D&C 121-123 I Liberty Jail & Religious Refugees I Come Follow Church History I Lynne Hilton Wilson

Scripture Central

Religion & Spirituality

4.8 • 852 Ratings

🗓️ 13 October 2025

⏱️ 46 minutes

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Summary

In the winter of 1838–1839, the Prophet Joseph Smith and several Church leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were imprisoned in Liberty Jail, Missouri — a cold, cramped dungeon that became a “prison-temple” of revelation. Doctrine and Covenants sections 121, 122, and 123 capture Joseph’s heartfelt cries to God and the Lord’s powerful response about enduring adversity with faith, patience, and charity. This episode explores the intense persecution of the Saints in Missouri, the unlawful imprisonment of Church leaders, and the spiritual lessons that arose from one of the darkest times in early Church history. As Joseph faced betrayal, loss, and despair, God taught eternal truths about priesthood, humility, and the refining power of trials. Join us as we uncover how these revelations can help you face your own Liberty Jail moments — finding strength when everything seems turned against you, and trusting that “all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.”

Transcript

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0:00.0	He decided we have to get rid of the Mormons. The Prophet had told them to leave Hans Mill and come in.
0:06.8	Take them to Far West and shoot him as a public example. I will not do it. That's cold-blooded murder.
0:12.6	Joseph now knows he's going to be in that jail for a long time. No one's getting enough sleep. No one can move
0:18.6	around. It's really awful. This is one of the most powerful revelations ever given to a person.
0:24.5	During times of trial, I often come back and read this one.
0:27.4	Joseph's learning from this.
0:28.7	He comes out of Liberty Jail, a different man.
0:31.4	Peace be unto thy soul, thine adversity and thy afflictions shall be but a small moment.
0:42.3	Hello, welcome back to Scripture Central.
0:45.3	I'm Lynn Hilton Wilson, and we are so happy to be part of the team that wants to build enduring faith in Jesus Christ
0:52.3	by illuminating restored scripture.
0:56.0	And today we get some of the most amazing sections.
0:59.9	The history is so rich and the words of these texts are so beautiful.
1:04.0	We're in Liberty Jail.
1:05.5	We're in section 121, 122, and 123.
1:09.9	And here with our Missouri expert, we are so fortunate to have Alex Baugh back.
1:14.6	Welcome, Alex. So glad you're here to talk about, to me, this is sacred ground.
1:20.6	This is such holy text.
1:23.6	It came at such a difficult time in the prophet's life, in the saints' life, and lots of hard questions to say,
1:31.3	why do bad things happen to good people? And the Lord answers, all these things will give the experience and be for thy good.
1:40.3	So well said. Thank you so much. Yeah, the Liberty Jail revelations came at a time, probably the lowest point of Joseph Smith's life. And yet, what a blessing to us that we can have this inspired text because of his and his companions suffering and misery. Good can come from bad.
2:05.4	And so anyway, I'm honored to be with you again. Thank you so much. So take us to Liberty
	...

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