D&C 135 – John Taylor reports the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith Historical Context Steven Harper gives the following historical background to D&C 135: It was “a deliberate political assassination, committed or condoned by some of the leading citizens of Hancock County.”[1]Dallin H. Oaks and Marvin S. Hill, CarthageContinue Reading

Joseph Smith’s first plural marriage, from the historical sources we now have, seems to have been a young woman by the name of Fanny Alger. While there are missing gaps in the record, from the collected sources we do have some information. From Saints,[1]Saints, Volume 1: The Standard of Truth,Continue Reading

D&C 129 – Instructions by Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, Feb. 9, 1843 Historical Background When the Prophet first learned these principles contained in D&C 129 is not known. We can be confident, however, that it was some time before this section was recorded. Given that all priesthood and keys restored inContinue Reading

Historical Background Casey Paul Griffiths[1]Casey Paul Griffiths, Doctrine and Covenants Minute. Accessed 9.20.21. provides background for this section: Following their forced exodus from Missouri, the Latter-day Saints regrouped in Illinois as refugees on the banks of the Mississippi River. Joseph Smith and his companions were freed from their captivity in LibertyContinue Reading

Much of the background to this section is related in the previous discussion surrounding the events in D&C 115-120, events surrounding the details of the Mormon War of 1838.[1]Leland Gentry and Todd Compton, Fire and Sword: A History of the Latterday-Saints in Northern Missouri, 1836-1839, Greg Kofford Books, 2010.; Stephen LeSueur, TheContinue Reading

D&C 115-120 Quotes and Notes We worked to make sure that the majority of what we cover in this podcast is in our show notes. However, there is so much material in this podcast, that we were unable to put everything in these notes, and for this, I apologize. MuchContinue Reading

Historical Background to Section 111 After the great spirit that was felt at the dedication of the Kirtland temple in the spring of 1836, missionaries for the church left in every direction to go and preach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Bishop Edward Partridge, who had come north toContinue Reading

D&C 109 The Dedicatory Prayer of the Kirtland Temple – March 27, 1836 Historical Background The following background information provided by Ostler and McConkie is valuable: In preparation for the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, the Prophet Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Oliver Cowdery, as well as Warren A. CowderyContinue Reading

D&C 102 February 17, 1834 Historical Background During the winter of 1833-4, while the Saints in Missouri were still in distress at having been driven out of Jackson County and the Kirtland Saints were making preparations to come to their aid, Joseph Smith continued to receive revelation on a numberContinue Reading

D&C 98 August 6, 1833 The historical background, much of which provided here by Garrett and Robinson is worthy of note: Although Joseph Smith wrote almost nothing about the reception of Doctrine and Covenants 98 in his History of the Church, that revelation was one of three Joseph included in a letterContinue Reading