July 04, 1830 - D&C 24 was received

[Hemidakota]

July 4, 1830— Harmony, Pennsylvania. Joseph Smith received D&C 24, a revelation relating to his and Oliver Cowdery's callings. (History of the Church, 1:101–3)

Historical Setting: After the Church was organized, the Prophet Joseph Smith visited groups of friends in Manchester, Fayette and Colesville, New York. While in Colesville, Joseph was engaged in teaching the gospel to a number of people who were anxious to be baptized. However, their interest in the Church created feelings of opposition among the sectarian priests who feared the loss of their followers. A number of people were stirred up in mob action and persecution became very intense. Joseph was arrested on trumped up charges of disorderly conduct and setting the country in an uproar by preaching the Book of Mormon. This resulted in a trial and eventual acquittal, though he experienced much harassment throughout the proceedings. After the trial, Joseph and Oliver Cowdery returned to the Prophet's home in Harmony, Pennsylvania. While there, Joseph informs us that he received the three revelations, known as sections 24, 25, and 26. (For further information see HC, Vol. 1, pp. 86-104 and CHMR, Vol. 1, p. 114)

Joseph Smith, Jun. - After our departure from Colesville, after the trial, the Church there was very anxious, as might be expected, concerning our again visiting them, during which time Sister Knight, wife of Newel Knight, had a dream which enabled her to say that we would visit them that day, which really came to pass, for a few hours afterwards we arrived; and thus was our faith much strengthened concerning dreams and visions in the last days, foretold by the ancient Prophet Joel [Joel 2:28-29]; and although we this time were forced to seek safety from our enemies by flight, we did feel confident that eventually we should come off victorious, if we only continued faithful to him who had called us forth from darkness into the marvelous light of the everlasting Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Shortly after our return home we received the following commandments: [sections 24, 25, and 26, follow.] (HC 1:101, duly 1830; Harmony, Pennsylvania.)

Background Narration:

George Q. Cannon

Accompanied by his wife and three of the Elders, he [Joseph Smith] went again to Colesville. Here they found many people awaiting baptism. Joseph prepared to accede to their demand. A suitable portion of a little stream in that locality was prepared for the purpose of the administration of the ordinance; but in the night sectarian priests, fearful of losing their congregations and their hire, instigated evil men to desecrate the spot and to destroy all the preparations of the Elders. . . . A few days later the ordinance was administered by Oliver Cowdery to thirteen persons at Colesville. . .

While the baptisms were in progress an angry mob collected, and threatened destruction to the Elders and believers. The mob surrounded the house of Joseph Knight and his son Newel and railed with devilish hatred at the inmates. The Prophet spoke to them and made an effort to calm their passions, but without avail. Wearied with their own impotent wrath, the mobs departed; but only to concoct new plots.

That night a meeting was to be held, and when the believers and sympathizers had assembled, and Joseph was about to offer them instruction and consolation, a constable approached and arrested him on a warrant charging him with being a disorderly person, for setting the country in an uproar by circulating the Book of Mormon and by preaching a gospel of revelation. . . .

A court was convened to consider the strange charges brought against the young man, Joseph Smith; and hateful lies, of every form which the father of falsehood could devise, were circulated to create popular dislike. . . . The bitter feeling of endangered priestcraft was visible throughout the trial; but all the accusations which were made were but lies, and none were sustained. The court declared an acquittal. The evidence in the trial was a high tribute to the character of Joseph Smith. . . .

This paper [a warrant] was secured on the oath of a sectarian bigot; and no sooner was Joseph acquitted by the court in Chenango County than he was seized under the new warrant and dragged back to Colesville. . . .

When the morning came, Joseph was arraigned before the magistrate's court of Colesville. Arrayed against him were some of the people who had been discomfited at the trial in Chanago County. This time they were determined to secure a conviction. By the side of the Prophet were his friends and advocates who had aided him in the former trial. Despite the vindictive effort of the mob, the court discharged the Prophet, declaring that nothing was shown to his dishonor. (Life of Joseph Smith, 1907, pp. 64-67.)

Section Header Notes: Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, July 1830. Though less than four months had elapsed since the Church was organized, persecution had become intense, and the leaders had to seek safety in partial seclusion. See History of the Church, vol. 1, p. 101.—The Lord combines encouragement with reproof—Gives individual commandments to Joseph and Oliver respectively.

Versus amount: 19

Suggested link: D&C 25, D&C 26

Summary and Conclusion: As unto Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, so also to us has the Lord given instructions to magnify our callings.

We, as members of the Church, have opportunity to receive many callings from time to time: home teacher, class advisor, parent, priesthood leader, etc. Many illustrations could be given as to how one might magnify his calling in these various opportunities. For instance, a home teacher trying to assist in strengthening an assigned family might not be able to accomplish the desired results through his efforts alone. However, he might reach out and tap some of the available resources in the ward and thereby gain access to the combined strength and powers that are available to him. Quorum involvement, youth peers, activity programs, class instruction, special program, etc. might all serve as component parts of a combined program that will focus on the needs of the concerned family. By reaching out and focusing all of these resources, the home teacher is doing all he can to magnify his calling concerning his assigned family. Then, as he seeks the Lord's help, he does so with the conviction he is doing what he can and is entitled to the Lord's assistance. (Sacred Truths of the Doctrine and Covenants , vol. 1 by L. G. Otten, C. M. Caldwell):