Lessons on the Book of Mormon 2020
Lesson No. Nineteen

Missionaries and Other Faithful Servants are Given Exceedingly Great Promises

Promises given to king Mosiah and his missionary sons – The sons of Mosiah had a great desire to teach the gospel to the Lamanites.  (See Mosiah 28:3-4)

“And it came to pass that they did plead with their father many days that they might go up to the land of Nephi.  And king Mosiah went and inquired of the Lord if he should let his sons go up among the Lamanites to preach the word” (Mosiah 28:5-6). 

In answer to Mosiah’s prayer the Lord made three promises that generally apply to all righteous and worthy missionaries:  “And the Lord said unto Mosiah: Let them go up, for many shall believe on their words (they will have success), and they shall have eternal life (the greatest of all blessings, see 1 Nephi 15:36); and I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites” (they will be protected) (Mosiah 28:7).

Worthy missionaries are given success – Success may not come immediately or in ways that mortals might expect.  However, no righteous service in the work of the Lord is for naught.  It will be rewarded in ways the Lord knows best.  For example, Abinadi had only one convert yet Alma the elder and his posterity of Nephite prophets and the records they kept have blessed untold millions then and now. 

Missionaries never know when a seed is planted how and when it  will take root.  If a missionary’s only convert is himself that success alone brings eternal blessings. 

Worthy missionaries are protected – This does not mean that worthy missionaries are never injured or killed.  However, considering that there are approximately 60,000 thousand missionaries serving worldwide, there are a relatively few serious injuries or deaths.  This is a miracle, and the hand of the Lord is in it.

Furthermore, I believe what President Joseph Fielding Smith taught at the funeral of Elder Richard L. Evans that no righteous person is taken before their time.  (See Ensign, December 1971)   If a righteous missionary dies on their mission, I believe that the Lord deeply loves that missionary, and that his or her work on the earth is now finished and acceptable to the Lord.

Missionaries are given the promise of eternal life if they remain faithful – The Lord promised king Mosiah that his sons would have eternal life.  I believe that before they left on their mission to the Lamanites that Mosiah gave them a fathers blessing and confirmed these promises to them. 

Today, before missionaries leave for their missions they receive their patriarchal blessings (many also receive a father’s blessing).  They also receive their temple endowment with the promise of eternal life if they remain faithful to the end. 

The Lord’s servants in the latter days are given exceedingly great promises – In February 1829, in preparation for the restoration of His Church, the Lord spoke through the Prophet Joseph Smith to the Prophet’s father.  This applies to all those who serve in His Church:

“Valiant service saves the Lord’s ministers” (D&C 4, headnote) –  “NOW behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

“Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day. 

“Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;

“For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul” (D&C 4:1-4, emphasis added).

“Godly attributes qualify them for the ministry” (D&C 4, headnote) – “And faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work. Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence” (D&C 4:5-6).

The Lord will answer His servants prayers – “Ask and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (D&C 4:7). 

I know the Lord gives and fulfills exceedingly great promises to those who serve Him.