July 1838 — Sections 117, 118, 119, & 120 received. Tensions escalate between Latter-day Saints and Missouri settlers, especially in Daviess County, where Saints begin settling in Adam-ondi-Ahman. The Church continues organizing stakes and expanding settlements, but growing hostility leads to threats of violence.
August 1838 — Election Day Riot occurs in Gallatin, Missouri, when Saints are blocked from voting, sparking physical conflict and intensifying anti-Mormon sentiment. Joseph Smith and other leaders begin preparing for defense, as local militias mobilize against the Saints.
September 1838 — Mob violence increases; Saints are driven from outlying settlements and consolidate in Far West and Adam-ondi-Ahman. Governor Lilburn W. Boggs receives reports of unrest and begins considering military intervention.
October 1838 — Oct 27: Governor Boggs issues the infamous Extermination Order, declaring that Mormons must be “exterminated or driven from the state.”
Oct 30: The Haun’s Mill Massacre occurs; 17 Saints are killed by a mob in Caldwell County, including children and elderly men.
November 1838 — Joseph Smith and other leaders are arrested and imprisoned in Liberty Jail, facing charges of treason and inciting rebellion. Saints begin fleeing Missouri under duress, seeking refuge in neighboring counties and states.
December 1838 — Conditions worsen for imprisoned Church leaders in Liberty Jail; they endure cold, hunger, and isolation. The Saints continue their exodus from Missouri, marking the end of the Church’s major presence in the state.
Jan 1839 — Joseph Smith and other Church leaders remain imprisoned in Liberty Jail, enduring harsh winter conditions and spiritual trials. The Saints, scattered and displaced by the Missouri persecutions, begin regrouping in Quincy, Illinois, where they receive aid from local residents.
Feb 1839 — Church members continue to flee Missouri under duress, seeking refuge in Illinois and Iowa.
March 1839 — Joseph Smith writes the powerful “Liberty Jail letters”; parts become D&C 121–123. The Saints begin organizing temporary settlements in Quincy and surrounding areas, laying groundwork for future relocation.
April 1839 — Joseph Smith and fellow prisoners are transferred from Liberty Jail to Gallatin and then to Columbia, Missouri, under continued legal pressure. Church leaders in Illinois begin exploring settlement options, including land in Commerce, Illinois, along the Mississippi River.
May 1839 — Joseph Smith and companions escape custody during a transfer and reunite with their families in Illinois. The Saints begin purchasing land in Commerce, initiating plans to establish a new gathering place.
June 1839 — Joseph Smith and Church leaders formally begin settling Commerce, which will later be renamed Nauvoo. The Saints continue arriving from Missouri, and the community begins organizing under Joseph Smith’s leadership.
July 1839 — Joseph Smith and other Church leaders begin settling in Commerce, Illinois, which would later be renamed Nauvoo. The Church begins purchasing land in Commerce for settlement and development.
August 1839 — Joseph Smith and others continue organizing the community in Commerce. The area is officially named Nauvoo, meaning “beautiful place” in Hebrew.
September 1839 — Joseph Smith and Elias Higbee travel to Washington, D.C., to seek redress from the federal government for the Saints’ losses in Missouri. Joseph Smith begins dictating his history, which would later become part of the History of the Church and Joseph Smith—History in the Pearl of Great Price.
October 1839 — Joseph Smith and Elias Higbee meet with President Martin Van Buren, who declines to help the Saints recover losses from Missouri persecutions. The First Presidency continues organizing the Church in Nauvoo.
November 1839 — Joseph Smith returns to Nauvoo from Washington, D.C. The Church continues to grow in Nauvoo, with increasing numbers of Saints arriving from Missouri and other areas.
December 1839 — The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles begins preparations for a mission to Great Britain, which would commence in early 1840. Nauvoo’s development continues, including plans for a temple and city infrastructure.
January 1840 — The Saints in Nauvoo begin organizing their community more formally, despite ongoing health challenges.
Jan 5: Joseph Smith and Elias Higbee meet with U.S. government officials in Washington, D.C., seeking redress for Missouri persecutions.
Jan 13: Joseph Smith writes to Hyrum Smith and others in Nauvoo, reporting on the lack of federal support. Joseph Smith and Elias Higbee continue their petition for redress in Washington, D.C., meeting with federal officials.
February 1840 — Feb 15: - Joseph Smith and Elias Higbee continue lobbying Congress; they meet with several senators and representatives.
Feb 29: Joseph Smith returns to Nauvoo after his Washington trip, resuming leadership duties. The Church begins to stabilize after the Missouri expulsion, with increased migration to Nauvoo.
March 1840 — Mar 1: Joseph Smith preaches in Nauvoo, emphasizing the importance of gathering and temple building.
Mar 15: The Saints continue purchasing land in Nauvoo and begin organizing the city layout. Joseph Smith preaches on the importance of gathering and temple building, laying spiritual groundwork for future revelations.
April 1840 — Apr 6: Church members commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Church’s organization with a conference in Nauvoo.
Apr 15: Missionary work intensifies in England; Wilford Woodruff begins preaching in Herefordshire. The Church holds a general conference in Nauvoo to commemorate its 10th anniversary.
May 1840 — May 14: Joseph Smith teaches the doctrine of baptism for the dead, marking a major theological development.
May 27: The first issue of the Millennial Star is published in Manchester, England, by Parley P. Pratt. The Millennial Star begins circulation.
