1. Strength amid Opposition Lesson 15 ~ Student Readings:
• Doctrine and Covenants 112:10–15; 121:1–10, 16–17; 122:1–9.
• Neil L. Andersen, “Trial of Your Faith,” Ensign, Nov

2. Think of a time when you felt…
Angry
Offended
Jealous
Abandoned
Hopeless
Like a failure
What did you do?
How did you act towards others?
How did things turn out?
(Remember, when emotions are high, intelligence is often low!)

3. Remember:
As we study early Church history, you may notice that most efforts by the Church – in general – were thwarted and/or failed. But through trust in the Lord and loyalty to the prophets and apostles, the Restored Church was eventually established. All the truths and keys necessary for our salvation have been restored…and they are here in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

4. Consider Joseph Smith’s experiences during 1837–1839.
Remember: as you study early Church history, you may notice that most efforts by the Church – in general – were thwarted and/or failed. But through trust in the Lord and remaining loyal to the prophets and apostles, the Restored Church was eventually established. All the truths and keys necessary for our salvation have been restored…and they are here in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
1833 – Saints driven from Jackson County, Missouri to Clay County.
1834 – Zion’s Camp travels from Kirtland to rescue the Missouri Saints.
– The Saints are driven from Clay County; Saints settle in Ray, then Caldwell, and finally in Daviess County.
January 2, 1837 – The Kirtland Safety Society starts business; by November 1837 it was closed and was scandalized by many in and out of the Church.
January 1838 – Joseph Smith and others flee Kirtland for Missouri.
October 27, 1838 – Governor Lilburn W. Boggs issues ‘extermination order’.
October 30, 1838 – Missourians attack and kill 17 Church members at Haun’s Mill.
October 31, 1838 – Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Parley Pratt, Amasa Lyman, Hyrum Smith, and George Robinson taken prisoner at Far West, Missouri and held in jails in Independence and Richmond. Other Mormon leaders are captured and held for trial.
December 1, Joseph, Hyrum, Lyman Wight, Caleb Baldwin, Sidney Rigdon, and Alexander McRae held in Liberty Jail. Sidney Rigdon released in February 1839 due to poor health.
Early April 1839 – While being transferred to Columbia, Boone County, for trial, the prisoners escape.
April 22, 1839 – The prisoners reunite with their families and the Saints in Quincy, IL.
Consider Joseph Smith’s experiences during 1837–1839.

6. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Lessons From Liberty Jail
CES Fireside, September 7, 2008
lds.org/broadcasts
speeches.byu.edu

8. Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–10

9. “I have frequently wanted to know how my apostasy began, and I have come to the conclusion that I must have lost the Spirit of the Lord out of my heart.
“The next question is, ‘How and when did you lose the Spirit?’ I became jealous of the Prophet, and then I saw double, and overlooked everything that was right, and spent all my time in looking for the evil; and the, when the Devil began to lead me, it was easy for the carnal mind to rise up, which is anger, jealousy, and wrath. I could feel it within me; I felt angry and wrathful; and the Spirit of the Lord being gone, as the Scriptures say, I was blinded,…I got mad, and I wanted everybody else to be mad.”
Thomas B. Marsh

10. “While in Kirtland, President Brigham Young encountered a group of apostates who were plotting against the Prophet Joseph Smith within the very walls of the temple. He declared, ‘I rose up, and in a plain and forcible manner told them that Joseph was a Prophet, and I knew it, and they might rail and slander him as much as they pleased, they could not destroy the appointment of the Prophet of God, they could only destroy their own authority, cut the thread that bound them to the Prophet and to God and sink themselves to hell’”.
Brigham Young

11. “I will give you a key which Brother Joseph Smith used to give in Nauvoo. He said that the very step of apostasy commenced with losing confidence in the leaders of this church and kingdom, and that whenever you discerned that spirit you might know that it would lead the possessor of it on the road to apostasy”.
Heber C. Kimball

12. What principles can we learn from these events to help us better endure opposition?
Why is it important for each of us to follow the Savior’s example at times of crisis or opposition?
What happened in northern Missouri because some of the Saints did not do this?
When have you seen another person’s words or actions influence someone else to have a positive view of the Church?

13. “By definition, trials will be trying
“By definition, trials will be trying. There may be anguish, confusion, sleepless nights, and pillows wet with tears. But our trials need not be spiritually fatal. They need not take us from our covenants or from the household of God.
“Like the intense fire that transforms iron into steel, as we remain faithful during the fiery trial of our faith, we are spiritually refined and strengthened”.
Elder Neil L. Andersen

14. What principles can we learn from these events about how to respond to opposition in our lives?
What can we learn from these events about how to respond to opposition against the Church?
What can we do to remain faithful to Church leaders even though we may hear other people criticize them?
In what ways have you been blessed because you have followed the prophet?

15. Principles
If we are humble, the Lord will lead us and give us answers to our prayers.
The Lord requires that we sustain those leaders who hold the keys to preside over the Church. 

16. Principles
If we endure opposition well in mortality, God will bless us now and in eternity.
We can be strengthened in our trials as we rely on the Savior’s Atonement and remember His example of faithful endurance.

17. “Our faith is centered in God, our Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. It is bolstered by our knowledge that the fulness of the gospel has been restored to the earth, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that prophets and apostles today hold the keys of the priesthood.”
Elder Neil L. Andersen

18. “We treasure our faith, work to strengthen our faith, pray for increased faith, and do all within our power to protect and defend our faith.?”
Elder Neil L. Andersen

19. “How do you remain “steadfast and immovable: during a trial of faith
“How do you remain “steadfast and immovable: during a trial of faith? You immerse yourself in the very things that helped build you core of faith: you exercise faith in Christ, you pray, you ponder the scriptures, you repent, you keep the commandments, and you serve others.”
Elder Neil L. Andersen

20. “You cannot destroy the appointment of the prophet of God
“You cannot destroy the appointment of the prophet of God.” The prophets are not perfect men, but their Tutors ARE!

21. Remember that God can Strengthen You!
Think about what you have done or will do to remember that God can strengthen you when you experience trials or opposition to your faith.
Remain in the Church! Keep doing the things that invite the Spirit of the Lord to be with you. Allow the Savior to comfort and bless you. He has overcome all things! Let Him help you with your difficulties and challenges.

22. Strength
amid
Opposition
It comes in no other way!

23. The Redemption of the Dead
Next week:
The Redemption of the Dead ~
Lesson 16
Student Readings:
• Doctrine and Covenants 124:30–41; 127:1–9; 128:1–18; 137:1–10; 138:28–37.
• Richard G. Scott, “The Joy of Redeeming the Dead,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov