Doctrine and Covenants 47

 

How have you been directed by the Holy Ghost as you fulfill your calling?

"Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, March 8, 1831. John Whitmer, who had already served as a clerk to the Prophet, initially hesitated when he was asked to serve as the Church historian and recorder, replacing Oliver Cowdery. He wrote, “I would rather not do it but observed that the will of the Lord be done, and if he desires it, I desire that he would manifest it through Joseph the Seer.” After Joseph Smith received this revelation, John Whitmer accepted and served in his appointed office.

1–4, John Whitmer is designated to keep the history of the Church and to write for the Prophet.

1 Behold, it is expedient in me that my servant John should write and keep a regular history, and assist you, my servant Joseph, in transcribing all things which shall be given you, until he is called to further duties.

2 Again, verily I say unto you that he can also lift up his voice in meetings, whenever it shall be expedient.

3 And again, I say unto you that it shall be appointed unto him to keep the church record and history continually; for Oliver Cowdery I have appointed to another office.

4 Wherefore, it shall be given him, inasmuch as he is faithful, by the Comforter, to write these things. Even so. Amen." (Doctrine and Covenants 47)

And here's the commentary entitled: "The Holy Ghost can direct me as I fulfill my calling.": 

"Maybe you can relate to what John Whitmer felt when he wanted reassurance that his calling came from God. What did the Lord say in Doctrine and Covenants 47 to John Whitmer—and to you—to inspire confidence in fulfilling callings He gives?"

The Lord said to John Whitmer, "it shall be given him, inasmuch as he is faithful, by the Comforter, to write these things." And the Lord did say the same thing to me to inspire confidence in fulfilling callings He gives. I know that the Holy Ghost is the Comforter. And by the power of the Holy Ghost, the Lord gives me exactly what I need to be able to fulfill the callings He gives me. The Holy Ghost can indeed direct me as I fulfill my calling especially when I am more aligned with the Lord or when my thoughts, words, and actions are pleasing to the Lord. 

When I was new here in Thailand and I was called to be a teacher in primary, I found it's a challenge for me to teach children who are native English speakers while my English is not native, English is my second language. I would pray a lot for the Lord's help to know exactly what to do to teach my class. My learners would talk a lot and tend to talk about random things. One time one learner did start talking about something random while we're having a lesson and I was able to say samething about it to acknowledge that learner's participation in class and then I was able to immediately say something that brought everyone's attention back to the topic of the lesson. I didn't know how I did it. I just knew it wasn't just me who did it. I couldn't have done it by myself. The Holy Ghost did direct me at that very moment.