Doctrine and Covenants Commentary - Section 80

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
Commentary & Explanation
Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
         SECTION 80

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio, March 1832. HC 1:257.

    1—5, Stephen Burnett and Eden Smith are called to preach in whatever place they choose.
 1 VERILY, thus saith the Lord unto you my servant aStephen Burnett: Go ye, go ye into the world and preach the gospel to every bcreature that cometh under the sound of your voice.
 2 And inasmuch as you desire a companion, I will give unto you my servant aEden Smith.

 3 Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for ye cannot go amissa.
 4 Therefore, declare the things which ye have heard, and verily believe, and aknow to be true.

Disciple's Calling 
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" ~ Matthew 28:19-20

This commandment is the general foreordinational blessing upon all who come into discipleship of Jesus Christ, that is members of His Church. It is to take the Gospel unto all the world, every nation, every people, every kindred, every tongue and every soul who has ever lived upon this earth who is a son or daughter of Adam and a spirit child of God the Father of Spirits.

 3a it mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss The general commandment is to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world; every nation, kindred, tongue and people. When there is no other specific foreordination other than to the end of this general command, then indeed it 'mattereth not' for the call is unto all the world, and one cannot 'go amiss' for the gospel must be taught and declared unto all. This in no less of a calling, it is the same calling but without a 'specific' assignment beyond the grand calling to all of Ephraim of the covenant to so fulfill their responsibility under the Plan of God and to the Covenant of Abraham. In one respect this was Jesus' own calling though he specifically was called unto the 'Lost Tribes of Israel', Israel being sifted into all the nations of the earth and all are the children of God, his was still somewhat of a generalized calling.
 5 Behold, this is the will of him who hath acalled you, your Redeemer, even Jesus Christ. Amen.