Lessons on Missionary Service
Lesson No. Eighteen

Called to Serve - Doctrine and Covenants Section 4

A clarion call to service in the Lord’s kingdom – The ancient battle trumpet gave a clarion (clear) call to the battle.  In the great latter-day battle between good and evil the clarion call to the Lord’s servants is sounded by that powerful missionary hymn Called to Serve (LDS Hymns p. 249). 

The Lord’s call to serve in his kingdom is recorded in D&C 4.  This revelation touches our hearts with beautiful clarity, moving simplicity, and with great power.  While it is intended for all members of the Church it has come to be applied specifically to full time missionaries.  It sets forth the requirements necessary and the promises made to all of the Lord’s servants.

  • A marvelous work (Vs 1) – This refers to the restoration of the gospel which began with the First Vision and it will continue into the Millennium.  This marvelous work is accelerating in our day. 
  • We must serve with all our heart, might, mind and strength (Vs 2) – The heart refers to all of our emotions and feelings; our might represents our abilities and gifts; our mind is that we work by faith and represents our mental capacities that must be positive, focused, organized, and adaptable; strength relates to our willingness to physically put forth our greatest effort.
  • If ye have desires…ye are called (Vs 3) – This reminds us that there are many callings in the Church if we desire to serve the Lord. Young men in the Church demonstrate their desire to serve the Lord and fulfill their priesthood responsibility by being prepare and be worthy to serve full-time missions.  For young women it is an invitation to serve a mission if they desire and are prepared.
  • The field is white already to harvest (Vs 4) – Wheat is green when it is young and growing.  As it matures the green fades and the field becomes white.  Likewise, the world in now ready to harvest.
  • Thrusteth in his sickle with his might (Vs 4) is to serve with all of our capacities.
  • The same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul (Vs 4) – “Valiant service saves the Lord’s ministers” (D&C 4, headnote).  The Lord promises salvation to His servants, and salvation “is the greatest of all the gifts of God” (1 Nephi 15:36).
  • Faith, hope, charity and love (Vs 5) – The order that faith, hope, charity and love as given in this verse is significant.  First, we have faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement.  We will then develop a hope or an assurance that we qualify for His gift of salvation.  This hope then brings charity, the pure love of Christ, that each of the Lord’s servants desire to have, to share, and to be like Him.
  • An eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work (Vs 5) – Moroni in referring to Joseph Smith and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon explained how our eye can be single to the glory of God:  “For none can have power to bring it (the Book of Mormon) to light save it be given him of God; for God wills that it shall be done with an eye single to his glory, or the welfare of the ancient and long dispersed covenant people of the Lord” (Mormon 8:15, emphasis added).  The covenant people of the Lord is the House of Israel.  Therefore, to “qualify for the work” our desire and purpose must be to gather Israel and to build Zion.   
  • Christ-like attributes of faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, and diligence are required of the Lord’s servants (Vs 6).
  • Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you (Vs 7) – This is one of the most important and repeated promises in all of scripture.  If the Lord’s servants ask for direction and then go forward with faith and diligence they will be given the Holy Ghost to direct their service.

Testimony – In the Kentucky Louisville Mission we asked our missionaries to memorize D&C 4, and most did.  We now ask that our family, especially our grandchildren as they come of age, to memorize this scripture.  We also suggest that anyone who desires to serve the Lord become familiar with D&C 4.  This will plant the requirements and blessings that come from being in His service deep into our hearts.