During the throes of persecution and adversity, the Prophet Joseph Smith not infrequently consoled his companions with good cheer by saying that his mission was not yet complete and that the Lord would protect and preserve him until that day. When Alma and Amulek were forced to witness the fiery martyrdom of the faithful Saints in Ammonihah at the hands of the incorrigible priests of Nehor, a similar scene of concern and consolation transpired: “Now Amulek said unto Alma: Behold, perhaps they will burn us also. And Alma said: Be it according to the will of the Lord. But, behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not” (Alma 14:12–13). And thus these two prophets of God were preserved miraculously to continue with their labors until their mission upon the earth was done.
That same kind of calm, dignified reassurance that God’s work would move forward unimpeded was evidenced by the Prophet Joseph Smith while attending to some business in Montrose, Iowa, across the river from Nauvoo, on Saturday, August 6, 1842. On that occasion, he was engaging in relaxing conversation with some of his colleagues as they were drinking ice water in the shade of a school house. His tumbler in hand, the Prophet gave voice to visionary inspiration: “I prophesied that the Saints would continue to suffer much affliction and would be driven to the Rocky Mountains, many would apostatize, others would be put to death by our persecutors or lose their lives in consequence of exposure or disease, and some of you will live to go and assist in making settlements and build cities and see the Saints become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains” (HC 5:85). A participant, Anson Call, recalled: “It is impossible to represent in words this scene which is still vivid in my mind, of the grandeur of Joseph’s appearance, his beautiful description of this land, and his wonderful prophetic utterances as they emanated from the glorious inspirations that overshadowed him” (86). The Prophet gave voice to an inspired view of how God’s people would continue the work of the Restoration and extend the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant to the world—in spite of all persecution and reversal, all challenges and adversity. The Lord had already revealed to Joseph in reassuring words given in Liberty Jail that he would be preserved until the completion of his earthy mission. “Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever” (D&C 122:9). Similarly, each one of us, through our prayers of faith and hope, can experience the calming peace of the Spirit in the assurance that our earthly sojourn will continue under the protection of the Almighty until our foreordained mission on earth is complete. (Richard J. Allen)