Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byMervin Rogers Modified over 7 years ago
1
The Field is White D&C 4, 11-12, 14-16, 18,31,33,75
2
Russia Rostov-na-Donu Mission
5
The great measure of my discipleship is…
How I treat others How I view others Kenneth L Southwick, BYU Dev, May 29, 2007
6
Task to be accomplished
Members of a group Pest, nuisance, annoyance Interruptions We want to be known as a person who treats others kindly Kenneth L Southwick, BYU Dev, May 29, 2007
7
D&C 18:10 The worth of souls is great
8
D&C 18:10 The worth of souls is great
Wherefore… you are called If souls are of value in direct proportion to the concern and sacrifice of our Redeemer, then we know that in the eyes of the Father and the Son, your soul – even yours – and mine – even mine is of infinite worth. Truman Madsen, The Arms of His Love, 248 Your Soul Infinite Worth
9
Why is the message of repentance so important?
What should we teach? D&C 11:9; 15:6; 18:6; 31:3-4; 33:10-11; 42:12; 52:8-9 Why is the message of repentance so important?
10
Wherefore… you are called
If we could truly understand the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ we would realize how precious is one son or daughter of God… We would strive to emulate the Savior and would never be unkind indifferent, disrespectful, or insensitive to others. M Russell Ballard, Ensign May 2004, 86-87
11
“Embark” in the service of God
12
D&C 4 Although this section is often used in the context of missionary work, it was given through Joseph to his father, who was not being called on a mission. It can therefore be applied to anyone who serves in the kingdom of god and not just to full-time missionaries. Commentary on the D&C, Robinson and Garrett, 43
13
D&C 4 Called to Serve Many passages of scripture, such as Ruth’s entreaty of Naomi or Psalm 23, so precisely fit their occasion and so aptly express the moment that they become classic formulations for all those who later find themselves in similar circumstances. Such an expression is section 4. This revelation for Joseph Smith Sr so simply and movingly calls him to the Lord’s work and so carefully states the virtues necessary for those who would perform His work successfully that it has become the classic and archetypical call to service in this dispensation. Commentary on D&C, Robinson and Garrett, 42
14
Joseph Fielding Smith on Section 4
“it contains sufficient counsel and instruction for a lifetime of study. No one has yet mastered it. It was not intended as a personal revelation to Joseph Smith, but to be of benefit to all who desire to embark in the service of God. It is a revelation to each member of the Church, especially to all who hold the Priesthood. Perhaps there is no other revelation in all our scriptures that embodies greater instruction pertaining to the manner of qualification of members of the Church for the service of God, and in such condensed form than this revelation. It is as broad, as high and as deep as eternity. No elder of the Church is qualified to teach in the Church, or carry the message of Salvation to the world, until he has absorbed, in part at least, this heaven-sent instruction.” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:35.)
15
Did I pack the most important things?
What do we need to pack? D&C 4 Russia Rostov-na-Donu How do we qualify to serve? What experiences have you had that show the importance of any of these attributes in serving the Lord? Did I pack the most important things?
16
It is WORK! Clayton, BYU Women’s Conf, 2008
Mary Ellen Edmunds, BYU Women’s Conf, 2008
17
If we have prepared the MTC is a review and not a revelation
18
Serve Him with all you heart, might, mind and strength
What does it mean? Russia Rostov-na-Donu Heart -emotional Might - spiritual Mind - intellectual Strength - physical Serve Him with all you heart, might, mind and strength
19
D&C 4:1-2 Serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength
Why is it important that we devote our whole souls to the Lord’s service? Why are we sometimes less than fully committed to the Lord’s service? How can we improve our commitment to serve the Lord with full devotion?
20
D&C 4 To Joseph Smith SR. “Joseph Smith, Sr., was filled with the testimony of the truth, and was always anxious to share it with others. He was almost sixty when he made the tedious journey … to carry the gospel to his father and mother, his sisters and brothers. Soon after his return [home,] he was imprisoned for a small debt of fourteen dollars, rather than deny the divinity of the Book of Mormon and be forgiven the debt. He was cast into a cell with a condemned murderer and left for four days without food. Later he was transferred to the prison workyard where he preached the gospel and converted two persons whom he later baptized. He was in prison a full month before his family was able to obtain his release” (E. Cecil McGavin, The Family of Joseph Smith [1963], 68; see also Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith, ed. Preston Nibley [1958], 172–73, 179–86).
