Your William McLellin Moment — D&C 98-101

Come, Follow Me: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
(September 8–14)

A depressed forlorn looking man, sitting on the ground, against a tree, alone in a forest. Elbow resting on his knee and his head resting in his hand, clearly contemplating his life circunstances.

3 Thoughts from Me

  • In the 1830’s the Saints moved to Independence, Missouri believing it was the promised land. It would be the city of God on earth and all would be well. Instead, the Saints were mobbed, injured, their homes and fields destroyed, and forced to leave the city, abandoning their hopes and dreams of a Zion. How did they do it? How did they stay faithful and endure to the end? 

  • William McLellin fled his home and hid in the woods from the mobs who sought him for a reward. Racked with doubts, he asked himself whether he could stand by his testimony of the Book of Mormon and could he lay down his life for the restored gospel. While agonizing over these questions, he met David Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery. “Tell me, in the fear of God,” he demanded, “is that Book of Mormon true?” Oliver looked at William. “God sent His holy angel to declare the truth of the translation of it to us, and therefore we know,” he said. “And though the mob kill us, yet we must die declaring its truth” (Though the Mob Kill Us, Saints, Volume 1). David Whitmer then confirmed this truth and William agreed.  

  • Most of us will not be driven from our homes or killed as martyrs, but we have modern-day mobs that are covertly and overtly pressuring us to leave Zion. We, too, will have William McLellin moments where we ask ourselves, “Am I willing to stand by my testimony of the Book of Mormon and lay down my life (let God Prevail) for the restored gospel?” What will be your answer?

2 Thoughts from Others

  • “The Lord is gathering those who are willing to let God prevail in their lives. The Lord is gathering those who will choose to let God be the most important influence in their lives.”   –President Russell M. Nelson

  • “Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life? Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day? Will you allow His voice to take priority over any other? Are you willing to let whatever He needs you to do take precedence over every other ambition? Are you willing to have your will swallowed up in His?”–President Russell M. Nelson

1 Question for You

  • What helps you stay committed to God and the gospel in moments of uncertainty? 

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