Ep. 380: Doctrine & Covenants 121:26-33 Soft Hearts and Open Ears
Release Date: 10/23/2025
Streaking the Scriptures
Introduction Welcome back to Streaking the Scriptures! Jeff Downs here, grateful to be studying with you—even if it’s a little later in the day than usual. It’s the eve of Thanksgiving in the United States, a moment that invites reflection, gratitude, and a deeper appreciation for the blessings and freedoms the Lord has given us. Today, we open Doctrine and Covenants section 136—a revelation given through President Brigham Young at Winter Quarters after the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. The Saints were crossing the Mississippi, driven from Nauvoo, and preparing for a westward...
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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...
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🎙️ Introduction In today’s episode of Streaking the Scriptures, Jeffery reflects on a Sabbath filled with joy, family, and spiritual depth. His daughter recently returned from serving in the Birmingham, Alabama Mission, and her homecoming message stirred heartfelt reminders of the power of discipleship. Surrounded by loved ones and lifted by rich discussions in the scriptures, Jeff transitions into a focused study of Doctrine and Covenants Section 134—a declaration on governments, laws, conscience, and the delicate balance between civil authority and divine agency. As always, this...
info_outlineStreaking the Scriptures
INTRODUCTION In this episode of Streaking the Scriptures, Jeffery Downs begins with a joyful milestone—welcoming his daughter home from the Birmingham, Alabama Mission. The warmth of that reunion sets a heartfelt backdrop for a deep and thoughtful study of Doctrine and Covenants 133. With personal reflections, scriptural connections, and honest exploration, Jeff guides listeners through powerful themes of obedience, revelation, and preparation for the Lord’s return. CHAPTERS 00:00 — A Missionary Homecoming & Tender Mercies Jeff opens the episode by sharing the joy and gratitude his...
info_outlineStreaking the Scriptures
Introduction In today’s episode of Streaking the Scriptures, Jeff takes us into Doctrine and Covenants 133—often referred to as “the appendix” to the Doctrine and Covenants. After a rare second start to his recording, he dives into themes of preparation, gathering, repentance, and revelation. Along the way, he reflects on Elder Neal A. Maxwell’s penetrating imagery of “keeping a second residence in Babylon,” considers the parable of the Ten Virgins, and pauses to explore modern prophetic counsel from President Oaks’ recent conference message. The episode becomes a thoughtful...
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Introduction In this episode of Streaking the Scriptures, Jeff shares a heartfelt reflection on a memorable primary program, the power of sacred music, and the spiritual impressions that followed. A moving moment during the song “My Sacred Grove” sets the tone for a deep dive into Doctrine & Covenants sections 132 and 133, exploring what it means to engage with the doctrine of Christ with humility, faith, and courage. Synopsis & Timecodes 00:00 – Opening & Primary Program Reflection Jeff describes teaching CTR-5 during the primary program and how the closing song, “My...
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Introduction Section 132 is both glorious and weighty. In this episode, Jeff sets the tone with humility and faith: eternal marriage is a revealed law that lifts, orders, and binds us to Christ—and some parts (especially plural marriage) raise real questions. With scripture in hand and application in view, he explores why covenants must be made and sealed by the Lord’s authority, how proxy ordinances fit the Savior’s doctrine, and what “then shall they be gods” actually points us toward—service, increase, and exaltation through Jesus Christ. Chapters 00:00 – Setting the stage:...
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Introduction As the Prophet Joseph Smith nears the end of his mortal ministry, the revelations become both intensely doctrinal and deeply personal. In this episode of Streaking the Scriptures, we move from Doctrine and Covenants section 130 into sections 131 and 132—some of the most concentrated teachings on eternal marriage, revelation, knowledge, and the sealing power in all of scripture. We start in section 131, where Joseph teaches about the three degrees within the celestial glory, the necessity of the new and everlasting covenant of marriage for exaltation, the “more sure word of...
