine and Covenants sections 121–123 and their enduring wisdom for enduring hardship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power and Context of D&C 121–123

• Joseph Smith’s Prophet Status
  [00:44] Hank asserts Joseph’s role as a prophet, emphasizing that “if Joseph Smith just gives us sections 121, 122, 123, he’s a prophet.”
• Significance of Liberty Jail Revelations
  The spiritual depth and practical guidance in these sections are described as “almost magical” and ahead of their time, likened to “How to Win Friends and Influence People” for Section 121 and a manual for enduring dark times for Section 123 (00:44–01:42).

2. Missouri Backstory, Politics, and Persecution

• Saints Driven Out
  Dr. Dirkmaat narrates the Saints’ expulsion from Jackson County, becoming state-sanctioned refugees and the enduring failure of the government and legal systems to protect their rights (03:25–08:00).
• Caldwell County as a "Mormon Reservation"
  Missouri creates Caldwell County for Saints—an act with echoes of forced Indian removals: “They choose a county that’s not the best land and that isn’t very inhabited and say ‘the Mormons could have this’.” (12:06)
• American Citizenship vs. Prejudice
  Saints, believing they could live anywhere as Americans, face hostilities when moving to better land outside Caldwell County, especially in DeWitt and Davies County (13:55–26:00).

3. Escalation to Violence — The Mormon War

• The Election Day Brawl at Gallatin
  Political tensions and anti-Mormon sentiment converge violently at polls, with Whig William Penniston inciting the crowd against the Saints:

  “These Mormons have no more right to vote than any of our [racial slur],”
  — Dr. Dirkmaat quoting Penniston (30:55)

• Battle of Crooked River
  Miscommunications and unlawful militia actions lead to a violent confrontation; the Saints believe they’re defending themselves against a mob, not a state militia (42:47–47:00).

4. Atrocity: Haun’s Mill Massacre

• Eyewitness Account: Amanda Barnes Smith
  Dr. Dirkmaat reads Amanda Smith’s harrowing testimony of surviving the massacre and the loss of her husband and son.

  “I felt the loss of my husband, but not as I should have if he had apostatized. He died in the faith and in the hopes of a glorious resurrection. … I had an unshaken confidence in God through it all.”
  — Amanda Barnes Smith (61:41–70:00)

• Unjust Military Action
  The militia acts indiscriminately:

  “Our men took off their hats and swung them in the air and cried quarter, meaning we surrender, until they were all shot down.” (61:43–62:00)

5. The Extermination Order

• Governor Boggs’ Order
  The infamous extermination order escalates violence, declaring that “the Mormons must be treated as enemies and must be exterminated or driven from the state if necessary for the public peace.” (47:49–49:45)

6. Joseph Smith’s Betrayal and Imprisonment

• George Hinkle’s Treachery
  Joseph is lured to a "peace conference" and arrested through Hinkle’s betrayal. Dr. Dirkmaat highlights Joseph’s habitual trust and compassion—even when costly (82:10–83:00).
• The Political Calculus of Incarceration
  Missouri authorities are afraid of either trying or releasing Joseph Smith, preferring indefinite, illegal detention to avoid national scrutiny or restitution to the Saints (86:08–89:00).

7. Liberty Jail: The Spiritual Crucible

• Conditions and Suffering
  The jail is described as “hell, surrounded with demons … compelled to hear nothing but blasphemous oaths and witness a scene of blasphemy and drunkenness and hypocrisy and debaucheries of every description.”
  — Joseph Smith, in his letter from Liberty Jail (97:10–98:30)

• Legendary Reproof
  Parley P. Pratt’s account of Joseph rebuking guards:

  “Silence, ye fiends of the infernal pit. In the name of Jesus Christ, I rebuke you and command you to be still... Cease such talk, or you or I die this minute.”
  (89:44–91:30)

• Joseph’s Anguish for Others
  The “O God, where art thou?” (D&C 121:1) plea is rooted in Joseph’s agony over the Saints’ suffering, not merely his own discomfort (100:36–101:30).

8. Revelatory Letters and Lasting Counsel

• The Larger Letters
  The hosts and Dr. Dirkmaat explain how D&C sections 121–123 are excerpts from two large letters written by Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail, filled with empathy, strategy for the Saints’ survival, and reflections on leadership (104:28–111:00).
• On Leadership and Apostasy
  Joseph’s realization that not reproving error can foster greater problems—acknowledging “as a prophet, he’s going to have to be more willing to be more courageous in calling out the false teachings…that he has in some ways allowed.”
  — Dr. Dirkmaat (117:00–118:00)

9. Release from Liberty Jail

• A Calculated “Escape”
  Authorities quietly orchestrate Joseph and companions’ “escape,” sidestepping further liability and avoiding a public trial (118:43–126:55).

10. Faith Amidst the Horror

• Joseph’s Perseverance
  Brigham Young’s and others’ memories are recounted:

  “No person ever saw Joseph with cast down countenance…always full of cheerfulness and always had a word of comfort to speak to his friends…Joseph was in jail because he was a lover of truth and a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and received revelation from heaven.”
  (128:01–131:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If Joseph Smith just gives us sections 121, 122, 123, he’s a prophet.”
  — Hank Smith (00:44)

• “There are things that can be canonized that are not received the same way. …I won’t lose 121 for anything.”
  — Dr. Dirkmaat (02:12–03:00)

• “I felt the loss of my husband, but not as I should have if he had apostatized. He died in the faith and in the hopes of a glorious resurrection...I had an unshaken confidence in God through it all.”
  — Amanda Barnes Smith, quoted by Dr. Dirkmaat (65:26–66:30)

• “Silence, ye fiends of the infernal pit. In the name of Jesus Christ, I rebuke you and command you to be still…”
  — Joseph Smith, as remembered by Parley P. Pratt (91:11–91:55)

• “O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?...It shocks all nature, it beggars and defies all description…it can’t be found among the wild and ferocious beasts of the forest.”
  — Joseph Smith, letter (D&C 121 prelude) (97:10–98:30)

• “Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.”
  — D&C 123:17, discussed (127:05–127:24)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:44 – Hank’s reflection on the prophetic weight of D&C 121–123.
• 12:06 – Creation of Caldwell County as a Mormon “reservation.”
• 30:55 – Election Day brawl at Gallatin; Penniston’s incitement.
• 47:49 – Governor Boggs' extermination order.
• 61:41–70:00 – Amanda Barnes Smith’s account of Haun’s Mill.
• 82:08 – George Hinkle’s betrayal at Far West.
• 89:44 – Joseph Smith’s rebuke of the guards (Parley Pratt letter).
• 97:10–101:30 – Joseph’s letter from Liberty Jail and “O God, where art thou?”
• 117:00–118:00 – Joseph’s leadership realization regarding apostasy.
• 118:43–126:55 – The calculated “escape” from Liberty Jail.
• 128:01–131:25 – Brigham Young’s tribute to Joseph’s faith and cheerfulness.

Closing Reflections

• Hosts’ Emotional Response
  Both hosts express humility and awe at the magnitude of suffering and the resilience shown by Joseph Smith, Amanda Barns Smith, and early Saints.

  “Whoa…we have different trials today.” — John Bytheway (117:46)

• Dr. Dirkmaat’s Final Encouragement
  Respect the costly faith legacy of early Saints, and be careful in how we steward and speak about that heritage.

Summary prepared by: [Your Name], podcast summarizer.