Doctrine and Covenants 44

Doctrine and Covenants 44

Historical Context

The revelation in section 44 was among the outpouring of instructions Joseph Smith received when he first arrived in Ohio. We do not know the exact date this revelation was received, but its placement among the others given around this time suggests that it came late in February 1831. The revelation calls for a gathering of elders to assemble themselves together. This commandment may have been fulfilled in a meeting held on April 9, 1831, but it was more likely in a conference held later that year on June 6. In his later history, Joseph Smith tied this revelation directly to the meeting held on June 6, 1831, where the Prophet and others were ordained to the high priesthood.1

The revelation was given during an exciting and challenging time for the Church. Around this same time, Joseph wrote to Martin Harris, asking him to “inform the Elders which are there that all of them who can be spared will come here without delay, if possible . . . by Commandment of the Lord as he has a great work for them all in this our inheritance.”2 A few days later Joseph wrote to his brother Hyrum, saying, “I have been engaged in regulating the Churches here as the disciples are numerous and the devil had made many attempts to overthrow them. It has been a serious job, but the Lord is with us, and we have overcome, and have all things regular. The work is breaking forth on the ​right​ hand and on the left and there is a great Call for Elders in this place.”3

“Historical Introduction,” Revelation, February 1831–B [D&C 44]

Verse-by-Verse Commentary

D&C 44:1–6

1 Behold, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants, it is expedient in me that the elders of my church should be called together, from the east and from the west, and from the north and from the south, by letter or some other way.

2 And it shall come to pass, that inasmuch as they are faithful, and exercise faith in me, I will pour out my Spirit upon them in the day that they assemble themselves together.

3 And it shall come to pass that they shall go forth into the regions round about, and preach repentance unto the people.

4 And many shall be converted, insomuch that ye shall obtain power to organize yourselves according to the laws of man;

5 That your enemies may not have power over you; that you may be preserved in all things; that you may be enabled to keep my laws; that every bond may be broken wherewith the enemy seeketh to destroy my people.

6 Behold, I say unto you, that ye must visit the poor and the needy and administer to their relief, that they may be kept until all things may be done according to my law which ye have received. Amen.

Among the charges given to the elders of the Church is an obligation to visit and administer relief to “the poor and the needy,” a category broad enough to include every member of the Church and their neighbors. In the Church in our time, the charge to minister is shared by both the elders and the sisters.

Sister Jean B. Bingham, serving as the General Relief Society President, spoke of the Lord’s charge to visit and minister to those in need. “After all is said and done, true ministering is accomplished one by one with love as the motivation. The value and merit and wonder of sincere ministering is that it truly changes lives! When our hearts are open and willing to love and include, encourage and comfort, the power of our ministering will be irresistible. With love as the motivation, miracles will happen, and we will find ways to bring our ‘missing’ sisters and brothers into the all-inclusive embrace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”4

At the same conference, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland outlined the purpose of visiting those in need: “In spite of what we all feel are our limitations and inadequacies—and we all have challenges—nevertheless, may we labor side by side with the Lord of the vineyard, giving the God and Father of us all a helping hand with His staggering task of answering prayers, providing comfort, drying tears, and strengthening feeble knees. If we will do that, we will be more like the true disciples of Christ we are meant to be.”5 Regardless of whether the program is called home or visiting teaching, ministering, or any other title, the principle of visiting and assisting those in need will always be central to the work of the Lord’s Church.

Footnotes

• 1. JS History, vol. A-1, 103, JSP.
• 2. Letter to Martin Harris, 22 February 1831, JSP.
• 3. Letter to Hyrum Smith, 3–4 March 1831, JSP.
• 4. “Ministering as the Savior Does,” April 2018 General Conference.
• 5. “Be With and Strengthen Them,” April 2018 General Conference.