One Reason the Lord Allowed Afflictions to Come upon the Saints in Missouri Was Because of Their Transgressions
Doctrine and Covenants 101:2, 6
2 I, the Lord, have suffered the affliction to come upon them, wherewith they have been afflicted, in consequence of their transgressions . . .
6 Behold, I say unto you, there were jarrings, and contentions, and envyings, and strifes, and lustful and covetous desires among them; therefore by these things they polluted their inheritances.
Elder Mark E. Petersen said:
“[In the early 1830s] the Lord desired to establish the center stake of Zion at Independence, Missouri, but the attempt met with failure, which caused the Prophet of God to grieve. The Lord explained to him, saying:
“‘. . . I, the Lord, have suffered the affliction to come upon them, wherewith they have been afflicted, in consequence of their transgressions; . . .
“‘Behold, I say unto you, there were jarrings, and contentions, and envyings, and strifes, and lustful and covetous desires among them; therefore by these things they polluted their inheritances’ (D&C 101:2, 6).
“That is so much like human nature.”
(In Conference Report, Oct. 1944, 125–26.)