Four Divine Responsibilities

When I was growing up people often spoke of the “threefold mission of the Church.” For example, President Benson said this: “We have a sacred responsibility to fulfill the threefold mission of the Church—first, to teach the gospel to the world; second, to strengthen the membership of the Church wherever they may be; third, to move forward the work of salvation for the dead.” President Hinckley put it this way: “As has been said before from this pulpit, he has given us a three-fold mission: first, the teaching of the restored gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; second, the building of the Saints in their faith and encouraging them in all of their activities to walk in obedience to the commandments of the Lord; and third, the great work of salvation for the dead.” So where do these three purposes of the Church come from? Elder Cook recently highlighted the fact that “three ancient prophets, Moses, Elias, and Elijah, appeared and committed keys which were essential to accomplish the Lord’s purpose for His restored Church in this dispensation.” Elder Cook elaborated: “First, Moses appeared and committed the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, which is missionary work. Second, Elias appeared and committed the keys of the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, which includes the restoration of the Abrahamic covenant…. Third, Elijah appeared and committed the keys of the sealing power in this dispensation, which is family history work and temple ordinances enabling salvation for the living and the dead.” He summarized how these three sets of keys are manifest in the Church’s organization today: “There are, under the direction of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, three executive councils at Church headquarters that oversee these divinely appointed responsibilities based on the keys that were restored in the Kirtland Temple. They are the Missionary Executive Council, the Priesthood and Family Executive Council, and the Temple and Family History Executive Council.” Those keys which the Prophet Joseph received in 1836 are still active today in guiding the work of the Church to proclaim the gospel, perfect the Saints, and redeem the dead.

                More recently, though, a fourth mission of the Church was added to this list. Elder Stevenson spoke about these four aspects of the work of salvation outlined in the General Handbook in the most recent general conference:

      1.       Living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2.       Caring for those in need.

3.       Inviting all to receive the gospel.

4.       Uniting families for eternity.

Elder Cook explained, “The fourth responsibility, care for the poor and needy, did not need restored keys but does rely on the divinely inspired Church organization.” Of course this has always been an important part of the Church’s activities, but I love that it is emphasized in this way now to remind us that we have a divine responsibility to help those in need. Elder Stevenson told a story of how one ward in in Columbia acted to help three youth who had recently lost both their father and their mother. He recounted, “The three siblings were now left all alone in their small, humble shelter. The walls were made of crude wood lined with plastic bags, and the corrugated tin roof covered only the area where they slept.” As members realized their plight, they organized an effort to build a house for these youth. He continued, “The ward organizations contacted several ward members who work in construction. Some helped with design, others donated time and labor, others made meals, and still others donated needed materials. When the little house was finished, it was a joyful day for those who helped and for the three young ward members. These orphaned children felt warm and reassuring bonds of their ward family to know that they are not alone and that God is always there for them.” Surely that kind of work, coming to the temporal rescue of those in need, is an essential part of what we are here on earth to accomplish. If we were to do the other three but neglect caring for those in need, these words Savior would condemn us: “Wo unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the poor, for your riches will canker your souls; and this shall be your lamentation in the day of visitation, and of judgment, and of indignation: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved!” (Doctrine and Covenants 56:16) In reality our work to care for those in need is a part of our efforts to proclaim the gospel and bring others unto the Savior. And we help others and ourselves to live the gospel of Jesus Christ as we strive to help those in need around us. That was a major part of the mission of the Savior Himself as He healed and blessed and taught those in need, and surely it should be a part of our work in the Church today that cannot be neglected.