The Lord invited Frederick G. Williams to "succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees." It begins with awareness: we need to notice the need. Then we can provide appropriate assistance, whether that be emergency relief, encouragement, or training and coaching.
Vessels of Wrath, Vessels of Mercy
We are all vessels. We all carry intangible things wherever we go, and some of what we carry spills over and influences the people around us, for good or for evil. If we carry bitterness, frustration, or anger, we are "vessels of wrath." If we carry kindness, gratitude, or joy, we are "vessels of mercy."
A Crown of Eternal Life
God promised William E. McLellin "a crown of eternal life." Book of Mormon prophets similarly promised that the righteous will "sit down in the kingdom of God. These crowns and thrones aren't the exclusive purview of a few. God wants to give the gift of eternal life to all of His children.
Preparing the Way of the Lord
Isaiah prophesied that a messenger would cry, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." This prophecy applies not only to John the Baptist but to all of us. We prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ by being peacemakers, praying for charity, garnishing our thoughts with virtue, and spending more time in the temple.
In Temporal Labors
God blesses us both temporally and spiritually, but it's important for us to keep those blessings, and our corresponding responsibilities in perspective. Eternal things are more important than temporary ones. Our temporal blessings and efforts must be subservient to our spiritual ones.
Book of Mormon Elements in Doctrine and Covenants 20
The Articles and Covenants of the Church (D&C 20) outline core doctrines and priesthood duties, drawing heavily from the Book of Mormon. Some passages are quoted directly, while others synthesize multiple passages to affirm core doctrines. By relying on the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery grounded the restored Church on Christ’s gospel.
Walking in Holiness
God wants us to become holy. In 1830, he instructed church members to "[walk] in holiness before the Lord." Walking in holiness includes avoiding the profane, but it also includes inviting good and virtuous things into our lives and finding joy in our daily activities.
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.
“Temperate in All Things”
The Lord told Joseph Knight, Sr. that no one can assist in His work without being "temperate in all things." The apostle Paul compared disciples of Christ with elite athletes, who carefully manage their diet, sleep, and exercise. Elder Kent D. Watson compared a temperate soul to tempered glass, which does not shatter dangerously when it is subjected to extreme stress.
A Job Description for Servants of God
Doctrine and Covenants 4 reads like a job description. It states the need, the expectations, the compensation, and two lists of qualifications. We don't need all of those qualifications to get started. With God's help, we can develop them as we serve.