Doctrine and Covenants 24

Jesus Christ

Behold, thou wast called and chosen to write the Book of Mormon, and to my ministry; and I have lifted thee up out of thine afflictions, and have counseled thee, that thou hast been delivered from all thine enemies, and thou hast been delivered from the powers of Satan and from darkness! Doctrine and Covenants 24:1

The Lord Jesus Christ speaks directly to Joseph, calling the work of the Restoration 'my ministry' and reminding him that He is the One who delivered him from his afflictions and from Satan.

• the same title in D&C 27:1 — A revelation of the same season names the speaker: 'the voice of Jesus Christ, your Lord.'

Praying in His name

And thou shalt continue in calling upon God in my name, and writing the things which shall be given thee by the Comforter, and expounding all scriptures unto the church. Doctrine and Covenants 24:5

Christ tells Joseph to pray to God in His name, the pattern He taught His disciples. Our prayers reach the Father through the Son.

• alludes to 3 Nephi 18:19-20 — The risen Christ: pray unto the Father in my name.

Jesus Christ

Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days. Doctrine and Covenants 24:8

The Savior promises Joseph His constant companionship in affliction, echoing the promise He gave His apostles.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Matthew 28:20 — 'Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.'

Bearing His name

And thy brother Oliver shall continue in bearing my name before the world, and also to the church. And he shall not suppose that he can say enough in my cause; and lo, I am with him to the end. Doctrine and Covenants 24:10–11

Oliver's calling is to carry Christ's name to the world, and any glory he has comes from being in Christ, not from himself.

• alludes to Acts 9:15 — Paul was a chosen vessel 'to bear my name before the Gentiles.'

His ministry continued through disciples

Require not miracles, except I shall command you, except casting out devils, healing the sick, and against poisonous serpents, and against deadly poisons; Doctrine and Covenants 24:13–14

The signs the Lord allows here are the same signs He promised would follow His disciples, so His ministry continues through His servants.

• alludes to Mark 16:17-18 — Signs that follow believers: casting out devils, serpents, deadly things, healing the sick.

His ministry continued through disciples

And in whatsoever place ye shall enter, and they receive you not in my name, ye shall leave a cursing instead of a blessing, by casting off the dust of your feet against them as a testimony, and cleansing your feet by the wayside. Doctrine and Covenants 24:15

Christ renews for latter-day missionaries the instruction He gave the Twelve about those who reject His messengers.

• alludes to Matthew 10:14 — Shake off the dust of your feet.

His ministry continued through disciples

And thou shalt take no purse nor scrip, neither staves, neither two coats, for the church shall give unto thee in the very hour what thou needest for food and for raiment, and for shoes and for money, and for scrip. Doctrine and Covenants 24:18

The Lord sends Joseph out the way He sent His first disciples, trusting Him and the Saints for daily needs.

• alludes to Luke 10:4 — Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes.
• alludes to Matthew 10:9-10 — Neither two coats, neither staves.

Lord of the Vineyard

For thou art called to prune my vineyard with a mighty pruning, yea, even for the last time; yea, and also all those whom thou hast ordained, and they shall do even according to this pattern. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 24:19

Christ calls the vineyard His own and calls Joseph to the final pruning, the same last-time labor the Lord of the vineyard does with His servants in Zenos's allegory.

• alludes to Jacob 5:62 — 'Let us go to and labor with our might this last time.'
• alludes to Jacob 5:71 — Servants labor with the Lord of the vineyard for the last time.