D&C 24

After having spent some time with the Colesville saints, the preface to this section suggests the Prophet had experienced increase opposition and persecution from the people of that area. Having returned to Harmony, the Prophet receives this revelation. He doesn't really explain why, but I sense from the revelation, that the Prophet may have been somewhat discouraged and melancholy as he pondered the direction of his life. Maybe as he humbly knelt in prayer placing his burdens on the Lord, the word of the Lord came. The Lord consoles him at first saying -

"BEHOLD, thou wast called and chosen to write the Book of Mormon, and to my ministry; and I have lifted thee up out of thine afflictions, and have counseled thee, that thou hast been delivered from all thine enemies, and thou hast been delivered from the powers of Satan and from darkness!" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 24:1)

The Lord them follows with this charge -

"Magnify thine office..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 24:3)

And -

"...thou shalt continue in calling upon God in my name, and writing the things which shall be given thee by the Comforter, and expounding all scriptures unto the church." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 24:5)

And in doing so, he promises -

"...it shall be given thee in the very moment what thou shalt speak and write..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 24:6)

It becomes even more clear that the Prophet had a great work to perform as the Lord said -

"For thou shalt devote all thy service in Zion; and in this thou shalt have strength." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 24:7)

For many people, these words may not necessairly be what they would like to hear. That is to devote all there service to Zion. The Lord then becomes very specific in what this means to the Prophet -

"... in temporal labors thou shalt not have strength, for this is not thy calling." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 24:9)

And -

"Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 24:8)

These words do not sound like the type words that would be given to one seeking power, authority, or gain, but rather, words to a humble servant of the Lord willing to do whatever is asked of him.

The Lord then concludes -

"...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)

What great sacrifices the Prophet Joseph Smith made to bring forth this marvleous work.