“O God, Where Art Thou?”
Why is life so hard? Why do we hurt so much? Is there any way to suffer less? These are important questions to answer… but we can only answer for ourselves. When it comes to the suffering of others, our covenental obligation is clear: to show up, sit with them, and see them through.
This episode explores the vital relationships between pain, suffering, and acceptance.
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You can access my Lesson Notes here (or PDF).
Updated Church Resources
- “Light in the Darkness, Liberty in a Jail”: This narrative will help you contemplate the suffering of Joseph Smith and other captives in Liberty Jail and ponder the power of the revelations Joseph received there.
- “Within the Walls of Liberty Jail”: This article gives context for Doctrine and Covenants 121, 122, and 123.
- “Peace and Violence among 19th-Century Latter-day Saints”: This Gospel Topics essay gives historical context for violence both against and by Latter-day Saints in the 19th century.
- “Waiting for the Word of the Lord”: This article discusses the crisis created by early persecution of the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri, and the role that revelation played in the Saints’ response.
- “Preparation of Joseph Smith: Strengthened by Trials”: This two-minute video features quotes from Joseph Smith about trials.
- The Armenian Exodus: This online exhibit describes the trials of Latter-day Saints in Turkey and Syria during and after World War I.
- “Letter to the Church and Edward Partridge, 20 March 1839”: This page from the Joseph Smith Papers website gives the text of the longer letter that Doctrine and Covenants 121 and 122 were extracted from.
Thanks to Trent Oliphant for editing the updated episode, even while on a family trip!
Engaging Gospel Doctrine 
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