The Field is White, Already to Harvest
Doctrine and Covenants 4, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 31, 33, 75,
If you remember, there was much confusion on the subject of religion in Joseph’s youth. This was not just limited to his local area but, extended throughout the country. Those who were students of the Bible found discrepancies between what they read and what was being preached. When Joseph received revelation from God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ that the true church was not found on the earth, but would be established , it not only changed Joseph’s life but, all those who had been seeking answers just as diligently as Joseph had.
Think of the excitement that must have taken a hold of the many who had been searching and seeking for Christ’s original church and teachings when news came to them that the church, indeed would return and that the fullness of the gospel was now to be had in a book of gold that was being translated by a man called of God to be a prophet to His people.
People wanted to know what it was that they could do to further the work. They all wanted a hand in what they had waited so long to receive. It was these desires that led so many to approach Joseph and inquire: “ What would the Lord have me do?”
The chapters we will discuss today are revelations that came to the prophet Joseph in response to these inquiries.
The first to inquire was Father Smith ( Joseph Smith Sr.)
After Martin Harris had lost the 116 pages of translation, Joseph returned to his home in Harmony, PA. His mother said, “ We parted with heavy hearts, for it seemed as though all our fond anticipations, that which we had fed upon and which had been the source of so much secret gratification to us, had in a moment fled, and fled forever.”
“We never heard from our unfortunate son until two months after, when, being uneasy as to the consequences of his distress of mind, Mr. Smith and myself went down to Harmony to make him a visit.”
After receiving the news that the Lord had restored the ancient record and the gift of translation to his son, Joseph Smith Sr. asked his son to inquire in his behalf relative to his duty. This revelation is the result of that inquiry. Revelations of the Restoration, p. 66.
Joseph Fielding Smith
This revelation is very short, only seven verses, but it contains sufficient counsel and instruction for a lifetime 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. Joseph Fielding Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:35.
If this revelation truly is for all of us, and I testify that it is, then each of us must read it as if we were the one asking Joseph to inquire of the Lord what He would have us do. Although this section of the Doctrine and Covenants is heavily used in the mission field, it was not intended for missionaries alone. Joseph Sr.’s calling in the church would be a patriarch.
Doctrine &Covenants 4:1
1 Now behold, a amarvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.
What is the marvelous work that the Lord refers to ?
It is in effect the entire gospel coming forth in this dispensation. It is the Book of Mormon, the restoration of the priesthood, the organization of the true church, it is missionary work., it is establishing Zion and the millennial kingdom. It even goes beyond the scope of the gospel to include the outpouring of all truth and knowledge in this dispensation, including technology, art, science and all things that further the work of the Lord in the latter days.
Think of the amazing changes that have occurred since the first vision that have aided in the spreading of the gospel, and the gathering of the saints: locomotives, cars, airplanes, radio, television, computers,
Brothers and sisters..this marvelous work of the gospel is STILL HAPPENING and WE can be a part of it!
D&C4:2-3
2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the aservice of God, see that ye bserve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand cblameless before God at the last day.
3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are acalled to the work;
Want to be a part of it? Then, you are called to the work. The responsibility is placed on the one with the DESIRE. Desire leads to opportunity. However, this is serious business. If you truly have the desire, you better be willing to give it your ALL.. your heart, might, mind and strength. It requires total devotion to one master, and one master alone.. the Lord Jesus Christ.
To be clear, the right to act in the name of the Lord, in a specific calling ( i.e. Primary President, Elders Quorum secretary, YW advisor) must come through prophecy and by the laying on of hands. However, ALL those with the desire can be a part of the great work of establishing Zion and the gathering of Israel.
D&C4:4
4 For behold the afield is white already to bharvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in cstore that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;
The Lord not only uses the phrase “field is white already to harvest” to Joseph Sr. but also to Hyrum, in section 11; Ezra Thayre and Northrop Sweet in section 33; Oliver Cowderey in section 6; Joseph Knight in section 12: and David Whitmer in section 14.
Wheat is green as it grows but loses its color as it matures. Therefore, the paler the stalk, the closer the wheat is to harvest. The field isn’t ALL READY ( meaning about to begin) but already ( meaning now in progress) to harvest.
