Doctrine Covenants 121 123 A Temple Prison Josephs

Doctrine & Covenants 121 -123 A “Temple” Prison

Joseph’s thoughts “No tongue can tell what inexpressible joy it gives a man to see the face of one who has been a friend, after having been inclosed in the walls of a prison for five months. It seems to me that my heart will always be more tender after this than ever it was before… “For my part, I think I never could have felt as I now do if I had not suffered the wrongs that I have suffered. All things shall work together for good to them that love God. ” -History of the Church, 3: 285– 86.

Background • • • On October 27, 1838, Lilburn W. Boggs, governor of the state of Missouri, issued Missouri Executive Order 44: "The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the State if necessary for the public peace. . . their outrages are beyond all description. " General Samuel D. Lucas, leading a militia of 7000 men informed the Mormons at Far West that ". . . they would massacre every man, woman and child. . . " if Joseph Smith and several others were not given up. Through the betrayal of Colonel Hinkle, Joseph and other Church leaders were captured. A secret court martial was held. Joseph Smith and his companions were not even aware of the proceeding until after it was over. At about midnight on November 1, General Lucas issued the following order to General Alexander William Doniphan: "Sir: -- You will take Joseph Smith and the other prisoners into the public square at Far West, and shoot them at 9 o-clock tomorrow morning. " General Doniphan refused to obey the order. "It is cold-blooded murder. I will not obey your order. My brigade shall march for Liberty [township] tomorrow morning at 8 0'clock; and if you execute these men, I will hold you responsible before an earthly tribunal, so help me God. "[2]

The Letter Section 121 Heading • In 1876 Orson Pratt took parts of the letter to produce Doctrine & Covenants 121 -123 • It became scripture in October 1880 • The WHOLE Letter. • I will post the PFD of the letter and this Presentation on my Website. • www. NWSeminary. Share. weebly. com

How To Overcome Trials On the board, write the lesson you learned next to the verses D&C 121 • Verses 1 -3 • Verse 7 • Verse 8 & 29 • Verse 11 D&C 122 • Verse 7 • Verse 8 • Verse 9 D&C 123 • 16 -17

How To Overcome Trials D&C 121 • Verses 1 -3 • When a big trial hits you, what is the first question you often ask God? • What did Joseph ask in those verses? • What does that teach about Joseph? • What is the lesson for us?

How To Overcome Trials On the board, write the lesson you learned next to the verses D&C 121 • Verses 1 -3 • Verse 7 • Verse 8 & 29 • Verse 11 D&C 122

Section 122: 4 -“…thy voice shall be more terrible…than the fierce lion” "It was one of these tedious nights we had lain as if in sleep until the hour of mid-nite had passed, and our ears and hearts had been pained, while we listened for hours to the obscene jests and horrid oaths, the dreadful blasphemies and filthy language of our guards, Colonel Price at their head, as they recounted to each other their deeds of rapine, murder and robbery which they had committed among the Mormons, while at Far West and vicinity. They even boasted of defiling by force, wives and daughters and virgins, or of shooting and dashing out the brains of men, women and children. I had listened until I became so disgusted, shocked and horrified and filled with the spirit of indignant justice that I could scarcely refrain from rising on my feet and rebuking the guards, but had said nothing to Joseph, or anyone else, although, I lay next to him and knew that he was awake.

On a sudden he rose to his feet and as near as I can recollect, spoke the following words: "Silence, ye Fiends of the infernal pit! In the name of Jesus Christ I rebuke you and command you to be still; I will not live another minute and hear such language. Cease such talk or you or I die this instant!" He ceased to speak. He stood erect in terrible majesty. Chained and without a weapon; calm, unruffled, and dignified as an angel; he looked upon the quailing guards, whose weapons were lowered or dropped to the ground; whose knees smote together, and who, shrinking into a corner, or crouching at his feet, begged his pardon, and remained quiet until the change of guards.

I have seen ministers of justice, clothed in magisterial robes, and criminals arraigned before them, while life was suspended on a breath in the courts of England; I have witnessed a Congress in solemn session to give laws to nations; I have tried to conceive of kings, of royal courts of thrones and crowns; and of emperors assembeld to decide the fate of kingdoms; but dignity and majesty have I seen but once, as it stood in chains, at mid-nite in a dungeon in an obscure village in Missouri. “ Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, pp. 228 -230

How To Overcome Trials D&C 121 • Verses 1 -3 • Verse 7 • Verse 8 & 29 • Verse 11 D&C 122 • Verse 7

Verses 7 -8 Look for what is the good of trials • “Whatever doesn’t kill you…” • Not always true. – Romans 8: 28 • What’s the point of verse 8

How To Overcome Trials On the board, write the lesson you learned next to the verses D&C 121 • Verses 1 -3 • Verse 7 • Verse 8 & 29 • Verse 11 D&C 122 • Verse 7 • Verse 8 • Verse 9 D&C 123 • 16 -17

What is the point of verse 16 -17

What’s something you are going to do next time you are in a trial?

How to have the Power of God in your life • Volunteer • What is the power in the wall represent? • What does the lamp represent • What do the obstacles represent? • Look for what cuts us off in Section 121: 34 -39

Section 121: 41 -46 What makes someone a great leader • Look for how to be a great leader (41 -46)

D&C 123: 12 -13

On the Spot What did we learn about: • • When we have great trials? How long our trials last? Enduring? Having Priesthood power? Being a leader? Purpose of trials? What we should do with our lives? Helms?