Doctrine & Covenants 75 — Study Guide

Summary:

This passage illustrates how the Lord interacts with His servants in mercy and truth. William E. McLellin is chastened for murmuring and sin, yet forgiven and recommissioned. He is to continue proclaiming the gospel, joined by Luke Johnson. All elders are instructed to call upon the Comforter, who teaches all things. Prayer, endurance, and faithful obedience are emphasized as conditions of divine companionship.

Language & Cultural Insights:

• “I, the Lord, chasten him for the murmurings of his heart”

  • The Hebrew concept of chastening is often associated with the word יָסַר (yāsar), which means to instruct or discipline for the purpose of correction. It is an act of covenant love, not condemnation—see Proverbs 3:11–12 and Hebrews 12:6.

    
    

• “Nevertheless, I forgive him…”

  • The Lord’s mercy follows chastisement, demonstrating the divine pattern of both justice and compassion. This reflects the Hebrew root סָלַח (sālach), used in temple and priestly contexts to indicate divine forgiveness (e.g., Leviticus 4:20).

    
    

• “Calling on the name of the Lord for the Comforter”

  • The Comforter (Greek: παράκλητος – paraklētos) — is a title for the Holy Spirit in John 14:26, meaning one who comes alongside to help, encourage, and advocate. In Jewish tradition, the Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) is linked with wisdom, inspiration, and prophetic clarity.

    
    

•  "Praying always that they faint not"

  • This phrase  reflects a timeless scriptural theme: persevering in constant prayer to sustain spiritual strength.

    
    

    In Luke 18:1, Jesus teaches His disciples to “always pray, and not to faint,” emphasizing persistent prayer in the face of difficulty. Nephi echoes this in 2 Nephi 32:8–9, urging us to pray always and warning that spiritual neglect opens the door to temptation.

    
    

    Amulek teaches in Alma 34:26–27 that prayer should permeate our daily lives—at home, in the field, in our hearts—so we are spiritually prepared and do not “faint" under the loads of our burdens and trials. Similarly, D&C 10:5 links constant prayer to overcoming evil, while D&C 19:38 promises that those who pray always will be filled with the Spirit. Finally, D&C 93:49 warns that without continual prayer, we risk falling into temptation and losing our spiritual reward.

    
    

    In the context of D&C 75:6–12, this phrase serves as divine counsel to missionaries—and all disciples—reminding us that spiritual resilience is sustained through daily, heartfelt prayer. Though the wording varies across scriptures, the message is unified: consistent communion with God empowers us not to faint under pressure but to endure and prevail.

    
    

• “Be with them even unto the end”

  • This covenantal phrase echoes Matthew 28:20, underscoring the Lord’s abiding presence with those who fulfill their commission in faith.

Cross-References:

• Proverbs 3:11–12 — Chastening as a sign of love

• Hebrews 12:6 — The Lord chastens whom He loves

• Leviticus 4:20 — Sacrificial forgiveness

• John 14:26 — The Comforter, the Holy Ghost

• Matthew 28:20 — “Lo, I am with you alway”

Reflection Questions:

• Have you ever experienced chastisement from the Lord that led to growth and recommitment?

• In what ways do you actively “call on the Comforter” in your ministering efforts or personal life?

• What does it mean to be spiritually “sent forth again” after a setback?

Summary:

This passage outlines mission assignments for pairs of early Church leaders and sets forth sacred protocols for missionary work. The Lord promises His presence to those who faithfully proclaim His gospel and gives specific instructions for how missionaries are to respond to both acceptance and rejection. Those who faithfully labor will “overcome all things” and “be lifted up at the last day.”

Language & Cultural Insights

• “Be with them even unto the end” This echoes the Savior’s promise in Matthew 28:20: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” The Greek word for end is συντέλεια (sunteleia), meaning completion, consummation, or climax. The phrase underscores the Lord’s covenant loyalty and sustaining presence throughout discipleship.

  
  

• “He who is faithful shall overcome all things, and shall be lifted up at the last day” This draws from Revelation 3:21: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne.” The Greek verb for overcome is νικάω (nikaō), meaning to conquer or prevail. The phrase “lifted up at the last day” reflects John 6:40, promising resurrection to the faithful.

  
  

• “Leave your blessing upon that house” Reflects the covenant act seen in Matthew 10:13: “If the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it.” The Hebrew word for blessing is בְּרָכָה (berakhah), which connotes divine favor, covenantal grace, and sacred prosperity.

  
  

• “Shake off the dust of your feet”A prophetic and symbolic gesture signifying that the missionaries are no longer accountable for those who reject the gospel message (see Mark 6:11 and Acts 13:51).

  
  

This act reflects ancient Jewish customs of separation and witness—publicly declaring, “I have done all that was required of me.” It served not only as a formal testimony against hardened hearts, but also as a spiritual release for the minister. By performing this act, missionaries could let go of resentment and emotional burdens that might otherwise linger and negatively affect them and future efforts.

The Savior invoked this tradition in situations where communities exhibited particularly antagonistic and hostile behavior—such as those compared to Tyre, Sidon, Sodom, and Gomorrah—underscoring the serious consequences that follow willful rejection and rebellion of divine truth, especially among those who had already received the light of the gospel.

This was never intended to be vengeful or vindictive, but rather a clear and solemn acknowledgment of spiritual danger and accountability. It emphasized the justice of God while preserving the integrity and emotional well-being of the Lord’s servants.