The Lord has made ready the souls of men to receive the gospel.. it is now happening. If you preach of the gospel, share the gospel and otherwise bring those men to the knowledge of the true and everlasting gospel, eternal blessings will be yours.
D&C 4:5-7
5 And afaith, bhope, ccharity and dlove, with an eeye single to the fglory of God, gqualify him for the work.
6 Remember faith, avirtue, knowledge, btemperance, cpatience, dbrotherly ekindness, fgodliness, charity, ghumility, hdiligence.
7 aAsk, and ye shall receive; bknock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.
Again, do you have a desire? then come in! be a part of the work and by faith, hope, charily and love I will qualify you for the work. But do not forget faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance.. etc.. YOU must also qualify yourself.. By doing so, you gain a testimony of this great and marvelous work. The testimony MUST precede teaching.
The Lord declared to Hyrum, who was so anxious to spread the good news of the gospel, that he was distributing portions of the Book of Mormon as it was being printed:
D&C 11:21
21 Seek not to adeclare my word, but first seek to bobtain my cword, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my dSpirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the econvincing of men.
Elder Don R. Clarke- March 2009 Ensign
Member missionaries can find strength in studying Preach My Gospel and by reading the experiences of early missionaries of the restored Church, such as Samuel Smith and Wilford Woodruff( might I also add Parley P. Pratt) We can also study and emulate the great missionaries from the Book of Mormon: Alma, Ammon, and the sons of Mosiah, to name just a few. These great missionaries studied the scriptures, prayed for success, and then went to work.
If we want to be successful member missionaries, we must do the same. Let us pray not only for our full-time missionaries but also that we will be missionaries. As we study, pray, and put into practice what we learn and feel, we will have success.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland speaks of the difficulties we sometimes face in our attempts to share the gospel
“I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience,” Salvation never was easy. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him?”
As we look out at the "field" we sometimes think that the task is so large that we do not believe we can make a difference. We are often discouraged and might give up the task because it seems so difficult or great. We should not and cannot make that mistake. We do not know what impact our efforts, our testimonies, and our examples have on those around us.
“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).
About 3 months later, just weeks after the Aaronic Priesthood had been restored, Joseph’s brother Samuel came to visit. Oliver and Joseph were so excited about the portion of the plates that they had translated as well as receiving the priesthood, and laboured to persuade him concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ. Samuel, however was not easily persuaded. After much inquiry, he went into the nearby woods and prayed to know the truth. By revelation, gained a testimony of the truthfulness of Joseph and Oliver’s teachings of the gospel. Oliver baptized Samuel and Samuel, 1 year later became officially the first missionary of the church.
At the first conference of the Church, in June 1830, the Prophet's brother Samuel was ordained an elder. Shortly thereafter, the Prophet set Samuel apart as a missionary to take the Book of Mormon to the people in the vicinity of Palmyra.
On June 30th, Samuel started down the road with a knapsack filled with copies of the Book of Mormon. On that first day Samuel walked 25 miles without a favorable contact. After a tiring and discouraging day, Samuel stopped at a wayside tavern. He told the tavern keeper about the Book of Mormon and how it came to be. The man, in a rage, said, "Get out! You shan't stay one minute with your books."
On another day, in Bloomfield, New York, Samuel left a Book of Mormon with John P. Green, a circuit preacher. Green was not interested, but said he would sell the book to anyone that was. When Samuel returned to Bloomfield, no one had purchased the book, but Mrs. Green had read it and believed it. Samuel was inspired to leave it with her. Later Greene read it and also believed it.
Mrs. Green loaned this book to her brother who read it. Her brother was Brigham Young.
On this same trip a book was sold to Greene's brother-in-law, Phineas Young, a Methodist preacher. Also, a brother to Brigham Young. He read the book twice and "felt a conviction that the book was true."
John Young, father to Brigham and Phineas, read the book and believed it.
John's sister, Fanny Murray, mother-in-law of Heber C. Kimball, borrowed the book and believed that it was revelation from God.