June 1840 — June 6: The first group of British converts departs Liverpool aboard the Britannia, beginning organized emigration to Nauvoo.
June 27: Joseph Smith continues work on his personal history, which will later become part of the History of the Church.
July 1840 — Nauvoo’s population grows to over 3,000 Saints, with thousands more settling nearby in Iowa Territory and Hancock County, Illinois. Joseph Smith announces plans to build a temple in Nauvoo.
August 1840 — John C. Bennett, quartermaster general of the Illinois state militia, expresses interest in joining the Church and relocating to Nauvoo; Joseph Smith encourages his move. Church leaders continue addressing land debt issues, negotiating with creditors like Horace Hotchkiss.
September 1840 — The First Presidency establishes a new stake at Ramus, Illinois, expanding Church organization. Missionary reports from England highlight rapid growth: over 3,600 members now in the British Isles, with some converts beginning to emigrate to Nauvoo.
October 1840 — The Millennial Star reports continued success in England; the Twelve Apostles oversee missionary efforts and emigration logistics. Nauvoo’s development accelerates, with increased construction and community planning.
November 1840 — Church leaders focus on printing a new edition of the Book of Mormon in Cincinnati; funds are raised by Nauvoo High Council members. Internal tensions arise as reports from Kirtland reveal doctrinal disputes and criticism of Church leadership, prompting disciplinary actions.
December 1840 — The Church continues to consolidate its presence in Nauvoo, with increasing migration from Europe and other U.S. regions. Planning intensifies for the Nauvoo Temple and Nauvoo House.
January 1841 — Jan 19: A revelation (D&C 124), is received, directing the Saints to build the Nauvoo Temple and the Nauvoo House, a boarding house for visitors. The British edition of the Book of Mormon is published in Manchester, England, supporting missionary efforts in Europe.
Section 121 contains one of the most poignant imprecations in Latter-day Saint scripture, found in verses 7-8. Written by Joseph Smith while imprisoned in Liberty Jail, these verses express his deep anguish and plea for divine justice against those who have wronged him and the Saints. The imprecation reads:
"O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place? How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thy wrath be like fire against the inhabitants of the earth? ... Let thine anger be turned away from thy people, and let not thy wrath be kindled against them; but spare them, O God, that they may know that thou art God."
This imprecation reflects Joseph Smith's profound sense of betrayal and suffering at the hands of his persecutors. It underscores the themes of patience, faith, and reliance on divine justice that permeate the section. Despite his hardships, Joseph Smith appeals to God's mercy and justice rather than seeking personal vengeance, demonstrating a deep spiritual resilience.
Only other imprecation of similar nature in the doctrine is found in Section 109.
Section 122 offers profound comfort and perspective on suffering, delivered to Joseph Smith during his imprisonment. In verse 7, the Lord reassures Joseph that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. This message emphasizes that trials and
Section 123 contains a powerful promise from the Lord to Joseph Smith and the Saints. In verse 17, the Lord declares that He will be with His people in their afflictions and will ultimately deliver them from their trials. This assurance serves as a source of hope and strength for the Saints as they navigate the challenges of their faith journey.
Section 124 provides detailed instructions for the construction of the Nauvoo Temple and the Nauvoo House. The Lord emphasizes the importance of these buildings as sacred spaces for worship, gathering, and hospitality. The section also outlines the roles and responsibilities of Church leaders in overseeing these projects, highlighting the communal effort required to establish a spiritual center for the Saints.
hardships are part of God's plan for His children, shaping them for greater purposes. The verse reads:"All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."
This assurance from the Lord encourages Joseph Smith to endure his trials with faith and patience, trusting that his suffering has a divine purpose. It also serves as a reminder to all believers that their challenges can lead to growth and greater blessings when approached with faith.
The revelations in Sections 121-124 not only address Joseph Smith's immediate circumstances but also provide timeless lessons for all believers. They highlight the importance of faith, patience, and reliance on divine guidance during times of trial. The sections also underscore the significance of community and collective effort in building a spiritual foundation, as seen in the instructions for constructing the Nauvoo Temple and Nauvoo House.
Overall, these sections offer profound insights into the nature of suffering, divine justice, and the power of faith, serving as enduring sources of inspiration for Latter-day Saints and others seeking spiritual growth.
Doctrine and Covenants as a "small plates" -- My daughter's insight
Evolution of Pharisees to Rabbis: The Pharisees emphasized oral tradition, interpretation, and personal piety. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, their interpretive approach became the foundation of Rabbinic Judaism. Figures such as Gamaliel the Elder bridged the Pharisaic period and the emerging rabbinic leadership, which preserved Israel’s faith through study and teaching.
The Talmud: Derived from a Hebrew word meaning “study” or “instruction,” the Talmud is the central text of Rabbinic Judaism, second in authority only to the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). It is the primary source of halakha (Jewish law) and rabbinic theology.
Mishnah: A codification of oral traditions and interpretive reasoning that applies scripture to daily life, forming the basis for Jewish legal discussion.
Midrash: A method of Jewish biblical interpretation that seeks deeper meaning in scripture by exploring narrative gaps, symbolism, and moral implications. Midrash often reframes familiar stories, asks probing questions of the text, and sometimes leaves those questions open, inviting continued reflection.
The following psalms call upon God to bring justice or judgment upon the wicked. They express anguish, faith, and the human longing for divine vindication in the face of oppression.
Atrophy of muscles - challenged with PT.
What prevents atrophy?
College - Low ceiling house torture