21
How can we show the same commitment to sharing the gospel that Joseph Smith Sr. showed?
What experiences have you had when sharing the gospel with your family or neighbors? with people at school or work? with people you meet as you travel? in other circumstances?
22
What are some of the attributes the Lord desires in those who serve Him?
4:3; 11:8 Desire 4:5-6; 12:8; 18:19 Faith, hope, charity, eye single to the glory of god, humble, temperate 11:6, 20 Keep the commandments 4:7; 31:12 Prayer 11:21 First seek to obtain His word
23
2 Peter 1:5-9 D&C 4 The Divine Nature 2 Peter D&C 4 faith faith
virtue virtue knowledge knowledge temperance temperance patience patience godliness brotherly kindness brotherly kindness godliness charity charity humility diligence
24
We are all in this together
25
How might this warning apply to us? D&C 60:13; 75:3
Do not to be idle “go forth” rather than “tarry” How might this warning apply to us? Why do some of us delay sharing the gospel? “Hal, you knew. Why didn’t you tell me?” Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve related the following experience: “It’s easy to say, ‘The time isn’t right.’ But there is danger in procrastination. Years ago I worked for a man in California. He hired me; he was kind to me; he seemed to regard me highly. I may have been the only Latter-day Saint he ever knew well. I don’t know all the reasons I found to wait for a better moment to talk with him about the gospel. I just remember my feeling of sorrow when I learned, after he had retired and I lived far away, that he and his wife had been killed in a late-night drive to their home in Carmel, California. He loved his wife. He loved his children. He had loved his parents. He loved his grandchildren, and he will love their children and will want to be with them forever. “Now, I don’t know how the crowds will be handled in the world to come. But I suppose that I will meet him, that he will look into my eyes, and that I will see in them the question, ‘Hal, you knew. Why didn’t you tell me?’ ” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1998, 42; or Ensign, Nov. 1998, 33). Eyring story, Ensign Nov 1998,33
26
How should we teach? D&C 18:20-21; 38:41; 42:6, 14; 75:4; 100:7-8
Contend against no church, speak the truth in soberness 38:41 Warn in mildness and meekness 42:6, 14 Teach in the power of the Spirit, light up voices as a trump 75:4 Lift up voice as with the sound of a trump 100:7-8 Declare in God’s name and in the spirit of meekness and the Holy Ghost will bear record
27
How should we teach? D&C 18:20-21; 38:41; 42:6, 14; 75:4; 100:7-8
Why is it important to avoid contention in teaching the gospel? What does it mean to “[lift] up your voices as with the sound of a trump”? How can we be both bold and meek as we teach the gospel?
28
Fear D&C 30:5,11; 33:8-11; 60:2 He is not pleased with those who “will not open their mouths … because of the fear of man” How might this apply to us?
29
Fear 1. “I’m afraid to give a copy of the Book of Mormon to nonmembers because …” 2. “I’m afraid to share my testimony with nonmembers because …” 3. “I’m afraid to invite nonmembers to meet the missionaries because …”
30
How can we overcome fear in sharing the gospel?
19:38 Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you 33:12-14 They can not be saved without faith in the Lord, if we keep the commandments the gates of hell will not prevail against us 75:9-13 Pray that the Comforter will teach us all things, I will be with them even unto the end
31
How do we overcome our concerns about our ability to speak or teach
How do we overcome our concerns about our ability to speak or teach? D&C 11:21; 14:8; 31:3 Have you had times when the Spirit has prompted your words as you have shared the gospel.
32
Do we feel “ready to sink under the burden”?
