Liberty Jail, by Welden Andersen

October 20–26: “O God, Where Art Thou?”

Doctrine and Covenants 121–123

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).

See Saints, 1:323–96; “Within the Walls of Liberty Jail,” in Revelations in Context, 256–63.

Ideas for Learning at Home and at Church

Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–10, 23–33; 122

With God, adversity can “be for [my] good.”

When we or people we love are suffering, it is normal to wonder if God is aware of us. As you read Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–6, think about times when you have had questions or feelings similar to Joseph Smith’s. What do you find in the Lord’s response that might help you when you have these questions or feelings? For example, in verses 7–10, 26–33, notice the blessings He promises. What do you think it means to “endure … well”? How does the Savior help you do this?

As you read section 122, consider how the Lord wants you to view your adversities. You might ponder the experiences that have come from your trials and how they might “be for [your] good” (verse 7).

See also Quentin L. Cook, “Personal Peace in Challenging Times,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 89–92; “Where Can I Turn for Peace?,” Hymns, no. 129.

Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–46

True power and influence are based on “the principles of righteousness.”

Worldly power forced the Saints out of Missouri and Joseph Smith into jail. But while Joseph was there, the Lord taught him about a different kind of power: His power, “the powers of heaven.” Reading about that power in Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–46 could help you learn how to receive that power—and how to use it to bless others. Maybe you could record what you learn in a table with columns labeled Powers of Heaven and Worldly Power. How are these two kinds of power different? What do these descriptions of the Lord’s power teach you about Him?

You might also ponder the word influence in verse 41. What are some situations in which you want to be an influence for good—perhaps in a family relationship, at school, at work, or in a Church assignment? What do you learn from verses 41–46 about how God influences His children? You might summarize what you learn by completing a sentence like this one: “To influence for good, I will .”

See also Jeffrey R. Holland, “Not as the World Giveth,” Liahona, May 2021, 35–38; David A. Bednar, “The Powers of Heaven,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 48–51; “The Powers of Heaven” (video), Gospel Library.

"The Powers of Heaven"

Pick a phrase and study it in depth. To learn more about the wonderful blessings described in verses 45–46, you might pick a phrase that stands out to you and study it in depth. For example, what does the word garnish mean, and how can virtue garnish your thoughts? Or maybe you can find a picture of dew and learn about how dew forms on plants. How is this similar to the way the Lord teaches His doctrine? Share what you discover with your family or friends, including your friends at church.

Doctrine and Covenants 122:8

Jesus Christ has descended below all things so that He can lift me up.

What do you think it means to say that Jesus Christ “descended below … all [things]”? Here are some additional verses that might help you understand this phrase: Isaiah 53:3–4; Hebrews 2:17–18; 1 Nephi 11:16–33; Alma 7:11–13. Based on what you learn, consider restating Doctrine and Covenants 122:8 in your own words. How can you show your gratitude to Jesus Christ for descending below all things?

How does this insight from President Dallin H. Oaks affect your understanding? “We might even say that having descended beneath it all, [Jesus Christ] is perfectly positioned to lift us and give us the strength we need to endure our afflictions” (“Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 64).

Detail from Not My Will But Thine, by Walter Rane

Doctrine and Covenants 123

“Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power.”

In Doctrine and Covenants 123:7–8, Joseph Smith referred to false beliefs that led to suffering, including the persecution of the Saints. In March 1839, it may have seemed that there wasn’t much the Saints could do about that. But in his letters written from Liberty Jail, Joseph told them what they could do: “[gather] up a knowledge of all the facts” and “stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 123:1, 17). As you consider the problems in the world today, think about ways to address them that “lie in [your] power” (verses 12, 17). And don’t overlook the seemingly “small things” (verse 15). Why is it important to do these things “cheerfully”? (verse 17).

Many of the accounts that Joseph asked for in this letter were submitted to the government and published as an 11-part series in a Nauvoo newspaper, the Times and Seasons (see “A History, of the Persecution, of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter Day Saints in Missouri, December 1839–October 1840,” [josephsmithpapers.org]).

For more ideas, see this month’s issues of the Liahona and For the Strength of Youth magazines.

People, Places, Events

• Joseph Smith Jr.

• Liberty Jail

Click to see more

Ideas for Teaching Children

Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–9; 122:7–9

With God, my trials can be for my good.

• To help your children imagine what it would have been like for Joseph Smith and his friends in Liberty Jail, you could read together “Chapter 46: Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 172–74) or “Voices of the Restoration: Liberty Jail” or watch part of the video “Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration” (Gospel Library, beginning at 41:30). Then, as you read together Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–9, you could talk about how the Savior helped Joseph feel peace. How do we find peace in the Savior, even during hard times?

  Chapter 46: Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail: November 1838–April 1839

  Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration

• To help your children recognize that our trials can “be for [our] good” (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7), you could talk with them about how our muscles grow when we carry something heavy. You could even invite them to lift a heavy object. Then you could talk about how going through hard times can help our spirits grow—as we turn to the Lord for help. Share some examples from your life.

Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–46

Righteousness brings the “powers of heaven.”

• Perhaps an analogy would help your children understand “the powers of heaven.” For example, you could compare God’s power to electrical power. What might prevent an electrical device from receiving power? What decreases our spiritual power? What increases it? (Look for words and phrases in Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–46; see also General Handbook, 3.5, 3.6, Gospel Library.)

Doctrine and Covenants 122:7–9

Jesus Christ knows what I am going through.

• After reading Doctrine and Covenants 122:7–9 with your children, you might share an experience when you felt the Savior was with you during a difficult trial. You could also sing together a song such as “Jesus Once Was a Little Child” (Children’s Songbook, 55) and testify that Jesus Christ can help us because He knows how we feel.

Doctrine and Covenants 123:15–17

Even small things can make a big difference in God’s service.

• To help your children understand Doctrine and Covenants 123:15–17, you could share with them a picture of a large ship and a small helm, or share with them Elder David A. Bednar’s explanation in “The Principles of My Gospel” (Liahona, May 2021, 125–26). Then you could talk about small ways we can cheerfully serve our family and friends.

“The Principles of My Gospel”

Like the small helm of a big ship, our small efforts can make a big difference.

For more ideas, see this month’s issue of the Friend magazine.

Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail, by Greg Olsen