Doctrine and Covenants 18-19: “The Worth of Souls Is Great” (February 22-28)

People have infinite value. We may take others for granted at times, but God always recognizes their true worth, and He wants us to learn to see it too.

Shortly after learning for themselves of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, the Three Witnesses received specific assignments:

• Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer were instructed to find twelve men to serve as the Savior’s Twelve Apostles (Doctrine and Covenants 18:37-38).
• Martin Harris was instructed to contribute financially to the publication of the Book of Mormon (Doctrine and Covenants 19:26, 34-35).

But in the process of making both of these assignments, the Savior took the opportunity to teach them the importance of every child of God.

• “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God,” he said to Oliver and David. “Wherefore…how great shall be your joy…if you should bring…souls unto me” (Doctrine and Covenants 18:10-16).
• To Martin, the Lord emphasized the terrible price He was willing to pay on our behalf: “I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;… which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19).

Here are seven principles I have learned from these sections, together with relevant Book of Mormon passages and blog posts:

• Even when the probability of being accepted is low, missionary work is worth the effort because people are so important. As Alma began his mission to the Zoramites, he said, “Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious” (Alma 31:35, see also Doctrine and Covenants 18:10). (That We May Have Success – Alma 31:32-35)
• The ultimate test of how much we value something is the price we are willing to pay for it. Abinadi demonstrated the depth of his commitment to the gospel by giving his life rather than deny his testimony (Mosiah 17:20). Likewise, the Savior demonstrated His commitment to us by suffering all of our pain in order to bring us back to our Father in Heaven (D&C 18:10-11). (Having Sealed the Truth of His Words – Mosiah 17:20)
• When the Savior visited the American continent following His death and resurrection, He ministered to the people, including the children, “one by one” (3 Nephi 11:15, 3 Nephi 17:21). As we serve others, we should remember that each individual is worth our time and our attention. (One by One – 3 Nephi 17:21)
• We can overcome feelings of inadequacy by remembering that God’s grace is sufficient for each of us (Ether 12:27, Doctrine and Covenants 18:31). (“My Grace Is Sufficient” – Ether 12:26-27)
• In the Garden of Gethsemane, the Savior held nothing back. He gave all that He had to give on our behalf. (What Is the Significance of the Savior Bleeding “from Every Pore?”) (See Mosiah 3:7, Doctrine and Covenants 19:18).
• The Savior suffered to help us avoid unnecessary suffering (Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-17), but that doesn’t mean following Him is painless. Repentance is change, and change can be difficult. (Mosiah 28:4 Nevertheless They Suffered Much Anguish of Soul)
• The word “Hosanna” is both a desperate pleading and a heartfelt expression of confidence in God’s ability to save us. (See 1 Nephi 11:6, 3 Nephi 4:32, 3 Nephi 11:27, Doctrine and Covenants 19:37).