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Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel

Keywords

Document analysis, Joseph Smith, Liberty Jail, Liberty Jail Letters

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Joseph Smith’s experience in Liberty Jail stands among the most faith-challenging, helpless, and discouraging moments of his life. His letters during this time are of such significance that portions have been canonized as scripture and are among the most cited sections by church leaders in general conference.1 This paper provides an exegesis of portions of Joseph Smith’s Liberty Jail letters with a specific focus on the transition in pronoun usage in his dictation of Doctrine and Covenants 121 and 122. Despite ample scholarly attention on these letters, there appears to be limited discussion regarding Joseph’s change of language in the verses leading from section 121 to 122. It is our position that the use of formal pronouns consistently mirrors voice transitions between Joseph’s voice and the Lord’s. This study expands our understanding of Joseph’s revelatory experience and has implications for the Saints and religious educators. For clarity, we recommend the reader refer to a copy of the Doctrine and Covenants as they read the article.

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