Lesson 11: “The Field Is White Already to Harvest”

Purpose

To help class members resolve to strengthen the kingdom of God through diligent service, particularly by sharing the gospel through missionary work.

Preparation

Prayerfully study the following scriptures and other materials:

• Doctrine and Covenants 4; 11–12; 14–18; 31; 33; 75; 
• Our Heritage, page 11.
• Alma 17:2–3
• Alma 26:22
• D&C 4:1–7
• D&C 11:21
• D&C 12:8
• D&C 18:10–16

To gain a greater understanding of historical events related to the doctrine in this lesson, consider reviewing the following:

• “A Mission to the Lamanites.”
• “Joseph Smith’s Support at Home”: This article gives context for the revelations that have been canonized as Doctrine and Covenants 4 and 11.
• “The Knight and Whitmer Families”: This article gives context for the revelations contained in Doctrine and Covenants 12, 14, 15, and 16. 
• “Ezra Thayer: From Skeptic to Believer”: This article gives context for the revelation now found in Doctrine and Covenants 33.
• ‘I Quit Other Business’: Early Missionaries”: This article discusses early efforts by men and women to share the gospel, both informally and as formally called missionaries.
• “Ministry of Brigham Young: A Faithful Missionary”: This two-minute video discusses Brigham Young’s many missions.

Discussion and Application

In February 1829, Joseph Smith’s parents came to visit Joseph and Emma in Harmony, Pennsylvania. During this time, the Prophet inquired of the Lord and received the revelation recorded in D&C 4 for his father, Joseph Smith Sr.

In addition to this revelation for his father, the Prophet received revelations for many others who asked him to inquire of the Lord and learn of His will for them. Some of these revelations are recorded in D&C 11, 12, 14, 15, and 16. Although these revelations were given for individuals, the principles pertain to all who serve in the Lord’s kingdom (D&C 11:27).

1. “Serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength.”

• (See D&C 4:1–2) According to verse 2, what does the Lord require of those who serve in His kingdom? What does it mean to serve with all our heart, might, mind, and strength?
• Why is it important that we devote our whole souls to the Lord’s service? Why are we sometimes less than fully committed to the Lord’s service? How can we improve our commitment to serve the Lord with full devotion?

Joseph Smith’s father devoted his life to serving the Lord, as he was instructed in D&C 4. The following account, which shows the depth of his commitment to share the gospel:

“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).

• How can we show the same commitment to sharing the gospel that Joseph Smith Sr. showed? What experiences have you had when sharing the gospel with your family or neighbors? with people at school or work? with people you meet as you travel? in other circumstances?

2. Prepare to serve the Lord.

Throughout the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord counsels us in how to prepare ourselves to serve Him. This preparation should be a continual effort throughout our lives.

• What are some of the attributes the Lord desires in those who serve Him?
  1. D&C 4:3; 11:8. Why is desire an important attribute in serving the Lord? How can we increase our desire to serve Him?
  2. D&C 4:5–6; 12:8; 18:19. Which attributes are repeated most frequently in these verses? What experiences have you had that show the importance of these attributes in serving the Lord.
  3. D&C 11:6, 20. Why is obedience important in serving the Lord?
  4. D&C 4:7; 31:12. How has prayer helped you in serving the Lord?
• Read D&C 11:21. What can we learn from this verse about preparing to serve the Lord? How have your experiences shown the wisdom of this counsel?

3. “The field is white.”

Throughout the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord communicates a sense of urgency about spreading the gospel. This is because the purpose of missionary work is “the salvation of souls” (D&C 100:4).

• Read D&C 4:4, 11:3, and D&C 33:3. What did the Lord mean by comparing missionary work to a field that is ready to be harvested?
• The Lord warned the elders not to be idle and said that they should “go forth” rather than “tarry” (D&C 60:13; 75:3). How might this warning apply to us? Why do some of us delay sharing the gospel?

Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve related the following experience:

“It’s easy to say, ‘The time isn’t right.’ But there is danger in procrastination. Years ago I worked for a man in California. He hired me; he was kind to me; he seemed to regard me highly. I may have been the only Latter-day Saint he ever knew well. I don’t know all the reasons I found to wait for a better moment to talk with him about the gospel. I just remember my feeling of sorrow when I learned, after he had retired and I lived far away, that he and his wife had been killed in a late-night drive to their home in Carmel, California. He loved his wife. He loved his children. He had loved his parents. He loved his grandchildren, and he will love their children and will want to be with them forever.

“Now, I don’t know how the crowds will be handled in the world to come. But I suppose that I will meet him, that he will look into my eyes, and that I will see in them the question, ‘Hal, you knew. Why didn’t you tell me?’” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1998, 42; or Ensign, Nov. 1998, 33).

4. “Open your mouths and they shall be filled.”

In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord gives direction about what we should teach and how we should teach as we share the gospel. He also encourages us to share the gospel without fear, promising to help when we feel inadequate.

• Read D&C 11:9, 15:6, 18:6, 31:3–4, 33:10–11,42:12, and D&C 52:8–9. What do these verses reveal about what the Lord’s servants should teach? Why is the message of repentance so important? (See D&C 18:10–14.)
• Read D&C 18:20–21, 38:41, 42:6, 14, 75:4, and D&C 100:7–8. What do these verses reveal about how the Lord’s servants should teach? Why is it important to avoid contention in teaching the gospel? What does it mean to “[lift] up your voices as with the sound of a trump”? (D&C 42:6; 75:4). How can we be both bold and meek as we teach the gospel? (See Alma 38:10–12.)
• The Lord repeatedly exhorted the elders to open their mouths to declare His gospel, “not fearing what man can do” (D&C 30:11; see also D&C 30:5; 33:8–11). The Lord also said that He is not pleased with those who “will not open their mouths … because of the fear of man” (D&C 60:2). How might this apply to us? How can we overcome fear in sharing the gospel? (See D&C 19:38; 33:12–14; 75:9–13.)
• Some of us hesitate to share the gospel because we lack confidence in our speaking or teaching abilities. How can we overcome such a concern? (See D&C 11:21; 14:8; 31:3.) What experiences have you had when the Spirit has prompted your words as you shared the gospel?

5. The Lord promises great blessings to those who labor in His service.

• What does the Lord promise those who labor diligently in His service?
  • D&C 4:4; 11:3; 75:5.
  • D&C 18:15–16. What feelings do you have for Church members who shared the gospel with you?
  • D&C 31:5; 84:60–61.
  • D&C 31:7; 109:55–57. How has the Lord opened your heart or the hearts of others to the gospel?
  • D&C 31:11; 84:85; 100:5–6. How has the Spirit guided your efforts or inspired you as you have shared the gospel?
  • D&C 31:13; 75:9–13; 84:88. Have you felt the Lord support you and bear you up as you have shared the gospel?
  • D&C 71:9–10. The Lord gave this promise at a time when the Church was under attack from a bitter apostate. How can this promise help us today?
  • D&C 84:80. How has the Lord sustained you mentally, physically, and spiritually as you have preached the gospel?
  • D&C 100:7–8. Have you felt the Holy Ghost bear record while you have shared the gospel?