Doctrine and Covenants 71

 

What blessings have you noticed as you’ve followed the Spirit’s prompting to testify of Jesus Christ?

"Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Hiram, Ohio, December 1, 1831. The Prophet had continued to translate the Bible with Sidney Rigdon as his scribe until this revelation was received, at which time it was temporarily laid aside so as to enable them to fulfill the instruction given herein. The brethren were to go forth to preach in order to allay the unfriendly feelings that had developed against the Church as a result of the publication of letters written by Ezra Booth, who had apostatized.

1–4, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon are sent forth to proclaim the gospel; 5–11, Enemies of the Saints will be confounded.

1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, that the time has verily come that it is necessary and expedient in me that you should open your mouths in proclaiming my gospel, the things of the kingdom, expounding the mysteries thereof out of the scriptures, according to that portion of Spirit and power which shall be given unto you, even as I will.

2 Verily I say unto you, proclaim unto the world in the regions round about, and in the church also, for the space of a season, even until it shall be made known unto you.

3 Verily this is a mission for a season, which I give unto you.

4 Wherefore, labor ye in my vineyard. Call upon the inhabitants of the earth, and bear record, and prepare the way for the commandments and revelations which are to come.

5 Now, behold this is wisdom; whoso readeth, let him understand and receive also;

6 For unto him that receiveth it shall be given more abundantly, even power.

7 Wherefore, confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you both in public and in private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful their shame shall be made manifest.

8 Wherefore, let them bring forth their strong reasons against the Lord.

9 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you—there is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper;

10 And if any man lift his voice against you he shall be confounded in mine own due time.

11 Wherefore, keep my commandments; they are true and faithful. Even so. Amen." (Doctrine and Covenants 71)

And here's the beginning part of the commentary entitled: "The Spirit will guide me as I proclaim the Savior’s gospel." :

"It can be troubling when people criticize or ridicule your faith in the Savior, His gospel, or His Church. When that happens, what do you do? Something similar happened in Ohio in 1831 (see the section heading to Doctrine and Covenants 71). What did the Lord tell Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to do about it in Doctrine and Covenants 71? Maybe you could list instructions the Lord gave them and blessings He promised."

When I was you I would get irritated when I hear people criticize or ridicule my faith in the Savior, His gospel, or His Church. I would get really upset at times and it would affect my relationship with others. When I became a full-time missionary and went to the MTC, I realized I didn't have to get irritated or upset at all. Those people...don't know what they don't know and so they're acting only on what they know about the Savior, His gospel, or His Church. 

Here are the instructions the Lord gave Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon and the blessings He promised: 

•  Labor ye in my vineyard. Call upon the inhabitants of the earth, and bear record, and prepare the way for the commandments and revelations which are to come.
• Whoso readeth, let him understand and receive also; For unto him that receiveth it shall be given more abundantly, even power.
• Confound your enemies; call upon them to meet you both in public and in private; and inasmuch as ye are faithful their shame shall be made manifest.
• There is no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; And if any man lift his voice against you he shall be confounded in mine own due time.