D&C 123

One thing that I think is important to keep in mind about section 123 is that it was taken as “an excerpt form an epistle to the Church dated March 29, 1839,” meaning that these aren’t necessarily words straight from the Lord’s mouth, but instead are from the Prophet’s mouth, thus the difference is writing and speaking styles.

123:1-3 - This section deals mostly with what the Saints are to do in response to their persecutors, which is that “all the saints gathering up a knowledge of all the facts, and sufferings and abuses put upon them by the people of this State; and also of all the property and amount of damages which they have sustained, both of character and personal injuries, as well as real property; and also the names of all persons that have had a hand in their oppressions, as far as they can get hold of them and find them out.” In this they acknowledge what is being done to them and giving it an importance, but is not giving the saints permission to try to get revenge or be consumed by anger. The IM quotes President Joseph Fielding Smith as saying, “The law of retribution is often slow, but it is sure. The Lord promised to punish his enemies and mete out to them suitable reward for all the evil they had heaped upon his servants. Punishment for sin does not always follow in this mortal life; the greater part of it quite generally is held in reserve for a future day. That records might be kept on earth as well as in heaven, the Lord commanded (Sec. 123) that there be gathered all the knowledge of all the acts, and sufferings and the abuses put upon the members of the Church by the State of Missouri… This information would be of value when presented before the Government of the United States when the Church should seek justice at the seat of government. If redress could not be obtained there, then the evidence would stand against those who were guilty, before the Eternal Tribunal which will try all men and all things.” When I heard this I had the thought that yes it would be nice to have this information at the Day of Judgment, but wouldn’t it be even better if it never needed to be presented at that time because the guilty parties all repented?

123:4-10 - Joseph Smith now says that the saints are “to gather up the libelous publications that are afloat. And all that are in the magazines, and in the encyclopedias, and all the libelous histories that are published, and are writing, and by whom.” My first thought was “oh that makes sense, the less that’s out there, the less people can read.” The IM quoted Smith and Sjodahl saying, “It is an imperious duty that we owe to God. God knew that the saints were not guilty of the crimes charged to them by enemies, and that they did not hold the doctrines credited to them, but inasmuch as they claimed to be the people of God, their vindication was, in a sense, the vindication of the Deity. If a master has a servant who is falsely accused of crime, in vindicating himself he vindicates the master, since his character reflects, to some extent, the character of his master. ‘As a master, so the servant.’ To angels, the angels who are sent to administer to the Saints have a right to know whether such accusations are true or false. To ourselves, to our wives and children. Silence is sometimes more eloquent then words; but at this time it was necessary to place the accusers and persecutors in the limelight of public opinion, because wives and children had a right to know the full truth.”

123:11-17 – There’s an interesting statement in verse 11 saying, “And also it is an imperative duty that we own to all the rising generation and to all the pure in heart- for there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept form the truth because they know not where to find it. Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven.” The IM has an interesting explanation saying, “may through the years, whether through malice or ignorance, have given false reports of the Church. Great numbers of honest people have believed and passed on these falsehoods because they had no better information. The Saints have a duty to keep the name of the Church unsullied, to defend its reputation, and to correct misrepresentations, so the pure in heart will have the information they need. While we should oppose evil, the Lord has directed the Saints to show love for enemies of the Church. President Spencer W. Kimball closed a conference talk with this plea: ‘Brothers and sisters, pray for the critics of the Church; love your enemies. Keep the faith and stay on the straight and narrow path. Use wisdom and judgment in what you say and do, so that we do not give cause to others to hold the Church or its people in disrepute. Do not be surprised or dismayed if trials and challenges come upon us. This work, which Satan seeks in vain to tear down, is that which God has placed on earth to life mankind up!” Finally, The IM says that “as the years have come and gone, and the terrible injustices of Missouri have been revealed by the records and by the patience and righteousness of the Saints of God,” President Spencer W. Kimball says that the governor of Missouri in 1976 had issued a letter of apology and rescinded the execution order that had been in effect since 1838.”