Doctrine and Covenants 75: Doctrine and Covenants: Mission Calls

Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Student Study Guide, (2005), 85–86

Doctrine and Covenants 75was received at a conference held at Amherst, Ohio—50 miles west of Kirtland. An important event of this conference was the sustaining of Joseph Smith as the President of the High Priesthood. This was one of the first steps in the organization of the office of the First Presidency of the Church. This revelation also contains the fulfillment of the promise the Lord made two weeks before to let the elders know “by the voice of the conference, their several missions” (D&C 73:2). In those days, married men received mission calls and left their wives and families at home while they served their missions. What practical advice did this revelation give those men and their families? What was the responsibility of the rest of the Church members to a family who has a father and husband on a mission?

Understanding the Scriptures

Doctrine and Covenants 75

Laden with many sheaves(v. 5)A symbolic term for great missionary success 
Revoke the commission(v. 6)Cancel the calling 
Tolerable(v. 22)Bearable 

Doctrine and Covenants 75:18–20—What Does It Mean to “Shake Off the Dust of Your Feet”?

the “Understanding the Scriptures” section forDoctrine and Covenants 24:15(p. 36).

Studying the Scriptures

Do activity A as you studyDoctrine and Covenants 75.

Activity A iconPonder the Promises

  1. 1.

    ReviewDoctrine and Covenants 75:5, 1–11, 13, 16and list what the Lord commanded and what He promised those who were going on missions.

  2. 2.

    Select one of the promises and write two or three sentences explaining why that promise impressed you.

  3. 3.

    Elder Spencer W. Kimball, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said: “A mission is not just a casual thing—it is not an alternative program in the Church. Neither is a mission a matter of choice any more than tithing is a choice, any more than sacrament meeting is a choice, any more than the Word of Wisdom is a choice. Of course, we have our free agency, but the Lord has given us choices. We can do as we please. We can go on a mission or we can remain home. But every normal young man is as much obligated to go on a mission as he is to pay his tithing, attend his meetings, keep the Sabbath day holy, and keep his life spotless and clean” (Circles of Exaltation[address to religious educators, June 28, 1968], 3).

President Gordon B. Hinckley taught that young women are not under the same obligation as young men in serving missions:

“The First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve are united in saying to our young sisters that they are not under obligation to go on missions. I hope I can say what I have to say in a way that will not be offensive to anyone. Young women should not feel that they have a duty comparable to that of young men. Some of them will very much wish to go. If so, they should counsel with their bishop as well as their parents. If the idea persists, the bishop will know what to do.

“I say what has been said before, that missionary work is essentially a priesthood responsibility. As such, our young men must carry the major burden. This is their responsibility and their obligation” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 73; orEnsign,Nov. 1997, 52).

What are some preparations young men should make to be a good missionary? What can young women do to help the young men be ready to serve?