Why should Martin Harris mortgage his farm to pay for the publication of the Book of Mormon?
The Lord answered that question in Doctrine and Covenants 19. First, He provided a firsthand account of the suffering He bore to save us from our sins. We receive this gift through repentance, which is why it is so important to publish the glad tidings of the gospel to everyone. The Lord specifically contrasted Martin’s financial sacrifice with the eternal blessings awaiting him:
I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing—yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof.
Doctrine and Covenants 19:38
The sacrifices we make to help the cause of Christ are very small compared with the suffering He endured on our behalf and compared with the permanent blessings He offers to us.
Here are some other lessons I’ve learned from this revelation:
Outline
- Introduction: Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, retaining all power (v. 1-5)
- “Endless” or “eternal” punishment is God’s punishment, not necessarily never-ending punishment (v. 6-12)
- God suffered so that we wouldn’t have to suffer if we repent (v. 13-24)
- Guidance to Martin: Give thy property freely, pray, and preach the gospel (v. 25-38)
- “Come unto me thy Savior” (v. 39-41)
Key Themes
- In the garden of Gethsemane and on the cross, Jesus chose not to “shrink” from His responsibility to suffer for our sins.
- Through His atonement, Jesus absorbed the consequences of our sins.
- Disciples of Christ pray constantly, both in public and in private.
- The gospel is joyful, and we can extend invitations with optimism and with the sound of rejoicing.
- God’s words will bring peace into our lives.
Book of Mormon Connections
- Alma described his extreme pain and his subsequent joy using the same word: “exquisite.” (See Alma 36:20-21.) The Savior used the same word to describe His suffering for our sins. (See Doctrine and Covenants 19:15.)
- The tenth commandment states, “Thou shalt not covet” (Exodus 20:17, Mosiah 13:24). The Lord reiterated this commandment to Martin Harris, adding that he shouldn’t even covet his own property. (See Doctrine and Covenants 19:26.)
Applications
- Be open to the heart-expanding experiences of life. Avoid numbness and indifference.
- Face your challenges head-on. Don’t ignore them or address them half-heartedly. Face them with equanimity and steadiness, like a flint.
- Pay your debts, and release yourself from bondage.
- Strengthen your relationships, ensure they are peaceful, and become more unified with the people around you.
- Keep your desires in check, and show proper respect for other people. Don’t covet what they have.
Recommended Posts
Blog Posts: March 4-9
Suffering the Will of the Father
Jesus did “always those things that please” His Father. His Atonement is the ultimate manifestation of that decision criterion. While we each walk an individualized path, we should make decisions based on what pleases God, not what “works for us.”
Pray Vocally
The Lord instructed Martin Harris, “Pray vocally as well as in thy heart.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has encouraged us to pray out loud whenever possible, even when we are alone. He said, “I think this process is basic to how God communicates with us and how He intends for us to communicate with Him.”
“The Rod of My Mouth”
In the scriptures, a rod represents correction, protection, and guidance. Nephi taught that the iron rod represents the word of God. Isaiah prophesied that God would smite the wicked with “the rod of his mouth.” He always speaks the truth, and His words can prompt us to change and return to the path that leads…
“Joy and Gladness”
The Lord asked Martin Harris if he could read His words without rejoicing. This is a good question for all of us. Can you find joy in the gospel? Are you artificially inhibiting that joy? How would your life be different if you allowed yourself to feel all that God wants you to feel?
Endless
Book of Mormon authors use the phrase “endless torment” to describe the suffering from which God has delivered us. The Lord encouraged Martin Harris to think of this suffering as enormous, not unending. With this context, “endless punishment” means God’s punishment, or in other words, the punishment God willingly suffered on our behalf.
Thy Daily Walk
The Lord emphasized to Martin Harris that we need to focus on our “daily walk,” living every day according to the counsel we have received. Two essential components of our daily walk with Him are prayer and gratitude.
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