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


“Chapter 46: Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail: November 1838–April 1839,” Doctrine and Covenants Stories (2002), 172–74

“Chapter 46,” Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 172–74

Chapter 46

Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail

November 1838–April 1839

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couple in wagon
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Joseph and friends being taken to Liberty Jail

Joseph Smith and his friends were imprisoned for many days in Richmond, Missouri. Then they were taken to a jail in Liberty, Missouri.

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Joseph and friends in Liberty Jail

Joseph and his friends were kept in Liberty Jail for more than four months. They suffered very much. The jail was cold and dirty, and sometimes they were tied with chains. They had to sleep on the floor.

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Joseph holding sick friend

The food was not good. Sometimes it was poisoned and made them sick.

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Joseph worrying

Joseph was sad. He did not know if he and his friends would ever get out of jail. He was worried about his family and the members of the Church.

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Joseph praying

Joseph prayed to ask Heavenly Father how long he and the Saints would have to suffer. He also asked Heavenly Father to help them.

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Joseph envisioning his friends

Answering this prayer, Jesus told Joseph to have peace. He said Joseph’s troubles would last only a little while. Jesus also said that if Joseph would be faithful, God would bless him. Jesus told Joseph that his friends still loved him and that he would soon be with them.

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men dying in battle

Jesus said the wicked people who had hurt the Saints would be punished. They and their children would suffer. They would not have the priesthood.

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Joseph envisioning the Saints

Jesus told Joseph that many good things would happen to the Saints. Nothing could stop God from blessing them. The Holy Ghost would teach them wonderful things about the heavens and the earth.

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Joseph envisioning sacrifice of Christ

Jesus said Joseph should not be afraid of what men could do to him. Jesus said problems and suffering can be for our good because they help us learn. Jesus reminded Joseph that He had suffered more than anyone else. Jesus encouraged Joseph to be faithful and promised that God would be with him.