Trivia Correction: Trivia question #4 has been changed to “Which section of the Doctrine and Covenants contains a letter written by Joseph Smith from Liberty Jail?” from “Which section of the Doctrine and Covenants does NOT contain a letter written by Joseph Smith from Liberty Jail?” The answer has been changed to Answer C (Section 121) from Answer A (Section 88).*

“O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?” — Joseph Smith¹

In late 1838, Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Caleb Baldwin, and Alexander McRae were transferred to Liberty Jail in Liberty, Missouri, to await trial on charges of treason, with execution as the maximum penalty.² Major General John C. Clark of the militia also accused the Saints of “murder, arson, burglary, robbery, larceny and perjury.”³ Shackled together and transported in a large wagon, they arrived at the small stone jail on a cold December day. A crowd gathered to see the prisoners, and Joseph greeted them politely before entering the dark prison.²

Life in Liberty Jail was harsh. Visits from family and friends dwindled as the Saints fled to Illinois, leaving the prisoners isolated.⁴ Sidney Rigdon, who was gravely ill, was released on bail in January 1839, but the others remained. The prisoners endured the cold of winter, inadequate food, and constant heckling. Joseph's concern for the scattered Saints weighed heavily on him.⁵ Despite the harsh conditions, he maintained communication with church members and leaders, writing several letters, some of which became part of the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 121, 122, 123).⁶

*Doctrine and Covenants 121, Section Heading

1. Doctrine and Covenants 122:1

2. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 31, 369-370

3. Introduction to State of Missouri v. Gates et al. for Treason, josephsmithpaper.org

4. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 32, 374-375

5. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 33, 384-385

6. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 33, 390; “Liberty, Missouri,” josephsmithpapers.org