It is probable that Heber C. Kimball borrowed and read one of Samuel's Book of Mormons.
Samuel returned from his brief mission without any apparent success. Little did he know at that time what seeds were planted and how many lives would be touched over the generations.
Heber C. Kimball presided over the opening of the British mission in 1837 resulting in the baptism of hundreds of new Saints and opening the door to further missionary work.
In 1839, Brigham Young led the Twelve, including Heber C. Kimball, on a second mission to England resulting in the baptisms of thousands of Saints.
How many Saints have been touched by the gospel because of the efforts of Samuel Smith? We do not know what impact our efforts will have over time
The Field is White
Is the Field still white? If so, how?
When we read stories like this, we are tempted to think that the great days of missionary work are past. We cannot allow ourselves to entertain such thoughts. Yes, those early missionaries laid a great foundation, but the missionary work is moving forward as never before. In 1999, there were 306,171 convert baptisms. The total membership of the Church did not reach that number until 1904, some 74 years after the Church was organized. Almost one million members are being baptized every three years. It took the Church until 1947 to reach the first million, almost 150 years. And now that number is being duplicated every three to four years. We live in the great day of missionary work. The gospel is being spread as never before in the history of the world. More importantly, these are not just numbers, but individual people whose lives have been touched and changed because someone shared the gospel.
Just as in the days of the early church, the Lord yet prepares people all around us- where we work, where we live, where we travel, on the buses we take, in the restaurants we patronize, and may I add in line at the grocery store, in office waiting rooms, in the elevator.. the Lord puts these people in our path every day. We MUST live our lives to ALWAYS be worthy of the spirit that prompts us to open our mouths. And when we feel that prompting, we MUST have the courage to act on it.
Jeffrey R. Holland
When the Lord delivers this person to your view, just chat—about anything. You can’t miss. You don’t have to have a prescribed missionary message. Your faith, your happiness, the very look on your face is enough to quicken the honest in heart. Haven’t you ever heard a grandmother talk about her grandchildren? That’s what I mean—minus the photographs! The gospel will just tumble out. You won’t be able to contain yourself!
But perhaps even more important than speaking is listening. These people are not lifeless objects disguised as a baptismal statistic. They are children of God, our brothers and sisters, and they need what we have. Be genuine. Reach out sincerely. Ask these friends what matters most to them. What do they cherish, and what do they hold dear? And then listen. If the setting is right you might ask what their fears are, what they yearn for, or what they feel is missing in their lives. I promise you that something in what they say will always highlight a truth of the gospel about which you can bear testimony and about which you can then offer more. Elder Russell Nelson told me once that one of the first rules of medical inquiry is “Ask the patient where it hurts. The patient,” he said, “will be your best guide to a correct diagnosis and eventual remedy.” If we listen with love, we won’t need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us—by the Spirit and by our friends. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “‘Witnesses unto Me’,” Liahona, Jul 2001, 15–17)
D&C75:3-4
3 Behold, I say unto you that it is my will that you should go forth and not tarry, neither be aidle but blabor with your might—
4 Lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, aproclaiming the btruth according to the revelations and commandments which I have given you.
Open Your Mouths and they shall be filled
So, what do we say?
D&C 11:9
9 aSay nothing but brepentance unto this generation. Keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my cwork, daccording to my commandments, and you shall be blessed
D&C33:10-11
10 Yea, open your mouths and they shall be filled, saying: Repent, arepent, and prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for the bkingdom of heaven is at hand;
11 Yea, arepent and be baptized, every one of you, for a bremission of your sins; yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.
When the Lord calls upon us to cry nothing but repentance, he wishes that all we say and do be in the spirit of bringing the people to repentance.
How is this done?
It is done differently, depending if you are a set-apart as a full-time missionary, ward missionary or a member missionary.
Remember, repentance means a change of mind, i.e., a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined.
By helping others turn away from the ways of the world, and towards God, we are preaching repentance.