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Summary A candid, early-morning study on sleep, uncertainty, and charity leads into Doctrine & Covenants 130 with practical application. You reflect on D&C 88’s counsel to “retire to thy bed early” and “arise early,” then explore how the “same sociality” continues beyond the veil, why devices like the Urim and Thummim symbolize ordered, revelatory learning, and how obedience and diligent, daily effort (“streaks”) expand intelligence that rises with us. The thread through it all: clothe yourself “with the bond of charity”—yes, even in traffic—and trust the...
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Summary The episode introduces the theme of time passing quickly and anchors the study in Doctrine and Covenants 129. The discussion centers on Joseph Smith’s instruction for discerning ministering beings—resurrected angels, spirits of just men made perfect, and counterfeit messengers. You connect these keys of discernment to modern challenges, especially the prevalence of deception, misinformation, and misplaced spiritual authority. You explore how true revelation aligns with stewardship, how to verify sources, and how to confirm truth through the Spirit. Drawing from 3 Nephi 11, Moroni...
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In this episode, you continue Doctrine & Covenants 121 with a focus on the Liberty Jail context and the Lord’s response to suffering. You highlight the tenderness of “My son, peace be unto thy soul,” explore “a small moment” through Isaiah 54, and connect scriptural endurance (Alma & Amulek; Job) to modern discipleship. You push back on the claim that suffering disproves God by framing agency, mortality, and resurrection hope. The episode closes with the Lord’s firm warnings against persecuting His anointed and an invitation to respond to hostility with charity, not retribution.
Chapters
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00:01 — Setting the Stage: Why D&C 121 is so studied
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02:22 — “My son”: The Lord’s tender opening and promised peace
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04:48 — “A Small Moment”: Seeing trials against the scale of eternity
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06:25 — Cross-Reference: Isaiah 54 and “great mercies will I gather thee”
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08:10 — Faith Under Load: Why God sometimes “spots” then steps back
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10:37 — Personal Story: An 8–9 hour illness and perspective
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13:01 — Alma & Amulek: “How long shall we suffer?” and enduring well
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15:25 — Endure It Well: Exaltation, friends standing by, and Job’s measure
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17:51 — The Lord’s Justice: Hopes of the wicked melt like hoarfrost
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19:30 — Brief Pause: Family moment; then back to the text
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20:37 — When Wickedness Has Its Day: Staying on the winning team
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22:17 — Debate Claim: “Suffering proves no God”—a gospel response
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24:19 — State of the Soul: Alma 40 on paradise and prison
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26:33 — Resurrection Hope: Why mortality’s pains aren’t the last word
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28:45 — Agency, Love, and Becoming: What God wants us to learn
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30:29 — Woes Pronounced: Lifting the heel against the Lord’s anointed
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30:39 — Consequences Listed: Emptied baskets, lost priesthood rights
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32:59 — God Sees: Swift judgment in His due season
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33:33 — Check Your Own Heart: Pointing fingers vs. repenting
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35:15 — Closing Exhortation: Build in love; respond, don’t react
Conclusion
D&C 121 reminds us that the Lord meets anguish with identity and peace: “My son… peace be unto thy soul.” Trials are “but a small moment” when seen through covenant eyes and resurrection hope. Justice is the Lord’s; disciples choose charity over retribution, faith over fear, and patient endurance over panic.
If today’s study moved you, turn it into lived discipleship by making it small and simple—then keeping it alive. That’s exactly what the MyStreaks app helps you do: set a laughably simple spiritual action (a daily verse, a prayer of gratitude, a moment of pure kindness), record it, and watch consistency reshape your soul over time. Open the app, start a “Scripture Today” or “Pray for Someone by Name” streak, and let the rhythm of daily devotion carry you through your own “small moments” toward great mercies. Keep going—one intentional act at a time.
Until next time, remember to have charity in traffic—and keep streaking the scriptures.