Joseph Smith Found His Voice

Joseph Smith became a marvelous spokesman to the saints in Nauvoo. It was about this time that Joseph to become what you and I would consider to be a prophet: A man who gives inspired counsel and words, through guidance from God. Whenever a prophet speaks he is doing so in behalf of God. His words are the message that God would have His people hear. As with Moses, whatever he said under the gift and power of God was the word of God. Same with Joseph and all the prophets since.
As Joseph began to teach and instruct the saints in Nauvoo with more energy and ability, the people began to learn from him on a larger scale than ever before. The saints recognized the deep knowledge that his teachings contained and began to record what he spoke. It is for this reason that we have some of his words recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants. What he taught was the mind of the Lord, and it was the will of the Lord. When he spoke it, he revealed truths that had not been answers to previous questions that were written as were most of the other sections. Those answered important questions of salvation, church organization, missionary work, and other important matters. Now that most of those questions were answered, we gained special glimpses of some deeper learning that God wants to give to us. Joseph saw so much more than we see. I personally am glad that people wrote down what we have.
For that matter, what if we had more records of Joseph’s sermons recorded from the Kirtland days, or the Harmony days? I feel that we would have more sermon-scriptures in our standard works. I’m certain that so much was lost of what we could have learned from the prophet if we had those records. The difference, though, is that Joseph really found his voice after his trial at Liberty. Most of the sermon-revelations came from 1839-1844 because of his increased ability to share his convictions.
A combination of the two reasons (really finding his voice, and the saints learning how important records are) is why we have more sermons recorded as scripture. General conference is recorded too because of the treasures they are, and I’m glad that we as a people have learned how great it is to see the prophet’s words constantly before our eyes that we may learn. I know that this is the church of God on the earth again.