D&C 122

Section Overview

What happens in D&C 122

Part of the same Liberty Jail letter as section 121, dated March 1839. The Lord enumerates Joseph's potential sufferings—imprisonment, mob violence, false accusation, betrayal—and declares that 'all these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good.' Joseph's suffering is compared directly to Christ's: 'The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?'

Scripture

The Enumeration of Joseph's Sufferings

Study note

The Lord lists the worst that could befall Joseph: torn from family, cast into the pit, sentenced to death, waves and storms raging against him, friends betraying him, false accusations.

1 The ends of the earth shall inquire after thy name, and fools shall have thee in derision, and hell shall rage against thee;

2 While the pure in heart, and the wise, and the noble, and the virtuous, shall seek counsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under thy hand.

3 And thy people shall never be turned against thee by the testimony of traitors.

4 And although their influence shall cast thee into trouble, and into bars and walls, thou shalt be had in honor; and but for a small moment and thy voice shall be more terrible in the midst of thine enemies than the fierce lion, because of thy righteousness; and thy God shall stand by thee forever and ever.

All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience

Study note

Despite all of this, the Lord declares that these things shall give Joseph experience and be for his good. The Son of Man descended below them all—Joseph is asked if he is greater than Christ.

5 If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea;

6 If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can't you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;

7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

God Is With You Always

Study note

God promises that Joseph's days are known and his years shall not be numbered less. He is told to fear not and that God will be with him forever.

8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.

Key Themes

Themes in D&C 122

Suffering produces experience and growthChrist descended below all thingsNo mortal suffering exceeds what Christ enduredGod's constant companionship in trialsThe refining purpose of adversity

Scripture Connections

How this section connects to Christ

D&C 122 5-7 Hebrews 2:18

The teaching that Christ descended below all things connects to the writer of Hebrews' declaration that because Christ himself has suffered, he is able to succor those who are tempted.

D&C 122 8 Isaiah 43:2

The promise that God is always with Joseph echoes Isaiah's assurance: 'When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.'

D&C 122 1-4 2 Corinthians 11:23-28

Joseph's catalog of sufferings parallels Paul's list of afflictions endured for Christ—imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, and betrayals.

Apply This Today

Living D&C 122

This revelation transforms how we understand suffering. Rather than viewing trials as evidence of God's absence, we can see them as a crucible for growth. The comparison to Christ's suffering puts everything in perspective—no matter how dark our circumstances, Jesus endured worse. His empathy is not theoretical; it is born of personal experience. We are never alone in our pain because Christ has already walked that road ahead of us.

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