Doctrine and Covenants Commentary - Section 16

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
Commentary & Explanation
Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Peter Whitmer, Jun., at Fayette, New York, June 1829. HC 1:51; see also heading to Section 14. Peter Whitmer, Jun., later becomes one of the Eight Witnesses to the Book of Mormon.
    1—2, The Lord's arm is over all the earth;
    3—6, To preach the gospel and save souls is the thing of most worth.
 1 aHEARKEN, my servanta Peter, and listen to the words of Jesus Christ, your Lord and your Redeemer.
D&C 16:2 For behold, I speak unto you with sharpness and with power, for mine arm is over all the earth.

A Servant of God 
Being a servant of God is to do the mind and will of the Lord. It is not doing all things for all men in humility before them. When one is a servant of God, they are expected to stand and act for and in behalf of God, acting in the stead of God in form and manner as God would so act. There is nothing 'wimpy' about being a servant of God. Acting boldly before men as God would act yet not in a manner of self hypocritical pride within one self, but in that steadfastness which does well represent the Lord Jesus Christ. For it is his glory which the servant does work toward. Just as Jehovah who is Jesus Christ, submitted to the Father that his will and to his glory be the acts of the Lord be given. So it is with those of us who do act as the servants of God. We are to do so in the name of God, acting in his behalf as he would act. Considering the good of the people and doing that which the Lord would have us do in serving his people, his children. 		 1a my servant The central matter of 'meekness' is to put one's self into submission to the will and the mind of the Lord. Meekness is not to stand of low manner before the world, but to stand in submission unto God and then to do the will of God as a dully appoint servant of the Lord. And in performance of that service it will often require times of much boldness and steadfastness exhibited before and unto man. To be the Lord's servant is to do the mind and the will of the Lord in the manner and by the word which the Lord would have one do and say. It is going where the Lord would have you go. It is doing what the Lord would have you do. It is saying what the Lord would have you say. It is being what the Lord would have you be. It is boldly standing forth even as Nephi when he told his father, 'I will go and do that thing which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men save he shall prepare the way by which they may accomplish that which he hath commanded them.' This is meekness, this is being and acting in meekness as a servant of God.
D&C 16:3 And I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone—
D&C 16:4 For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you.
D&C 16:5 Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given you according to my commandments.

D&C 16:6 And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.