GPC33: Missionary Work, Gospel Principles Comments and Resources Gospel Principles
Unit 7: Perfecting Our Lives
Chapter 33: Missionary Work
Comments and Resources "Perhaps the greatest reason for missionary work is to give the world it's chance to hear and accept the gospel. The Scriptures are replete with commands and promises and calls and rewards for teach the gospel. I use the word command deliberately for it seems to be an insistent directive from which we, singly and collectively, cannot escape...." "...I wonder if we are doing all we can. Are we complacent in our approach to teaching all the world?We have been proselyting now 144 years. Are we prepared to lengthen our stride?To enlarge our vision?" ("When the World Will Be Converted"  Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, Oct.1974, pp. 4-5.) During the study of this topic, we will learn what the Lord has said about the destiny of missionary work, who is responsible to do it, and what the role of the missionary is. Resources:
Gospel Principles: chapter 33
A marvelous Work and a Wonder, chapters 1, 18.
Jesus the Christ, chapter 21.
Truth Restored, chapter 4. Scriptures:
Alma 17-23
"An account of the sons of Mosiah, who rejected their rights to the kingdom for the word of God, and went up to the land of Nephi to preach to the Lamanites; their sufferings and deliverance according to the record of Alma.Comprising chapters 17 to 26 inclusive." Alma 17
"An account of the sons of Mosiah, who rejected their rights to the kingdom for the word of God, and went up to the land of Nephi to preach to the Lamanites; their sufferings and deliverance according to the record of Alma.Comprising chapters 17 to 26 inclusive.
The sons of Mosiah have the spirit of prophecy and of revelation They go their several ways to declare the word to the Lamanites Ammon goes to the land of Ishmael and becomes the servant of King Lamoni Ammon saves the king s flocks and slays his enemies at the waters of Sebus.From about 91 to 77 B.C." Alma 18
"King Lamoni supposes that Ammon is the Great Spirit Ammon teaches the king of the creation, of God's dealings with men, and of the redemption that comes through Christ Lamoni believes and falls to the earth as if dead.About 90 B.C." Alma 19
"Lamoni receives the light of everlasting life and sees the Redeemer His household fall into a trance, and some see angels Ammon is preserved miraculously He baptizes many and establishes a church among them.About 90 B.C." Alma 20
"The Lord'sends Ammon to Middoni to deliver his imprisoned brethren Ammon and Lamoni meet Lamoni s father, who is king over all the land Ammon compels the old king to approve the release of his brethren.About 90 B.C." Alma 21
"An account of the preaching of Aaron, and Muloki, and their brethren, to the Lamanites.Comprising chapters 21 to 26 inclusive.
Aaron teaches the Amalekites about Christ and his atonement Aaron and his brethren are imprisoned in Middoni After their deliverance they teach in the synagogues and make many converts Lamoni grants religious freedom to the people in the land of Ishmael.Between 90 and 77 B.C." Alma 22
"Aaron teaches Lamonis father about the creation, the fall of Adam, and the plan of redemption through Christ The king and all his household are converted How the land was divided between the Nephites and the Lamanites.Between 90 and 77 B.C." Alma 23
"Religious freedom is proclaimed The Lamanites in seven lands and cities are converted They call themselves Anti-Nephi-Lehies and are freed from the curse The Amalekites and the Amulonites reject the truth. Between 90 and 77 B.C."
Helaman 5, 10
Helaman 5"Nephi and Lehi devote themselves to preaching Their names invite them to pattern their lives after their forebears Christ redeems those who repent Nephi and Lehi make many converts and are imprisoned, and fire encircles them A cloud of darkness overshadows three hundred people The earth shakes and a voice commands men to repent Nephi and Lehi converse with angels, and the multitude are encircled by fire. About 30 B.C.and Lehi converse with angels, and the multitude are encircled by fire. About 30 B.C." Helaman 10"The Lord gives Nephi the sealing power He is empowered to bind and loose on earth and in heaven He commands the people to repent or perish The Spirit carries him from congregation to congregation.Between 23 and 20 B.C." D&C 11-12, 18, 33
D&C 11
"Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to his brother Hyrum Smith, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, May 1829. HC 1:39 46. This revelation was received through the Urim and Thummim in answer to Joseph's supplication and inquiry.History of the Church suggests that this revelation was received after the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood.