"Heber, who would have spared no sacrifice for the restored gospel, was staggered by the weight of the call and his own weakness. 'O Lord,' he prayed, 'I am a man of stammering tongue, and altogether unfit for such a work; how can I go to preach in that land, which is so famed throughout Christendom for learning, knowledge and piety; the nursery of religion; and a people whose intelligence is proverbial!' "He later wrote, 'The idea of such a mission was almost more than I could bear up under. I was almost ready to sink under the burden which was placed upon me,' In 1837, "Kirtland was in a turmoil as apostasy raged and, not immune from the national economic crisis, the Saints' banking institution crashed. Even some of Joseph Smith's immediate friends and closest advisors were turning against him, calling him a fallen prophet. It seemed an unlikely time for Joseph to choose one of his most loyal lieutenants to leave on a mission. Yet in June while Heber C. Kimball was sitting in the Kirtland Temple, the Prophet came to him and said quietly, 'The Spirit of the Lord has whispered to me, "Let my servant Heber go to England and proclaim my Gospel, and open the door of salvation to that nation" "Heber, who would have spared no sacrifice for the restored gospel, was staggered by the weight of the call and his own weakness. 'O Lord,' he prayed, 'I am a man of stammering tongue, and altogether unfit for such a work; how can I go to preach in that land, which is so famed throughout Christendom for learning, knowledge and piety; the nursery of religion; and a people whose intelligence is proverbial!' "He later wrote, 'The idea of such a mission was almost more than I could bear up under. I was almost ready to sink under the burden which was placed upon me,' However, these considerations would not deter him: 'For the moment, I understood the will of my Heavenly Father, I felt a determination to go at all hazards, believing that He would support me by His almighty power." 2 Because Heber was willing to thrust in his sickle with all his might, a mighty harvest was realized in England which still blesses the Church today.
33
However, these considerations would not deter him: 'For the moment, I understood the will of my Heavenly Father, I felt a determination to go at all hazards, believing that He would support me by His almighty power." 2 Because Heber was willing to thrust in his sickle with all his might, a mighty harvest was realized in England which still blesses the Church today. Proctor, Maurine Jensen and Scot Facer, The Gathering, Mormon Pioneers on the Trail to Zion , pp
34
Video A Man without eloquene
35
Thousands of converts in the US and England
Samuel Smith John P Green Phineas Young Brigham Young Heber C Kimball Thousands of converts in the US and England
37
D&C 6,11,12,14 What can we learn from the repetition of these instructions? D&C 11:27 6 Oliver Cowdery 11 Hyrum Smith 12 Joseph Knight Sr 14 David Whitmer
38
D&C 11 - Object lessons What did the Lord want us to learn?
The Word = cuts both ways, it can save the repentant or punish the rebellious Thrust in the Sickle =called of God Knock = Ask of God, He answers prayer Field is white = souls ready for the kingdom Riches = Eternal life
39
D&C 14 - A Call to Action Actions Blessings Ask You shall receive
knock Opened to you Seek Bring forth and establish Zion Keep commandments, endure You shall have eternal life…which is the greatest of all the gifts of God Ask in my name, in faith, believing Receive the Holy Ghost Declare repentance Stand as a witness of the things of which you shall both hear and see
41
D&C 4:2 What does the Lord require of those who serve in His kingdom?
According to D&C 4:2, what does the Lord require of those who serve in His kingdom?
42
D&C 4:5-6; 12:8; 18:19 Which attributes are repeated most frequently?
43
What should the Lord’s servants teach?
11:9 15:6 18:6 31:3-4 33:10-11 42:12 52:8-9
44
Scripture Chain: Missionary Work
Alma 17:2–3D&C 11:21Alma 26:22D&C 12:8D&C 4:1–7D&C 18:10–16
45
Feb – June 1829 4 Joseph Smith Sr 6 Oliver Cowdery 11 Hyrum Smith 12
Although this section is often used in the context of missionary work, it was given through Joseph to his father, who was not being called on a mission. It can therefore be applied to anyone who serves in the kingdom of god and not just to full-time missionaries. Commentary on the D&C, Robinson and Garrett, 43 4 Joseph Smith Sr 6 Oliver Cowdery 11 Hyrum Smith 12 Joseph Knight Sr 14 David Whitmer 15 John Whitmer 16 Peter Whitmer Jr
46
Elder George Albert Smith “My understanding is that the most important mission that I have in this life is: first, to keep the commandments of God, as they have been taught to me; and next, to teach them to my Father’s children who do not understand them “It is not necessary for you to be called to go into the mission field in order to proclaim the truth. Begin on the man who lives next door by inspiring confidence in him, by inspiring love in him for you because of your righteousness, and your missionary work has already begun.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1916, pp )
47
D&C 4:4; 11:3; 33:3 What did the Lord mean by comparing missionary work to a field that is ready to be harvested?
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com Inc.
All rights reserved.