Apostles to Forsake All in Missionary Cause

3 Ne 13:34; 3 Ne 13:30; 3 Ne 13:25; Luke 12:22-32; Matthew 6:25-34; This portion of the Sermon on the Mount was delivered to the apostles and such of the disciples as were called to forsake their temporal pursuits and carry the message of salvation to the world. There is not now and never has been a call to the saints generally to "sell that ye have" (Luke 12:33), give alms to the poor, and then to take no thought for the temporal needs of the present or future. Rather, as part of their mortal probation, the true followers of the Master are expected by him to provide for themselves and their families. (D&C 75.)

3 Ne 13:34; 3 Ne 13:30; 3 Ne 13:25; Luke 12:22-32; Matthew 6:25-34; However, a special rule applies to those who are called to go into the world without purse or scrip and preach the gospel. For the time and season of their missionary service they are to have no concern about business enterprises or temporal pursuits. They are to be free of the encumbering obligations that always attend those who manage temporal affairs. Their whole attention and all of their strength and talents are to be centered on the work of the ministry, and they have the Father's promise that he will look after their daily needs.

I. V. Matthew 6:25-27, 30; 3 Nephi 13:25. Express instruction is here recorded showing that what is to follow applies to those engaged in missionary work and not to the Church generally.

3 Nephi 13:34. Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof] Those on the Lord's errand will have their temporal needs supplied day by day without worrying about the future.

I. V. Luke 12:33. Even as the ox which labors to harvest the grain should be fed as he harvests, so those sent forth to harvest souls are worthy of their hire.

Matthew 6:33. Seek ye first the kingdom of God] It is common to quote this command as one directing men to seek, through righteousness, the things of the celestial world. Counsel so to do is never inappropriate. But, actually, as seen from the Inspired Version accounts of Matthew and Luke, Jesus is directing his ministers "to build up the kingdom of God" (I. V. Matthew 6:38), and to seek "to bring forth the kingdom of God" (I. V. Luke 12:34), meaning the Church of Jesus Christ, which is the kingdom of God on earth. They were being sent forth, as are the missionaries in this day, to preach the gospel so that converts might come into the Church or kingdom, thereby building it up in strength and power.

Luke 12:34. Compare D&C 6:34; 29:5; 35:27.