Standard of Truth S5E44 Letters from Liberty
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Oct 23, 2025 Dive into the poignant letters from Liberty Jail, where Joseph Smith grapples with grief amid state-sanctioned violence in Missouri. Discover the heart-wrenching context behind the teachings in Doctrine & Covenants 121–123, emphasizing themes of unrighteous dominion and justice. Hear about the personal losses faced by the Saints, including Amanda Smith's affidavit. The discussion also highlights the importance of responding to violence with grace and upholding hope during trials. It's a powerful reminder of resilience and faith in the face of adversity.
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Match Reader Need To The Right Resource
- Use the Saints volumes for accessible church narrative and Revelations in Context for specific Doctrine & Covenants topics.
- Direct curious people to Gospel Topics Essays when concerns center on early events like the First Vision.
How Liberty Jail Letters Became Canon
- Sections 121–123 are excerpts from two long Liberty Jail letters Joseph Smith wrote in March 1839.
- Orson Pratt later excerpted and rearranged many private writings into the Doctrine and Covenants.
Missouri Violence Was State Action
- The Missouri conflict involved state militia violence, murder, and large-scale dispossession of Saints.
- Joseph's letters respond to systemic state-perpetrated atrocities, not mere local mobbing.