• “It shall be more tolerable for the heathen in the day of judgment, than for that house” 

  Parallels the solemn warning in Matthew 10:15: “It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha…” The Hebrew term for heathen is גּוֹי (goy), meaning nation, later used to refer to gentiles or non-Israelites. The phrase “day of judgment” connects to the eschatological justice of Revelation 20:12.

  
  

• “Gird up your loins and be faithful” A Hebrew idiom of preparation and courage. See 1 Peter 1:13: “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind.” The Hebrew root is חָגַר (chagar), meaning to gird, tighten, or equip oneself for action. Often used before battle or covenantal service.

  
  

• “Ye shall overcome all things” A promise repeated throughout Revelation, such as Revelation 21:7: “He that overcometh shall inherit all things.” Once again, this is grounded in the Greek verb νικάω (nikaō), reinforcing the theme of spiritual victory over trials.

Cross-References:

• Luke 10:1–12 — Missionary model of Christ

• Matthew 10:12–13 — Blessings and peace

• Mark 6:11; Acts 13:50–51 — Dust as testimony

• Matthew 19:28 — Disciples as judges

• 1 Corinthians 6:2 — Saints judging the world

• John 6:40 — Resurrection promise

• Revelation 3:21 — Overcoming and being exalted

Reflection Questions:

• How do these verses help us understand the seriousness of missionary work?

• What is the modern equivalent of “leaving your blessing” on a home?

• How might these verses help us deal with rejection or resistance when we share truth?

Summary

This segment outlines the Church’s responsibility to care for the families of missionaries, establishing a model of collective stewardship and mutual support. The Lord emphasizes that providing for one’s family—whether through personal labor or Church support—is sacred and does not diminish one's spiritual reward. The verse also reiterates the seriousness of missionary work and the expectation of diligent effort, while listing specific individuals and their assigned companions in the Lord's vineyard.

Language & Cultural Insights

• “Support the families of those…called” – This reflects the early Saints' communal efforts to uphold those sacrificing for the gospel. Compare with the New Testament principle in Galatians 6:2: “Bear ye one another’s burdens.

  • “Support” – Can be associated with the Hebrew term סָעַד (saʿad), meaning “to sustain or uphold,” and ἀντιλαμβάνομαι (antilambanomai) in Greek, which means “to take hold of, to help.”

    
    

• “Obtain places for your families” – A practical command with deep covenantal overtones. It recalls Israel’s tribal inheritance system (e.g., Numbers 26:52–56)—emphasizing stability, belonging, and spiritual identity.

• “Open their hearts” – Echoes Biblical phrases such as in Acts 16:14 where the Lord “opened” Lydia’s heart. In Hebrew thought, the heart (לֵב – lev) is the seat of will, desire, and understanding.

• “He shall in nowise lose his crown” – An assurance that temporal responsibility is not lesser than spiritual labor. The “crown” (cf. 2 Timothy 4:8) here represents eternal reward.

  
  

• “The idler shall not have place in the church” – Echoes 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12. Labor—temporal and spiritual—is a core discipleship marker.

  
  

• “Ask…knock…Comforter shall make known” – A pattern of revelation and guidance. See Matthew 7:7; the Comforter (Greek: paraklētos, παράκλητος) refers to the Holy Ghost as Guide and Advocate (cf. John 14:26).

  
  

• “Made known from on high” – “On high” refers to the divine realm. The phrase echoes Luke 1:78, “Dayspring from on high.” The Hebrew idiom might involve marom (מָרוֹם – heights).

• “Comforter” – From the Greek παράκλητος (paraklētos), meaning “advocate, helper, one who comes alongside.” Used by Christ in John 14:26 to refer to the Holy Spirit.

• “Crown” – Greek: στέφανος (stephanos), a victor’s wreath. Symbol of reward and honor, especially in martyrdom or faithful labor (James 1:12). – A symbol of victory and honor, used in the Greco-Roman world for athletes and rulers. In Hebrew thought, kingship and reward are tied to righteousness (cf. Isaiah 28:5).

• “Duty of the church” – The word duty in Hebrew can be rendered by terms like חֹק‎ (ḥōq) (appointed ordinance or obligation) or מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) (judgment, justice). In this case, it reflects a binding communal responsibility.

  
  

• “Diligent” – Hebrew: שָׁקַד (shaqad) – “to be watchful, to be earnest.” Greek: σπουδάζω (spoudazō) – “to make haste, be zealous.”

  
  

• “Idle” – Greek: ἀργός (argos) – “inactive, lazy, unproductive.”

  
  

• “United in the ministry” – The Hebrew root אַחְדוּת (achdut) means “oneness” or “unity.” In Greek, κοινωνία (koinōnia) signifies fellowship, shared purpose, and intimate participation.

Reflection Questions

• How can your ward or family today model the kind of mutual support commanded in these verses?

• What does this passage teach about the relationship between providing for one's family and serving the Lord?

• What does it mean to have “support” not just financially but spiritually and emotionally?

• Are there members in your ward or family who have burdens that you might help to lift?

• What does it mean to be “united in the ministry,” and how can we strengthen unity in our callings and relationships?

References

• Doctrine and Covenants 75:23–36

• Galatians 6:2 – Bear One Another’s Burdens (BLB)

• Matthew 7:7 – Ask and It Shall Be Given (BLB)

• John 14:26 – The Comforter Shall Teach You All Things (BLB)

• 2 Timothy 4:8 – Crown of Righteousness (BLB)

• 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12 – Warning Against Idleness (BLB)

General Conference Links

• “Watchful Unto Prayer Continually” – Elder David A. Bednar

• “The Greatest Possession” – Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

• “Are You Still Willing?” – Elder Kevin W. Pearson