History of the Church Vol. 3

The third volume of the History of the Church by Joseph Smith was certainly the most depressing. This volume contains the entire history of the Missouri period of Church History. While none of the stories were necessarily new to me, the detail and perspectives of the persecuted were incredible. It is difficult to understand how the mobs could have been so inhumane and ruthless. Towards the end of the book, Joseph Smith very clearly states that no single religious or political party was responsible for the atrocities that occurred, but all seemed to be united against the "Mormons".

I like reading the commentary by  B.H. Roberts because he adds commentaries in the footnotes that often expound on something by quoting from another individual, or else he offers insight on events that transpired after the history was written. He actually begins this volume talking about a prophecy Joseph Smith told Alexander Doniphan (who did his best to help the Church during the Missouri period). A man offered to pay Doniphan in property in Jackson County, and Joseph encouraged him not to accept it, because it would be destroyed. B. H. Roberts then gives an account of the destruction that Missouri suffered during the Civil War. Ironically, many of the things they either accused the saints of, or things they did against the saints happened to them.

It was ridiculous to read about the "legal processes" surrounding the arrest of church leaders. They were arrested by an army and were going to be court marshaled and sentenced to death, except they weren't part of a military, so they couldn't legally be court marshaled. So the general researched the entire military law, trying to find some excuse to kill them. Being unsuccessful, he turned them over to the civil judges to try them. The judges were just as corrupt, and whenever the leaders tried to produce a witness, the witnesses were either arrested, beaten, or driven from the state. Finally, realizing they had no real case against the prisoners, they were eventually released and actually aided by their captors.

I had heard about Joseph rebuking the guards for their foul language, and I had heard about what evil acts the mob committed against the "Mormons", but not until I read this did I realize the extent of how horrible the mob was. After reading about the horrible things they did, I can't believe they were only rebuked once!

However, amidst all this darkness, it was really neat to read about those who remained faithful. So many abandoned the Church at this time, and many of those turned against it with the black heart of a traitor. But many, many others remained true and steadfast. These people risked their lives multiple times, and were only preserved by the hand of God. They are an inspiration to me. I can see how the Missouri trials truly purified the Church at that time. Many of the tares were removed from the crop, and many among the Lord's wheat were gathered to Him and preserved. In my own trials in life, which can never compare with what these people had to suffer, I hope I can always prove myself steadfast and immovable, just like the heroes of this period of Church History.