Doctrine and Covenants 1: 27-33

 

How are you able to do God's work which He intended for you to do?

"27 I continued to pursue my common vocations in life until the twenty-first of September, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-three, all the time suffering severe persecution at the hands of all classes of men, both religious and irreligious, because I continued to affirm that I had seen a vision.

28 During the space of time which intervened between the time I had the vision and the year eighteen hundred and twenty-three—having been forbidden to join any of the religious sects of the day, and being of very tender years, and persecuted by those who ought to have been my friends and to have treated me kindly, and if they supposed me to be deluded to have endeavored in a proper and affectionate manner to have reclaimed me—I was left to all kinds of temptations; and, mingling with all kinds of society, I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, I am sorry to say, led me into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God. In making this confession, no one need suppose me guilty of any great or malignant sins. A disposition to commit such was never in my nature. But I was guilty of levity, and sometimes associated with jovial company, etc., not consistent with that character which ought to be maintained by one who was called of God as I had been. But this will not seem very strange to any one who recollects my youth, and is acquainted with my native cheery temperament.

29 In consequence of these things, I often felt condemned for my weakness and imperfections; when, on the evening of the above-mentioned twenty-first of September, after I had retired to my bed for the night, I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before him; for I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I previously had one.

30 While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor.

31 He had on a loose robe of most exquisite whiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen; nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear so exceedingly white and brilliant. His hands were naked, and his arms also, a little above the wrist; so, also, were his feet naked, as were his legs, a little above the ankles. His head and neck were also bare. I could discover that he had no other clothing on but this robe, as it was open, so that I could see into his bosom.

32 Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning. The room was exceedingly light, but not so very bright as immediately around his person. When I first looked upon him, I was afraid; but the fear soon left me.

33 He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people." (Doctrine and Covenants 1: 27-33)

And here's the beginning part of the commentary entitled: "God has a work for me to do." : 

"It’s one thing to believe that God had a work for Joseph Smith to do—we can look back on his life and clearly see what he accomplished. But have you ever considered that God has a work for you too? As you read Joseph Smith—History 1:27–33, think about what that work might be. How does it contribute to the ongoing Restoration of the Savior’s gospel?"

God does have work for me to do just as He had work for Joseph Smith to do. It's a great privilege and honor for me to be an instrument in God's hands as I contribute to the ongoing Restoration of the Savior's gospel. As I strive to make choices to align myself more with the Lord's will, the Lord's grace is enabling me to do what I can despite the challenges I'm facing. The Lord has been turning my weaknesses into strength as I turn to Him. And as I learn and grow to become the kind of person that He wants me to be, line upon line precept upon precept, my capacity to do His work has been increasing. I am indeed heading towards reaching my full potential. The more I am able to stay focused, the more I am able to accomplish. The more I am able to accomplish, the more joy I feel. So I am choosing to focus and even laser focus more than ever before. I'm so grateful that I've been given the opportunity to continue my earthly existence as the Lord has been supporting me from one moment to another so I've been able to repent and transform. I choose to do all I can to make the most of this time the Lord is giving me moment by moment to do the work that He has for me to do.