Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants
Doctrine and Covenants 121–123

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The bottom level of the jail in Liberty, Missouri, was known as “the dungeon.” The walls were thick, the stone floor was cold and filthy, food was scarce and rotten, and the two narrow, iron-barred windows near the ceiling allowed for very little light. This is where Joseph Smith and a few others spent four frigid months during the winter of 1838–39. During this time, Joseph was constantly receiving news about the suffering of the Saints. The peace and optimism felt in Far West had lasted only a few months, and now the Saints were without a home once again, driven into the wilderness in search of yet another place to start over—this time with their Prophet in prison.

And yet, even in that miserable jail, “knowledge from heaven” came “pouring down” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:33). Joseph’s question “O God, where art thou?” was answered clearly and powerfully: “Fear not … , for God shall be with you forever and ever” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:1; 122:9).

D&C 121: Prayer and prophecies written by Joseph Smith the Prophet in an epistle to the Church while he was a prisoner in the jail at Liberty, Missouri, dated March 20, 1839. The Prophet and several companions had been months in prison. Their petitions and appeals directed to the executive officers and the judiciary had failed to bring them relief.

D&C 122: The word of the Lord to Joseph Smith the Prophet, while a prisoner in the jail at Liberty, Missouri. This section is an excerpt from an epistle to the Church dated March 20, 1839 (see the heading to section 121).

D&C 123: Duty of the Saints in relation to their persecutors, as written by Joseph Smith the Prophet while a prisoner in the jail at Liberty, Missouri. This section is an excerpt from an epistle to the Church dated March 20, 1839 (see the heading to section 121).

Your experience studying the scriptures will be richer if your goal is to uncover truth. Begin with a prayer, listen to the Spirit, and record your impressions.

D&C 121: Prayer and prophecies written by Joseph Smith the Prophet in an epistle to the Church while he was a prisoner in the jail at Liberty, Missouri, dated March 20, 1839. The Prophet and several companions had been months in prison. Their petitions and appeals directed to the executive officers and the judiciary had failed to bring them relief.

D&C 122: The word of the Lord to Joseph Smith the Prophet, while a prisoner in the jail at Liberty, Missouri. This section is an excerpt from an epistle to the Church dated March 20, 1839 (see the heading to section 121).

D&C 123: Duty of the Saints in relation to their persecutors, as written by Joseph Smith the Prophet while a prisoner in the jail at Liberty, Missouri. This section is an excerpt from an epistle to the Church dated March 20, 1839 (see the heading to section 121).

Resources on ChurchofJesusChrist.org

•   Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families (lesson materials at ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
•   Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School (lesson materials at ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
•   Come, Follow Me—For Aaronic Priesthood Quorums and Young Women Classes (lesson materials at ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
•   Come, Follow Me—For Primary (lesson materials at ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
•   “Where Can I Turn for Peace?” Hymns, no. 129.

•   If Thou Endure It Well, Doctrine and Covenants Teaching Videos, Elder Robert D. Hales
•   Haun’s Mill, Doctrine and Covenants Teaching Videos, President Henry B. Eyring
• Section 121, Constitution of the Priesthood, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2002), pp 295–300
• Within the Walls of Liberty Jail, Revelations in Context
• Chapter 46: Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–10; 122–23, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2017)
• Chapter 47: Doctrine and Covenants 121:11–46, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2017)
• Section 122, “All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience”, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2002), pp 301–2
• Section 123, Documenting Persecution: An Imperative Duty, Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual (2002), pp 302–3

Resources on Interpreter Foundation

•   Come, Follow Me Study and Teaching Helps — Lesson 43: D&C 121–123, Jonn Claybaugh
•     Audio Roundtable: Come, Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Lesson 43 (D&C 121–123)
•     Nibley Lectures: Come, Follow Me D&C Lesson 43

Resources on Other Sites

  Come, Follow Me Week 43 – Doctrine and Covenants 121-123, FAIR

  Section 121, Harper, Steven C. – D&C Contexts (Book of Mormon Central Archive)

  Section 122, Harper, Steven C. – D&C Contexts (Book of Mormon Central Archive)

  Section 123, Harper, Steven C. – D&C Contexts (Book of Mormon Central Archive)

  Why Were the Saints Driven from Missouri in the Fall of 1838?, Book of Mormon Central KnoWhy #620

  Come Follow Me with Casey Paul Griffiths (Doctrine and Covenants 121-123, October 18-24), Book of Mormon Central

  Come Follow Me Insights (Doctrine and Covenants 121-123, Oct 18-24), Book of Mormon Central

  Come Follow Me: Act in Doctrine (Doctrine and Covenants 121-123, October 18-24), Book of Mormon Central

  Why Did Joseph Write His Famous Letter from Liberty Jail?, Book of Mormon Central KnoWhy #621

  Come Follow Me with Taylor Halverson (Doctrine and Covenants 121-123, October 18-24), Book of Mormon Central

  Come Follow Me with John Hilton III (Doctrine and Covenants 121-123, October 18-24), Book of Mormon Central

  Myths and Facts about Liberty Jail – Interview with Alex Baugh, Doctrine & Covenants Central

  Doctrine & Covenants 121, Doctrine & Covenants Central

  Doctrine & Covenants 122, Doctrine & Covenants Central

  Doctrine & Covenants 123, Doctrine & Covenants Central

  Hard Questions in Church History with Lynne Hilton Wilson: Week 43 (D&C 121-123, Oct 18-24), Doctrine & Covenants Central

  Stunning 3D Recreation of Liberty Jail, Doctrine & Covenants Central

  Myths and Facts about Liberty Jail – Interview with Alex Baugh, Doctrine & Covenants Central

  We Explored Liberty Jail and Created a 3D Model!, Doctrine & Covenants Central

  Joseph Smith’s FULL letter written while in Liberty Jail – featuring John W. Welch, Doctrine & Covenants Central

  Come Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants 121-123 (Oct. 18-24) Don’t Miss This, Don’t Miss This

  Come Follow Me – Doctrine and Covenants 121-123: “Peace Be unto Thy Soul”, Unshaken

  Come, Follow Me Podcast #43: “O God, Where Art Thou?”, Doctrine and Covenants 121-123, Meridian Magazine

  Come, Follow Me for Sunday School: “O God, Where Art Thou?”, Doctrine and Covenants 121-123, Meridian Magazine

  October 18–24, 2021 Come, Follow Me Songs, Music for Latter-day Life

  Doctrine and Covenants 121 to 123 – “O God, Where Art Thou?”, BYU Studies

Legacy Resources

• The Textual Context of Doctrine and Covenants 121–23 from Religious Educator Vol. 13 No. 1 · 2012
•   BYU Religious Education Discussions on the Doctrine and Covenants: Peace Be Unto Thy Soul D&C 121
•   BYU Religious Education Discussions on the Doctrine and Covenants: Art Thou Greater Than He? D&C 122-123