Ep. 401: Doctrine & Covenants 135 Joseph Smith the Prophet

Podcast Welcome back to another uplifting morning of Streaking the Scriptures. Even if the sun is a little higher than usual, the spirit of morning study is still alive and well. In today's episode, Jeff takes us into Doctrine and Covenants sections 135 and 136—two chapters filled with weight, history, testimony, and deep personal application. Before diving into the text, Jeff shares an experience he had while out on a run—an experience involving a podcast, a message that was good, a delivery that wasn't, and a moment of honest wrestling about charity, irritation, and how we respond when something pricks us the wrong way. That reflection becomes a powerful doorway into understanding the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, the resilience of the Saints, and the Savior's pattern of seeking the one. Together, you'll explore how these sections speak to courage, divine purpose, faithfulness, and the heart-softening gift of charity—even when you're provoked. Let's begin. Chapters 00:00 – A Late Morning Start & A Running-Trail Insight Jeff sets the scene with a personal story from his morning run, describing how a podcast message struck him wrong and why it stirred something in his heart. 03:00 – Introducing Sections 135 & 136: Power Chapters in a Painful Moment A transition into the historical context—Nauvoo, persecution, and the devastating news of Joseph and Hyrum's martyrdom. 05:15 – Reading Section 135 in Full Jeff reads the entire section without interruption, allowing its testimony and tone to stand on their own. 13:30 – What the Saints Must Have Felt A reflection on grief, faith, shock, and the seeming contradiction of a prophet of God being taken by violence. 15:00 – The Lord's Work Moves Forward How the Church, by divine design, continued despite the loss—and what that truth offers us in our own trials. 16:00 – "A Conscience Void of Offense": Personal Application Jeff explores how Joseph's words invite us to examine our own discipleship and integrity. 17:00 – The Lost Sheep & the Call to Care for the One Turning to Luke 15, Jeff connects the Savior's parable to the earlier story about charity, irritation, and how we reach those in need. 20:00 – Separating Doctrine From Delivery An honest discussion about distinguishing eternal principles from imperfect presentation and avoiding comparison in discipleship. 24:00 – Programs, People, and Why Both Matter Jeff reflects on social gatherings, fellowship, and the purpose behind activities, planning, and service within the Lord's kingdom. 29:00 – Details, Atmosphere, and the Spirit's Influence Why even "small things" like planning a ward activity or temple details contribute to lifting hearts and strengthening faith. 31:30 – Charity as the Key Tying the episode together with Ether's teaching on charity, Hyrum's final scripture, and our call to be faithful and true. Conclusion As you close this episode, take with you the steady conviction of Joseph and Hyrum—their courage, their clarity of conscience, and their unwavering devotion to the Lord's will. Their lives remind us that discipleship is not a passive path; it's a daily choosing, a daily becoming, a daily softening of the heart toward God and His children. If today's study stirred something in you—a desire to build charity, to strengthen consistency, or to keep your spiritual habits simple and steady—you'll find real power in making those moments into streaks. The MyStreaks – Streak Tracker app is designed exactly for that purpose. It helps you stay consistent in scripture study, prayer, acts of service, or any faith-centered practice you want to anchor into your life. Track your spiritual streaks, receive encouragement, join groups, and let small, daily actions shape the disciple you're becoming. Until we study the scriptures together again, keep building charity, keep choosing faith—and as always, keep streaking the scriptures.