A Pattern Unto the Elders

In early 1832, the Prophet Joseph was told this in a revelation: “Now, verily I say unto you my servants, Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon, saith the Lord, it is expedient to translate again; And, inasmuch as it is practicable, to preach in the regions round about until conference; and after that it is expedient to continue the work of translation until it be finished.” The Lord then followed with this interesting statement: “And let this be a pattern unto the elders until further knowledge, even as it is written” (Doctrine and Covenants 73:3-5). So what is the pattern here? Joseph was told to both preach the gospel and to spend time translating the Bible (i.e. what became the Joseph Smith Translation). Perhaps what the Lord meant was that we need to both look outward by serving others and preaching the gospel and to look inward to strengthen ourselves spiritually through the scriptures and other means. This matches the pattern followed by missionaries today. They spend two hours in the morning studying the scriptures and preparing spiritually before going out to labor in His vineyard to share the gospel. If missionaries did not study so much they would have more opportunity to serve and preach the gospel, but it would be I believe less effective because they would not have the Spirit with them to the same extent. Or, alternatively, they could spend all their time studying the gospel in order to draw closer to the Lord, but that too would cause them to be ineffective in fulfilling their mission because they would not be bringing others unto Christ. No, the Lord’s pattern is that we must both strengthen ourselves spiritually and go forth to bless and serve others. Perhaps the instruction that the Lord gave Hyrum can also be seen as wisdom to be applied each day: “Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loose” (Doctrine and Covenants 11:21). Each day we seek to obtain His word through our study of the scriptures, and we seek to declare His word through our interactions and service to others.

                I think this general principle can also be applied to the balance we must find in caring for our own families and in serving others. As we rightfully focus on ministering in the Church, I believe we should remember that the service we render in the home, particularly to children, is also an important aspect of our ministering. Sometimes they are the ones who most need our service. Clearly the Lord has commanded us to take the gospel to all the world, and we cannot neglect our duty to serve and bless those outside our own families. As the Prophet Joseph Smith said it, “A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.” But as Paul also said, “If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Timothy 5:8). Surely that statement applies to what we provide spiritually as well to our own families, and that is an essential part of our ministering. The Lord recognized that for Brigham Young after he had spent many years away from home preaching the gospel: “My servant Brigham, it is no more required at your hand to leave your family as in times past, for your offering is acceptable to me. I have seen your labor and toil in journeyings for my name. I therefore command you to send my word abroad, and take especial care of your family from this time, henceforth and forever” (Doctrine and Covenants 126:1-3). The Lord recognized his need to focus on taking care of his family, which surely meant both physically and spiritually. When the Lord came among the Nephites, He focused extensively on the children and sought to help the people “behold” their little ones. We should not feel guilty if the only service we can render in a given day is to those little ones in our homes. Some days we will need to sacrifice time with family in order to serve others outside our homes, and other times we will need to limit time away and focus on ministering to our loved ones. Just as the Lord taught the Prophet Joseph that he should both preach the gospel and focus on the scriptures, we too can follow that pattern knowing that fortifying ourselves and our families spiritually as well as serving others outside our homes are all part of the same great work to bring souls to Christ.