D&C 21 - 26

In speaking of the prophet, the Lord said "...the church... shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;
5 For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith."
(Doctrine and Covenants Section 21:4 - 5)

We should take special heed to this instruction in that general conference is next Saturday and Sunday and the Young Women conference is tonight.

As mentioned in previous blogs, the mind and will of the Lord for members of the Church is to open our mouths and strengthen the Church. To Oliver Cowdery - "Make known thy calling unto the church, and also before the world, and thy heart shall be opened to preach the truth from henceforth and forever."(Doctrine and Covenants Section 23:2). But he is also warned to "beware of pride"

To Hyrum Smith - "...thy heart is opened, and thy tongue loosed; and thy calling is to exhortation, and to strengthen the church continually. Wherefore thy duty is unto the church forever..."(Doctrine and Covenants Section 23:3)

To Samuel Smith - ...thy calling is to exhortation, and to strengthen the church...";
(Doctrine and Covenants Section 23:4)

To Joseph Smith Sr. - "...thy calling also is to exhortation, and to strengthen the church; and this is thy duty from henceforth and forever."(Doctrine and Covenants Section 23:5)

To Emma Smith - "...expound scriptures, and to exhort the church, according as it shall be given thee by my Spirit." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 25:7)

To Joseph Knight - "...give your language to exhortation continually." But he is given a charge that all members of the Church have been given many times - "..you must take up your cross, in the which you must pray vocally before the world as well as in secret, and in your family, and among your friends, and in all places." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 23:6 - 7)

To the Prophet Joseph Smith - "Attend to thy calling and thou shalt have wherewith to magnify thine office, and to expound all scriptures, and continue in laying on of the hands and confirming the churches."(Doctrine and Covenants Section 24:9) He is also told "in temporal labors thou shalt not have strength, for this is not thy calling. Attend to thy calling and thou shalt have wherewith to magnify thine office, and to expound all scriptures, and continue in laying on of the hands and confirming the churches." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 24:9)

But even with that charge the Lord still recognizes his children's temporal needs and responsibilities as he said to Joseph "Magnify thine office; and after thou hast sowed thy fields and secured them, go speedily unto the church which is in Colesville, Fayette, and Manchester, and they shall support thee; and I will bless them both spiritually and temporally;"(Doctrine and Covenants Section 24:3)

As we strive to love and serve the Lord with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, we must also remember that he understands we have temporal responsibilities which is also part of his eternal plan.