Church News viewpoint: An abundant harvest

In February 1829, the Prophet Joseph Smith and his family received a visit at their home in Harmony, Pa., from his father, Joseph Sr.During that visit, the Prophet received a revelation for his father that has been preserved for us as Doctrine and Covenants 4. Through the years, it has become perhaps the most oft-quoted passage of scripture among Mormon missionaries, with the possible exception of Moroni 10:4-6. Some missions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints take it as their theme.Given more than a year before the church was formally organized, the revelation announces the imminent coming of a \"marvelous work\" to the world. Those who are called to the work — defined as any who have a desire to serve God — are admonished to serve Him with their full capacity so that they \"may stand blameless before God at the last day.\"Then, with striking New Testament imagery, the Lord declares in verse 4, \"For behold the field is white already to harvest.\"Some readers or listeners might misinterpret the word already as all ready. Though both terms fit the construction of the sentence, there is a distinctive difference in meaning between the two. All ready means \"completely ready\"; already means \"even now.\" So, what the verse is saying is that the field is ready even now for harvest.See the rest of this story at ldschurchnews.com

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