Persecution has been the common lot of prophets and righteous peoples of all ages. Paul described a prophet's lot as one of mockings, scourgings, bonds, and imprisonments. Of the Old Testament prophets he said, “They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; ... they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” (Hebrews 11:36-38.)
To the Apostles of the Old World the Savior said: “[They] shall ... deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you; and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake” (Matthew 24:9). To the Nephite people the prophet Samuel declared, “If a prophet come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with him, and cast him out and seek all manner of ways to destroy him; yea, you will say that he is a false prophet, and that he is a sinner, and of the devil, because he testifieth that your deeds are evil” (Helaman 13:26).