As member missionaries, we may begin by inviting people to our home, a sporting event, a Church activity, or a service project. Small steps to fellowship others will eventually lead to spiritual conversations, invitations to attend Church, and interest in listening to the missionaries. Remember that sharing the gospel is a process, not an event. Our example is critical, but it is not the end. We must have the courage to reach out because people will not usually invite themselves. (Clarke, Ensign, March 2009, 36).
The Lord promises great blessings to those who labor in His service.
Directly after Samuel Smith’s return to his family , Hyrum speedily went to visit Joseph to inquire what the Lord would have him do. His message was similar to those given to both Father Smith and to Samuel. The Lord also counseled him:
D&C11:20-21
20 Behold, this is your work, to akeep my commandments, yea, with all your might, bmind and strength.
21 Seek not to adeclare my word, but first seek to bobtain my cword, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my dSpirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the econvincing of men.
When we discuss the gospel with others, do we not all desire this power? And here, it is promised us if we first obtain the word, and second, seek the spirit.
D&C 18:13-16
13 And how great is his ajoy in the bsoul that crepenteth!
14 Wherefore, you are called to acry repentance unto this people.
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one asoul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the akingdom of my Father, how great will be your bjoy if you should bring many csouls unto me!
When Elder Don Clarke, of the seventy attended Washington state, he invited his friend Garry Borders to hear the discussions .
Today more than 80 members of Garry’s family are members of the Church. Garry has served as a bishop and stake president, blessing the lives of countless individuals.
When we lived in Connecticut, Garry and his wife, Sue, along with their daughter, stopped to visit us on their way to Israel. After returning from Israel, he sent me a statue of the Savior with a sheep. The statue bore this message: “Thank you for saving one lost sheep!” I keep the statue in my office as a reminder of that wonderful experience so many years ago.
Following dinner at our home one evening, Garry shared these precious parting words: “Thirty-five years ago, who would have thought that something like this could have happened to a country boy like me. I owe the two of you more than I can express, and I just want you to know how grateful I am that you took the time to share. Everything I hold dear flows from that time in 1971.”
D&C 11:3
3 Behold, the field is awhite already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his bmight, and reap while the day lasts, that he may ctreasure up for his soul deverlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.
Doctrine and Covenants 4, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 31, 33, 75,
If you remember, there was much confusion on the subject of religion in Joseph’s youth. This was not just limited to his local area but, extended throughout the country. Those who were students of the Bible found discrepancies between what they read and what was being preached. When Joseph received revelation from God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ that the true church was not found on the earth, but would be established , it not only changed Joseph’s life but, all those who had been seeking answers just as diligently as Joseph had.
Think of the excitement that must have taken a hold of the many who had been searching and seeking for Christ’s original church and teachings when news came to them that the church, indeed would return and that the fullness of the gospel was now to be had in a book of gold that was being translated by a man called of God to be a prophet to His people.
People wanted to know what it was that they could do to further the work. They all wanted a hand in what they had waited so long to receive. It was these desires that led so many to approach Joseph and inquire: “ What would the Lord have me do?”
The chapters we will discuss today are revelations that came to the prophet Joseph in response to these inquiries.
The first to inquire was Father Smith ( Joseph Smith Sr.)
After Martin Harris had lost the 116 pages of translation, Joseph returned to his home in Harmony, PA. His mother said, “ We parted with heavy hearts, for it seemed as though all our fond anticipations, that which we had fed upon and which had been the source of so much secret gratification to us, had in a moment fled, and fled forever.”
“We never heard from our unfortunate son until two months after, when, being uneasy as to the consequences of his distress of mind, Mr. Smith and myself went down to Harmony to make him a visit.”
After receiving the news that the Lord had restored the ancient record and the gift of translation to his son, Joseph Smith Sr. asked his son to inquire in his behalf relative to his duty. This revelation is the result of that inquiry. Revelations of the Restoration, p. 66.
Joseph Fielding Smith
This revelation is very short, only seven verses, but it contains sufficient counsel and instruction for a lifetime 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. Joseph Fielding Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:35.
If this revelation truly is for all of us, and I testify that it is, then each of us must read it as if we were the one asking Joseph to inquire of the Lord what He would have us do. Although this section of the Doctrine and Covenants is heavily used in the mission field, it was not intended for missionaries alone. Joseph Sr.’s calling in the church would be a patriarch.
