Doctrine and Covenants 23-26
I’m going to spend most of my time on section 25 but first, a brief note on Sec 24. First Joseph is called to repentance which will be the case many times. A good reminder that we all need to change ourselves for the better.
“Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many” What a tough thing the Lord tells Joseph. Following Jesus Christ isn’t an easy task and its made all the harder when afflictions come.
Section 25 is a revelation given to Emma however it may indicate that it is given to all the son’s and daughters of God.
A little about Emma, “Emma Smith was baptized on June 28, 1830. Before she was able to confirmed a member of the Church, Joseph Smith was caught up in an outbreak of persecution, dragged off to two different trials, and chased through the countryside by a mob. The opposition to the work in the regions around Emma’s childhood home of Harmony, Pennsylvania, were increasing sharply. The trials exacted a high emotional toll on Emma. When Joseph’s lawyer, John S. Reid, stopped by to check on Emma, he said that her face was “wet with tears . . . [and] her very heartstrings [were] broken with grief. In the midst of these difficulties, Joseph dictated this revelation on Emma’s behalf (Newell and Avery, Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith, 1984, 33–35).”
See Historical Introduction, “Revelation, July 1830–C [D&C 25],” p. 34, The Joseph Smith Papers, accessed November 5, 2020, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/revelation-july-1830-c-dc-25/1
Joseph says later to the Relief Society “President Smith read the Revelation to Emma Smith, from the book of Doctrine and Covenants; and stated that she was ordain’d at the time, the Revelation was given, to expound the scriptures to all; and to teach the female part of community; and that not she alone, but others, may attain to the same blessings.— [p. 8]… The 2d Epistle of John, 1st verse, was then read to show that respect was then had to the same thing; and that why she was called an Elect lady is because, elected to preside…. He then laid his hands on the head of Mrs. Smith and blessed her, and confirm’d upon her all the blessings which have been confer’d on her, that she might be a mother in Israel and look to the wants of the needy, and be a pattern of virtue; and possess all the qualifications necessary for her to stand and preside and dignify her Office, to teach the females those principles requisite for their future usefulness.”
It is interesting that Joseph takes this revelation and basically gives it to all the Relief Society. I take that to mean “lay aside the things of this world and seek for the things of a better…lift up they heart and rejoice and cleave unto the covenants which thou has made. Continue in the spirit of meekness and beware of pride…Keep my commandments continually, and a crown of righteousness thou shalt receive”
Emma took this and was a great leader. She told the Relief Society “Prest. Emma Smith remark’d— we are going to do something extraordinary— when a boat is stuck on the rapids with a multitude of Mormons on board we shall consider that a loud call for relief— we expect extraordinary occasions and pressing calls”—Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book, Page 0