Doctrine and Covenants 11: 15-26

How are you able to serve with power as you obtain God's word?

"15 Behold, I command you that you need not suppose that you are called to preach until you are called.

16 Wait a little longer, until you shall have my word, my rock, my church, and my gospel, that you may know of a surety my doctrine.

17 And then, behold, according to your desires, yea, even according to your faith shall it be done unto you.

18 Keep my commandments; hold your peace; appeal unto my Spirit;

19 Yea, cleave unto me with all your heart, that you may assist in bringing to light those things of which has been spoken—yea, the translation of my work; be patient until you shall accomplish it.

20 Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength.

21 Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men.

22 But now hold your peace; study my word which hath gone forth among the children of men, and also study my word which shall come forth among the children of men, or that which is now translating, yea, until you have obtained all which I shall grant unto the children of men in this generation, and then shall all things be added thereto.

23 Behold thou art Hyrum, my son; seek the kingdom of God, and all things shall be added according to that which is just.

24 Build upon my rock, which is my gospel;

25 Deny not the spirit of revelation, nor the spirit of prophecy, for wo unto him that denieth these things;

26 Therefore, treasure up in your heart until the time which is in my wisdom that you shall go forth." (Doctrine and Covenants 11: 15-26)

And here's the commentary entitled: "As I seek to “obtain [God’s] word,” I will receive His Spirit and power." :

"Even before the Book of Mormon had been translated, Hyrum Smith was anxious to assist in the work of the Restoration. As you read the Lord’s response to his desires, consider what it means to you to “obtain [God’s] word” (verse 21). How does obtaining God’s word help you serve Him with power?"

To obtain God's word means searching and studying God's word consistently to learn God's will for His children. As I obtain God's word I'll be able to serve Him with power because I know exactly what His will is and will be able to communicate it more clearly to others through the guidance of His Spirit. You can only give what you have, not what you don't have. When I have God's word because I'm doing my part to obtain it, then I become more effective as His instrument in serving His children.