Doctrine &Covenants 4:1
1 Now behold, a amarvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.
What is the marvelous work that the Lord refers to ?
It is in effect the entire gospel coming forth in this dispensation. It is the Book of Mormon, the restoration of the priesthood, the organization of the true church, it is missionary work., it is establishing Zion and the millennial kingdom. It even goes beyond the scope of the gospel to include the outpouring of all truth and knowledge in this dispensation, including technology, art, science and all things that further the work of the Lord in the latter days.
Think of the amazing changes that have occurred since the first vision that have aided in the spreading of the gospel, and the gathering of the saints: locomotives, cars, airplanes, radio, television, computers,
Brothers and sisters..this marvelous work of the gospel is STILL HAPPENING and WE can be a part of it!
D&C4:2-3
2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the aservice of God, see that ye bserve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand cblameless before God at the last day.
3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are acalled to the work;
Want to be a part of it? Then, you are called to the work. The responsibility is placed on the one with the DESIRE. Desire leads to opportunity. However, this is serious business. If you truly have the desire, you better be willing to give it your ALL.. your heart, might, mind and strength. It requires total devotion to one master, and one master alone.. the Lord Jesus Christ.
To be clear, the right to act in the name of the Lord, in a specific calling ( i.e. Primary President, Elders Quorum secretary, YW advisor) must come through prophecy and by the laying on of hands. However, ALL those with the desire can be a part of the great work of establishing Zion and the gathering of Israel.
D&C4:4
4 For behold the afield is white already to bharvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in cstore that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;
The Lord not only uses the phrase “field is white already to harvest” to Joseph Sr. but also to Hyrum, in section 11; Ezra Thayre and Northrop Sweet in section 33; Oliver Cowderey in section 6; Joseph Knight in section 12: and David Whitmer in section 14.
Wheat is green as it grows but loses its color as it matures. Therefore, the paler the stalk, the closer the wheat is to harvest. The field isn’t ALL READY ( meaning about to begin) but already ( meaning now in progress) to harvest.
The Lord has made ready the souls of men to receive the gospel.. it is now happening. If you preach of the gospel, share the gospel and otherwise bring those men to the knowledge of the true and everlasting gospel, eternal blessings will be yours.
D&C 4:5-7
5 And afaith, bhope, ccharity and dlove, with an eeye single to the fglory of God, gqualify him for the work.
6 Remember faith, avirtue, knowledge, btemperance, cpatience, dbrotherly ekindness, fgodliness, charity, ghumility, hdiligence.
7 aAsk, and ye shall receive; bknock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.
Again, do you have a desire? then come in! be a part of the work and by faith, hope, charily and love I will qualify you for the work. But do not forget faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance.. etc.. YOU must also qualify yourself.. By doing so, you gain a testimony of this great and marvelous work. The testimony MUST precede teaching.
The Lord declared to Hyrum, who was so anxious to spread the good news of the gospel, that he was distributing portions of the Book of Mormon as it was being printed:
D&C 11:21
21 Seek not to adeclare my word, but first seek to bobtain my cword, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my dSpirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the econvincing of men.
Elder Don R. Clarke- March 2009 Ensign
Member missionaries can find strength in studying Preach My Gospel and by reading the experiences of early missionaries of the restored Church, such as Samuel Smith and Wilford Woodruff( might I also add Parley P. Pratt) We can also study and emulate the great missionaries from the Book of Mormon: Alma, Ammon, and the sons of Mosiah, to name just a few. These great missionaries studied the scriptures, prayed for success, and then went to work.
If we want to be successful member missionaries, we must do the same. Let us pray not only for our full-time missionaries but also that we will be missionaries. As we study, pray, and put into practice what we learn and feel, we will have success.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland speaks of the difficulties we sometimes face in our attempts to share the gospel
“I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience,” Salvation never was easy. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him?”
