Church History Matters 177 - D&C 136 CFM - Latter-day Exodus & How God Forged Us Into A New People - E48B November 24-30
19 snips
Nov 19, 2025 Dive into the tumultuous aftermath of Joseph Smith's martyrdom as the Saints faced dire conditions at Winter Quarters. Explore how leadership emerged with Brigham Young during the complex Latter-day Exodus. The conversation touches on daily life, mortality, and spiritual practices that shaped this journey. Discover the impact of Section 136, bridging historical struggles with the forging of a new identity. Unpack the controversies surrounding succession and the nature of prophetic revelation following Joseph's death.
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Revelation Beyond Joseph Smith
- Section 136 is the first canonical revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants not received by Joseph Smith and frames Brigham Young as the divinely guided leader for the westward exodus.
- The revelation clarified leadership, commanded covenant obedience, and steadied the Saints during a critical crisis at Winter Quarters.
Harsh Winter Quarters Reality
- Winter Quarters was squalid, disease-ridden, and deadly with about 723 deaths among 8,750 Saints during that winter.
- Wilford Woodruff and visitors like Thomas L. Cain recorded deep sorrow and visible exhaustion among the camp.
Temple Covenants Fueled Practical Sacrifice
- The revelation ties temple covenants (including consecration) to practical obligations for the Exodus, motivating mutual aid and organized migration.
- Those temple promises sustained pioneers and shaped rescue efforts like the 1856 relief for the Martin and Willie handcart companies.
