In early Church history it is evident that certain people were raised up to perform specific tasks to accomplish and further the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. One of these men was Joseph Knight Sr., whom Joseph Smith called "Father Knight." Joseph first met Father Knight while boarding with him near the Susquehanna River in 1826. Father Knight was one of the first people to hear the prophet's story, and he believed him. Believing is a tool. When Joseph and Emma went to get the plates from Moroni on the night of September 22, 1827, they used Father Knight's carriage. A carriage is a tool.

During the translation of the Book of Mormon, ever-present economic concerns required Joseph and Oliver to stop and seek employment, but Father Knight came with food, lined paper, and money to purchase more. Food, lined paper, and money are tools. Responding to someone in need is a tool. When the Lord commanded the Saints to go to "The Ohio" (D&C 37:1-4) to be "endowed with power from on high" (D&C 38), Joseph and Emma made the arduous journey in January snows (their eighth move in four years—and Emma was six months pregnant) in Joseph Knight Sr.'s sleigh. Helping someone fulfill a calling is a tool. Being willing to do the Lord's will is a tool. Being willing to sacrifice personal comfort is a tool.

Martin Harris is remembered for mortgaging part of his farm to finance the printing of The Book of Mormon. Taking personal risk for a righteous cause is a tool. Martin was at the Grandin Press on March 26, 1830 when the first bound copy of the Book of Mormon came off the press. Being present at important times is a tool. Martin picked up that first copy and presented it to his brother Emer and signed it to him. Emer brought that first Book of Mormon with him when he came west and remained true to his testimony all of his life. A testimony is a tool. Emer labored as a carpenter and joiner in the Kirtland Temple, creating the sash for the windows and other elaborate details. He is also credited with building the winding stairway in the Nauvoo Temple. Carpentry skills are a tool. Being willing to work hard is a tool.

Eliza Roxey Snow started writing poetry at a young age. She won prizes and had at least twenty poems published before she joined the Church in 1853, when she was 31. After joining the Church she wrote poems for important occasions. Many of her poems became hymns. In our current hymnal, she wrote the text for "Again We Meet around the Board," (186); "Great is the Lord," (77); "How Great the Wisdom and the Love," (195); "In Our Lovely Deseret," (307); "O My Father," (292); "The Time Is Far Spent," (266); "Though Deepening Trials," (122); and "Truth Reflects upon Our Senses," (273). The skill to write poetry is a tool. Working hard to develop a talent is a tool.

She was the first president of the Relief Society after the Church moved west and served in that capacity for 21 years. She was commissioned by Brigham Young to organize Relief Societies throughout the Church. Being willing to travel for a righteous cause is a tool. She has been called the "captain of Utah's woman-host." Talents to lead and organize are tools.

The tools of Heber C. Kimball's trade were the anvil and hammer of a blacksmith and the wheel and kiln of a potter. He was one of the first British missionaries after Joseph heard the voice of the Spirit whisper, "Let my servant Heber go to England and proclaim my gospel." Being worthy to accept a mission call is a tool. Serving as a missionary is a tool. He was faithful to his testimony throughout his life and served for 24 years as first counselor to Brigham Young. Willingness to serve a long time is a tool. Enduring to the end is a tool.

Newel K. Whitney was a prosperous merchant. He organized and managed his store with precision. Business acumen is a tool. He taught himself to be an accountant by studying The Scholars Arithmetic, which was probably the how-to book on business finance of the times. Reading, studying, and learning are tools. He and his wife Ann joined The Disciples of Christ that claimed authority from the Bible to baptize but not to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost. Newel and Ann desired this great gift, began studying the New Testament, and prayed to know how to receive the Holy Ghost.

One night, a cloud of glory settled over them and their home and they heard a voice say, "Prepare to receive the word of the Lord, for it is coming." Spiritually preparing yourself is a tool. Desiring spiritual gifts is a tool. He and Ann provided housing for Joseph and Emma. They also gave Joseph use of two rooms above their store, one to translate in and one to use as a schoolroom for the School of the Prophets. Generosity is a tool. Seeing a need and filling it is a tool.