Sunday School Lesson 41: Every Member a Missionary

D&C 1:4-5 And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days. And they shall go forth and none shall stay them for I the Lord have commanded them. I have a couple of thoughts on this one, neither related to missionary work. The line, whom I have chosen: does it mean that God has chosen all the people who would be considered his disciples or he has chosen from among the disciples those who will be missionaries? Second, the comment that none shall stay them for I...have commanded them is interesting to me, because of the verse that I can't find about when the Lord gives you a commandment and you are prevented from accomplishing it but you tried as hard as you can, then he treats it as though you had accomplished it. Here he says that none shall stay them but elsewhere, he acknowledges that sometimes evil men are able to prevent others from keeping the commandments.

D&C 65 The heading says that Joseph smith designated this revelation as a prayer. That's very interesting because it makes me wonder about the meaning of the word "prayer." I've typically thought of prayer as communication with God, typically one-way communication. A statement, or series of statements that you believe that God will hear, and a request or series of requests that you hope he will deign to acknowledge or grant. This prayer, however, is clearly directed to both human and Godly ears. 5 of the 6 verses are directed at man, and only the final verse seems to change focus and address God.

I do like the line, Call upon the Lord, that his kingdom may go forth upon the Earth, implying that if we fail to pray, the kingdom will have a tough time going forth. our worthiness allows the kingdom of God to grow.

D&C 123:12-13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things . . . Now this is extremely interesting wording. We should waste our lives? Not just spend them, but waste them.