KnoWhy #339 - What Did The Book Of Mormon Teach The Early Saints About Enduring Persecution? (2 Nephi 26:8)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endured much persecution in its early years. In 1838, Governor Lilburn W. Boggs of Missouri issued an order that “the Mormons must be treated as enemies and must be exterminated or driven from the state.” Soon afterwards, at Haun’s Mill, 17 Mormon men and boys were killed by a large mob, and Joseph and Hyrum Smith were arrested on false charges. Although the early Latter-day Saints endured many such tribulations and persecutions that were seemingly unbearable, they knew that the Lord was with them and had faith that He would help them bear those burdens. This faith was inspired by the revelations that the Lord was giving to their beloved prophet, Joseph Smith, and also by examples found in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon would have given the early Church many examples of people who were persecuted because of their beliefs, and how they were able to endure in faith and find relief. They would have learned that although pride and disobedience often brought on persecution, humility and obedience would bring down the powers of heaven on their behalf.