"The saints suffered extreme hardship and suffering at the hands of mobocrats in Jackson County, Missouri," wrote Leaun G. Otten and C. Max Caldwell in Volume 2 of Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants. "In [Section 101T, the Lord revealed two reasons why afflictions come upon His people:
"1. Transgression. Disobedience is the father of discomfort. The Lord had made it clear when the land of Zion was first revealed to the saints that obedience was a fundamental requirement for the establishment of Zion. (See D&C 58:6.) Yet, they had not been obedient. They were covetous, contentious, and had set aside the counsel of the Lord. (See related article on this page.) In summation, their disobedience brought about their afflictions. (See D&C 101:2, 6-8.)"2. Trial of faith. From the beginning of time, the Lord has allowed His people to suffer affliction as a means of refining and perfecting them. . . ."
