Doctrine and Covenants Commentary - Section 4

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
SECTION 4 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to his father, Joseph Smith, Sen., at Harmony, Pennsylvania, February 1829. HC 1:28.
1—4, Valiant service saves the Lord's ministers; 5—6, Godly attributes qualify them for the ministry; 7, Things of God must be sought after.
D&C 4:1 NOW behold, a ^amarvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. D&C 4:2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the ^aservice of the God, see that ye ^bserve him with all your heart, mind and strength, that ye may stand ^cblameless before God at the last day.
D&C 4:3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are ^acalled to the work; D&C 4:4 For behold the ^afield is white already to ^bharvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in ^cstore that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;
Godly Attributes ~ Principles of Righteousness
D&C 4:5 And ^afaith, ^bhope, ^ccharity and ^dlove, with an ^eeye single to the ^fglory of God, ^gqualify him for the work. D&C 4:6 Remember faith, ^avirtue, knowledge, ^btemperance, ^cpatience, ^dbrotherly ^ekindness, ^fgodliness, charity, ^ghumility, ^hdiligence. Qualifying Attributes These attributes which qualify one for the work of the ministry as a servant of God are the same, that is similarly stated, as the set of qualifying attributes required for the righteous administration of the priesthood as given in section 121. There they are called the 'Principles of Righteousness'. A similar list is also given in section 107 verse 30.
D&C 4:7 ^aAsk, and ye shall receive; ^bknock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.