1-6, Laborers in the vineyard will gain salvation; 7-14, Seek wisdom, cry repentance, trust in the Spirit; 15-22, Keep the commandments and study the Lord's word; 23-27, Deny not the spirit of revelation and of prophecy; 28-30, Those who receive Christ become the sons of God." D&C 12
"Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Joseph Knight, Sen., at Harmony, Pennsylvania, May 1829. HC 1:47 48. Joseph Knight believed the declarations of Joseph Smith concerning his possession of the Book of Mormon plates and the work of translation then in progress, and several times had given material assistance to Joseph Smith and his scribe, which enabled them to continue translating.At Joseph Knight's request the Prophet inquired of the Lord and received the revelation.
1-6, Laborers in the vineyard are to gain salvation; 7-9, All who desire and are qualified may assist in the Lord's work." D&C 18
"Revelation to Joseph Smith the Prophet, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer, given at Fayette, New York, June 1829. HC 1:60 64. When the Aaronic Priesthood was conferred, the bestowal of the Melchizedek Priesthood was promised.See heading to 13">Section 13.In response to supplication for knowledge on the matter, the Lord gave this revelation.
1-5, Scriptures show how to build up the Church; 6-8, The world is ripening in iniquity; 9-16, The worth of souls is great; 17-25, To gain salvation, men must take upon them the name of Christ; 26-36, The calling and mission of the Twelve are revealed; 37-39, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer are to search out the Twelve; 40-47, To gain salvation, men must repent, be baptized, and keep the commandments." D&C 33
"Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Ezra Thayre and Northrop Sweet, at Fayette, New York, October 1830. HC 1:126 127. In recording this revelation the Prophet affirmed that the Lord is ever ready to instruct such as diligently seek in faith.
1-4, Laborers are called to declare the gospel in the eleventh hour; 5-6, The Church is established and the elect are to be gathered; 37-10, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; 11-15, The Church is built upon the gospel rock; 16-18, Prepare for the coming of the Bridegroom." Jonah 1-3
Jonah 1
"Jonah is sent to call Nineveh to repentance He flees on a ship, is cast into the sea, and is swallowed by a great fish." Jonah 2
"Jonah prays to the Lord, and the fish vomits him out on dry ground." Jonah 3
"Jonah prophesies the downfall of Nineveh The people repent and the city is saved." Luke 10:1-20
  "1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
  2 Therefore said he unto them, The 10/2a">harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
  3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
  4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
  5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
  6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
  7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
  8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
  9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
  10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
  11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
  12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
  13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
  14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
  15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
  16 He that >heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that 10/16e">despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
  17 ¶ And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
  18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
  19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
  20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Acts 13
"Saul and Barnabas called to missionary service Saul, now Paul, curses a sorcerer Christ came of the seed of David Paul offers the gospel to Israel, then to the Gentiles." Articles of Faith 1:11"We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may." Topical Guide:
                            Conversion, Convert
                            Fellowshipping
                            Gentiles
                            Israel, Mission of
                            Jesus Christ, Teaching Mode of
                            Mission of Early Saints
                            Mission of Latter-Day Saints
                            Missionary Work
                            Preaching, Preach
                            Warn, Warnings
                            Worth of Souls

Bible Dictionary:
                                Conversion
                                Gentile
                                Jew Guide to the Scriptures:
                                             Missionary Work
                                             Conversion, Convert
                                             Gospel
                                             Preach
Return to Previous Page
index page Gospel Principles Comments and Resources -------------------------------------------------------------
Moroni 10:4-5
  "4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
  5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

Read the Gospel Principles on the Web at www.ChurchofJesusChrist.org
<Gospel Principles> The Plan of Redemption
<The Plan of Redemption> Questions Answered By The Book of Mormon
<Questions Answered By The Book of Mormon>