Episode 73: D&C 121-123

Ben and Shiloh are excited to talk about D&C 121, and they find that there are always new rich and beneficial conversations about the scriptures whenever we approach them with excitement. This week’s readings come from the time when Joseph and his companions were in Liberty Jail. Liberty Jail becomes a pivotal moment in Joseph’s life as he is not really the same person who comes out of that experience as he was when he went into it. In these particular sections we can see, hear, and feel Joseph’s trauma, and we can see that God is responding to and comforting Joseph in specific ways that are unique to his own fears, pain, and worldview. By seeing D&C 121 as God’s comforting Joseph’s particular fears and concerns in a language and way that Joseph comprehends, we can more clearly make sense as to the stark transitions that this section makes from a seemingly wrathful, vengeful, and spiteful God that doesn’t seem to necessarily follow through on his wrath to a comforting God that speaks of his own cosmic power and authority in terms of persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, love, kindness, and pure knowledge that are all without compulsory means. What do we as a community actually know about the priesthood? We have all had many lessons about the differences between the power and authority of the priesthood, supporting the priesthood, and the administration of the rites/ordinances of the priesthood, but D&C 121 offers a very unique moment in discussing the meta-narrative and principle of God’s priesthood.