As we look out at the "field" we sometimes think that the task is so large that we do not believe we can make a difference. We are often discouraged and might give up the task because it seems so difficult or great. We should not and cannot make that mistake. We do not know what impact our efforts, our testimonies, and our examples have on those around us.
“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).
About 3 months later, just weeks after the Aaronic Priesthood had been restored, Joseph’s brother Samuel came to visit. Oliver and Joseph were so excited about the portion of the plates that they had translated as well as receiving the priesthood, and laboured to persuade him concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ. Samuel, however was not easily persuaded. After much inquiry, he went into the nearby woods and prayed to know the truth. By revelation, gained a testimony of the truthfulness of Joseph and Oliver’s teachings of the gospel. Oliver baptized Samuel and Samuel, 1 year later became officially the first missionary of the church.
At the first conference of the Church, in June 1830, the Prophet's brother Samuel was ordained an elder. Shortly thereafter, the Prophet set Samuel apart as a missionary to take the Book of Mormon to the people in the vicinity of Palmyra.
On June 30th, Samuel started down the road with a knapsack filled with copies of the Book of Mormon. On that first day Samuel walked 25 miles without a favorable contact. After a tiring and discouraging day, Samuel stopped at a wayside tavern. He told the tavern keeper about the Book of Mormon and how it came to be. The man, in a rage, said, "Get out! You shan't stay one minute with your books."
On another day, in Bloomfield, New York, Samuel left a Book of Mormon with John P. Green, a circuit preacher. Green was not interested, but said he would sell the book to anyone that was. When Samuel returned to Bloomfield, no one had purchased the book, but Mrs. Green had read it and believed it. Samuel was inspired to leave it with her. Later Greene read it and also believed it.
Mrs. Green loaned this book to her brother who read it. Her brother was Brigham Young.
On this same trip a book was sold to Greene's brother-in-law, Phineas Young, a Methodist preacher. Also, a brother to Brigham Young. He read the book twice and "felt a conviction that the book was true."
John Young, father to Brigham and Phineas, read the book and believed it.
John's sister, Fanny Murray, mother-in-law of Heber C. Kimball, borrowed the book and believed that it was revelation from God.
It is probable that Heber C. Kimball borrowed and read one of Samuel's Book of Mormons.
Samuel returned from his brief mission without any apparent success. Little did he know at that time what seeds were planted and how many lives would be touched over the generations.
Heber C. Kimball presided over the opening of the British mission in 1837 resulting in the baptism of hundreds of new Saints and opening the door to further missionary work.
In 1839, Brigham Young led the Twelve, including Heber C. Kimball, on a second mission to England resulting in the baptisms of thousands of Saints.
How many Saints have been touched by the gospel because of the efforts of Samuel Smith? We do not know what impact our efforts will have over time
The Field is White
Is the Field still white? If so, how?
When we read stories like this, we are tempted to think that the great days of missionary work are past. We cannot allow ourselves to entertain such thoughts. Yes, those early missionaries laid a great foundation, but the missionary work is moving forward as never before. In 1999, there were 306,171 convert baptisms. The total membership of the Church did not reach that number until 1904, some 74 years after the Church was organized. Almost one million members are being baptized every three years. It took the Church until 1947 to reach the first million, almost 150 years. And now that number is being duplicated every three to four years. We live in the great day of missionary work. The gospel is being spread as never before in the history of the world. More importantly, these are not just numbers, but individual people whose lives have been touched and changed because someone shared the gospel.
Just as in the days of the early church, the Lord yet prepares people all around us- where we work, where we live, where we travel, on the buses we take, in the restaurants we patronize, and may I add in line at the grocery store, in office waiting rooms, in the elevator.. the Lord puts these people in our path every day. We MUST live our lives to ALWAYS be worthy of the spirit that prompts us to open our mouths. And when we feel that prompting, we MUST have the courage to act on it.
Jeffrey R. Holland
When the Lord delivers this person to your view, just chat—about anything. You can’t miss. You don’t have to have a prescribed missionary message. Your faith, your happiness, the very look on your face is enough to quicken the honest in heart. Haven’t you ever heard a grandmother talk about her grandchildren? That’s what I mean—minus the photographs! The gospel will just tumble out. You won’t be able to contain yourself!
