“Line upon Line: D&C 4,” New Era, Mar. 2007, 5
Missionary Preparation
Line upon Line:
D&C 4
In February 1829, Joseph Smith’s father came to visit the Prophet as he worked on his small farm in Harmony, Pennsylvania. At that time, section 4 was revealed to the Prophet for his father, but this revelation is for all who desire to serve the Lord.
Marvelous—astonishing; miraculous; of the highest quality
In the scriptures, the Lord asks us to do only one other thing with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. Read D&C 59:5 to find out what it is, and then read Mosiah 2:17 to see what it has to do with missionary service.
Learn more about callings and the desire to serve God in these New Era articles at www.lds.org:
-
“Why Should I Go?” by Russell Tolley Giles, May 2003, 8.
-
“Called of God,” by Elder Robert S. Wood, Nov. 2005, 28.
Wheat looks a lot like grass when it first sprouts. Near harvest time, the green wheat turns golden or white. It is important to watch the wheat to make sure it is ripe, but it can’t be left there too long or it might be ruined by a windstorm, hail, or other elements.
“Combined with the Spirit of the Lord, the Book of Mormon is the greatest single tool which God has given us to convert the world. If we are to have the harvest of souls that [the President of the Church] envisions, then we must use the instrument which God has designed for that task—the Book of Mormon.”
President Ezra Taft Benson, “A New Witness for Christ,” Ensign, Nov. 1984, 7.
A sickle is used to harvest wheat by hand. If it is not razor sharp, it won’t do a very good job. How do you plan on becoming sharp and staying sharp as a missionary?
Spend 10 days looking up in the scriptures each of the 10 qualities listed in verse 6. Write in your journal how each of these qualities, along with those listed in verse 5, will help qualify you for the work of the Lord and how you will try to develop those qualities in your life.
Editors’ note: This page is not meant to be a comprehensive explanation of the selected scripture verse, only a starting point for your own study.