1. Sections 121, 122

2. On October 27, 1838, Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs wrote to General John B. Clark, “The Mormons [are] in the attitude of open and avowed defiance of the laws, and of having made open war upon the people of this state.... must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the state... For the public peace.”

3. July 4 th, 1838 “Salt Sermon” by Sidney Rigdon On 27 October 1838 Lilburn W. Boggs, governor of Missouri, issued the infamous extermination order (HC, 3:175). Four days later the Prophet and several leaders of the Church were betrayed into the hands of the Missourians at Far West, Missouri. For the next several weeks Joseph Smith and his associates were abused and insulted, forced to march to Independence and then to Richmond, and on 30 November 1838 incarcerated in Liberty Jail in Missouri (HC, 3:188-89, 215). These men had not been convicted of any crime; nevertheless, they were held in the jail for several months. Betrayal and Sentence of Joseph Smith

6. On the night of October 31, 1838, the Saints prayed all night for the brethren who had been taken prisoner by the Missouri State Militia. Two days later Joseph and others were sentenced to be shot, but General Alexander Doniphan refused to carry out the order. 53 LDS men were held for trial in Richmond. Eventually all but 10 were released. Joseph Smith and five others were sent to Liberty Jail, the other five remained in Richmond Jail.

9. After listening to the obscene language of the jailers, Elder Pratt writes: I had listened till I became so disgusted, shocked, horrified,... I could scarcely refrain from rising upon my feet and rebuking the guards; but had said nothing to Joseph, or anyone else, although I lay next to him and knew he was awake. On a sudden he arose to his feet, and spoke in a voice of thunder, or as the roaring lion, uttering as near as I can recollect, 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!"

10. 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 till a change of guards. I have seen the 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 assembled to decide the fate of kingdoms; but dignity and majesty have I seen but once, as it stood in chains, at midnight, in a dungeon in an obscure village of Missouri. (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, pp. 210-11)

13. The Prophet Joseph Smith and his companions (Hyrum Smith, Lyman Wight, Caleb Baldwin, Alexander McRae and, for part of the time, Sidney Rigdon) suffered greatly while they were held in the jail awaiting trial on false charges: Alexander McRae said, `We could not eat it until we were driven to it by hunger' (Roberts, Comprehensive History of the Church, 1:521). “They were suffered very little contact with the outside world, especially during the first month or so of their confinement. And this, at a crucial time when the Latter-day Saints were at the peak of persecution in Missouri, and were desperately in need of their prophet-leader." (Dyer, Refiner's Fire, pp. 275-76.)

16. Between 20 March and 25 March 1839, the Prophet Joseph dictated a lengthy communication that was signed by all the prisoners (actually there were two letters, although the Prophet identified the second as a continuation of the first). Sections 121, 122, and 123 were extracted from this communication and included in the 1876 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants by Elder Orson Pratt under the direction of President Brigham Young.

18. 1877 Brigham Young is at the end of his administration as prophet. He is making final preparations for his death He does not want Joseph’s letter to be lost. Brigham calls Orson Pratt to review the letters Sustained as scripture October Conference 1880 HC 3:289-305

19. 1-6 – Joseph pleads for the Saints 7-10 – God speaks peace to Joseph 11-17 – The wicked are cursed 18-25 – Wicked shall not have priesthood 26-32 – Promises to those valiant 33-40 – Why many called, few chosen 41-46 – How priesthood should be used

20. 1. Oh God where art thou? 2. Where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place? 3. How long shall thy hand be stayed? 4. How long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppressions? 5. Let thine anger be kindled against thy enemies 6. Remember thy suffering Saints

21. Florence Hansen, Expulsion from Missouri

23. “... My dear Emma. I very well know your toils and sympathize with you. If God will spare my life once more to have the privilege of taking care of you, I will ease your care and endeavor to comfort your heart. I want you to take the best care of the family.... What [do] those little prattlers say that cling around your neck. Do you tell them I am in prison and that their lives might be saved?.... Yours forever, Joseph March 21, 1839

24. 1-4 – The ends of the earth shall inquire after the name of Joseph Smith 5-7 – All Joseph’s trials will be for his good 8- Joseph Christ has descended below them all 9 – Bounds of Joseph’s enemies are set, they cannot pass. [Divine intervention so that Joseph could finish his work on earth]

26. Referring to the imprisonment and other terrible injustices suffered by Joseph Smith, President Brigham Young said that the Prophet progressed toward perfection more in thirty-eight years because of the severe tribulation through which he successfully passed than he would have been able to do in a thousand years without it (see Journal of Discourses, 2:7). The Savior's life is the perfect example of enduring tribulation (see D&C 122:7-8). Here is the point of the whole concern: If one can look to the Savior or to the Prophet as models of endurance, one may find hope and strength to endure one's own afflictions.

27. Why suffering (See D&C 121:10; 122:4-8) Adversities of mortality occupy but a small moment of eternity. (See D&C 121:7) When we wonder "how long," we are comforted in knowing it won't be too long. It won't be a longer time than the individual can endure. Do more than just endure adversity—we are to endure it well. (See D&C 121:8) Our tribulations may seem monumental until we compare them with some others. (See D&C 121:9-10) A faithful Latter-day Saint is never really alone. Avoid the spirit of bitterness. (See D&C 123:17)

28. “Flowers shed most of their perfume when they are crushed. Men and women have to suffer just so much in order to bring out the best that is in them.” Elder Orson F. Whitney

29. Therefore dearly beloved brethren, 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. Joseph Smith, D&C 123:17