But perhaps even more important than speaking is listening. These people are not lifeless objects disguised as a baptismal statistic. They are children of God, our brothers and sisters, and they need what we have. Be genuine. Reach out sincerely. Ask these friends what matters most to them. What do they cherish, and what do they hold dear? And then listen. If the setting is right you might ask what their fears are, what they yearn for, or what they feel is missing in their lives. I promise you that something in what they say will always highlight a truth of the gospel about which you can bear testimony and about which you can then offer more. Elder Russell Nelson told me once that one of the first rules of medical inquiry is “Ask the patient where it hurts. The patient,” he said, “will be your best guide to a correct diagnosis and eventual remedy.” If we listen with love, we won’t need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us—by the Spirit and by our friends. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “‘Witnesses unto Me’,” Liahona, Jul 2001, 15–17)
D&C75:3-4
3 Behold, I say unto you that it is my will that you should go forth and not tarry, neither be aidle but blabor with your might—
4 Lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, aproclaiming the btruth according to the revelations and commandments which I have given you.
Open Your Mouths and they shall be filled
So, what do we say?
D&C 11:9
9 aSay nothing but brepentance unto this generation. Keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my cwork, daccording to my commandments, and you shall be blessed
D&C33:10-11
10 Yea, open your mouths and they shall be filled, saying: Repent, arepent, and prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for the bkingdom of heaven is at hand;
11 Yea, arepent and be baptized, every one of you, for a bremission of your sins; yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.
When the Lord calls upon us to cry nothing but repentance, he wishes that all we say and do be in the spirit of bringing the people to repentance.
How is this done?
It is done differently, depending if you are a set-apart as a full-time missionary, ward missionary or a member missionary.
Remember, repentance means a change of mind, i.e., a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined.
By helping others turn away from the ways of the world, and towards God, we are preaching repentance.
As member missionaries, we may begin by inviting people to our home, a sporting event, a Church activity, or a service project. Small steps to fellowship others will eventually lead to spiritual conversations, invitations to attend Church, and interest in listening to the missionaries. Remember that sharing the gospel is a process, not an event. Our example is critical, but it is not the end. We must have the courage to reach out because people will not usually invite themselves. (Clarke, Ensign, March 2009, 36).
The Lord promises great blessings to those who labor in His service.
Directly after Samuel Smith’s return to his family , Hyrum speedily went to visit Joseph to inquire what the Lord would have him do. His message was similar to those given to both Father Smith and to Samuel. The Lord also counseled him:
D&C11:20-21
20 Behold, this is your work, to akeep my commandments, yea, with all your might, bmind and strength.
21 Seek not to adeclare my word, but first seek to bobtain my cword, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my dSpirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the econvincing of men.
When we discuss the gospel with others, do we not all desire this power? And here, it is promised us if we first obtain the word, and second, seek the spirit.
D&C 18:13-16
13 And how great is his ajoy in the bsoul that crepenteth!
14 Wherefore, you are called to acry repentance unto this people.
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one asoul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the akingdom of my Father, how great will be your bjoy if you should bring many csouls unto me!
When Elder Don Clarke, of the seventy attended Washington state, he invited his friend Garry Borders to hear the discussions .
Today more than 80 members of Garry’s family are members of the Church. Garry has served as a bishop and stake president, blessing the lives of countless individuals.
When we lived in Connecticut, Garry and his wife, Sue, along with their daughter, stopped to visit us on their way to Israel. After returning from Israel, he sent me a statue of the Savior with a sheep. The statue bore this message: “Thank you for saving one lost sheep!” I keep the statue in my office as a reminder of that wonderful experience so many years ago.
Following dinner at our home one evening, Garry shared these precious parting words: “Thirty-five years ago, who would have thought that something like this could have happened to a country boy like me. I owe the two of you more than I can express, and I just want you to know how grateful I am that you took the time to share. Everything I hold dear flows from that time in 1971.”
D&C 11:3
3 Behold, the field is awhite already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his bmight, and reap while the day lasts, that he may ctreasure up for his soul deverlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.
