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The Doctrine and Covenants is accepted as scripture by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called “Mormons”). It’s unique among scripture because it came to us through the mouths of modern-day prophets. So we can view the counsel between its pages as uniquely geared toward us in the latter days.
We’ve discussed the marvelous work that the Lord has brought forth, and the importance of serving with all our hearts, might, minds, and strength. These are points that are addressed earlier in the fourth section of the Doctrine and Covenants. But this third verse poses an interesting question: Do we truly desire to serve God?
On some level, perhaps anyone who fears God might desire to serve Him – or at least not offend Him. Mormons understand that God is our loving Father in Heaven who wants only the best for us. In the book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price (another book of scripture of the LDS Church) we learn that God’s “work and glory” is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39)
With this in mind, we can understand that serving God will help Him to bring about His purposes – which are to bring about our own eternal life and the eternal life of His other children. It’s interesting to realize that our service to God isn’t actually for His benefit. It’s for ours. It’s for the benefit of all of His children.
Now, this might seem like a good idea. And some desires are relatively easy for many of us to fulfill. For instance, if I desire a candy bar, I can go to the store and buy one. If a child desires a new doll or a new sled for Christmas, he or she may need to wait until Christmas to receive what they desire. But many will still get them without having to do more than wait. But what if we desire to serve God?
Elder Marvin J. Ashton (1915-1994), who was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church, shared the following story:
One night a young idealist had a dream. He dreamed there was a new store in a nearby shopping mall. He went in and saw an angel behind a counter. Nervously, he asked what the shop sold.
“Everything your heart desires,” replied the angel.
“Then I want peace on earth,” exclaimed the idealist. “I want an end to famine, sorrow, and disease.”
“Just a moment,” replied the angel. “You haven’t understood. We don’t sell fruit here-only seeds.” Marvin J. Ashton, “The Measure of Our Hearts,” Ensign, Nov 1988, 15
It isn’t enough to hope in the backs of our minds that God’s work goes forth, especially if someone else does all the work. It isn’t enough to hope in passing that our friends and families will be saved in the kingdom of God. If we truly desire these things, we must work and bring these seeds to fruition. And if we truly desire them – we will.
