Doctrine and Covenants 4:2

The Lord has told us about the kind of service He expects from us.

2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

O ye

Although this revelation was given to Joseph Smith Sr., the counsel applies to everyone who enters into God’s service. Joseph Smith said, “When you joined this Church you enlisted to serve God” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 324). So this scripture applies to all members of the Church.

Embark

Embark—to begin or start. The origin of this word means to get on a ship and set sail. This involves a certain amount of commitment, because once you’re at sea you can’t just get off and go back. You also must rely on the wind to help you. What does the use of this word teach you about committing to serve God? How does His power, like the wind, help you once you’ve embarked?

Service of God

“In the Lord’s service the path is not always easy. It often requires sacrifices, and we will likely experience adversity. But in serving Him, we discover that His hand is truly over us. … The Lord expects us to be as faithful, as devoted, as courageous as those who went before us. They were called to give their lives for the gospel. We are called to live our lives for the same purpose.”

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Preparations for the Restoration and the Second Coming: ‘My Hand Shall Be over Thee,’” Ensign, Nov. 2005, 91.

Might, mind and strength

This phrase appears several times in the scriptures. Read these scriptures to learn what else we are commanded to do with all our might, mind, and strength.

Read these verses to find out what additional blessings we can receive for following these directions.

Stand blameless before god

“We will all stand before [the Lord], in person. …

“As we do what He would have us do for His Father’s children, the Lord considers it kindness to Him, and we will feel closer to Him as we feel His love and His approval. In time we will become like Him and will think of the Judgment Day with happy anticipation. …

“If we serve with faith, humility, and a desire to do God’s will, I testify that the judgment bar of the great Jehovah will be pleasing. We will see our loving Father and His Son as They see us now—with perfect clarity and with perfect love.”

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, “Where Is the Pavilion?” Ensign, Nov. 2012, 74–75.

Last day

Last day—The Judgment Day, when all will be “judged according to their works” (Alma 11:44), including whether and how they served God.