Day 34

Doctrine and Covenants, Section 4: 1 Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men. This was received about fourteen months before the organization of the Church 0n April 6. We are just told Joseph Smith reeived this in February, 1829 at Harmony, Penn. It was written to Joseph's father, who was the first Patriarch of the Church.

"Now behold..." This is the way that many sections of the D and C are begun. Now behold, or attention everyone, or listen to what the Savior has to say, etc. Now behold...

"A marvelous work..." If you check out the reference of these words, you will understand that is a very significant statement. A wonderful, marvelous, hard to totally understand, etc. This is a work of the last dispensation on the earth. This is something everyone should hear. This marvelous work (1 Nephi) will be everlasting and help in Eternal Life, or it will be a deliverance down into captivity.

This marvelous work would be the restoration of the fullness of the gospel. This work is "about to come forth.." Father knew that in fourteen months, the church would be restored. He knew the role Joseph would play in this work. This was all determined before the foundations of this earth.

I can imagine the excitement that Father in Heaven must have felt to see finally, after hundreds of years of darkness, the fullness of the gospel was going to be again restored to the earth to benefit all of His children. A marvelous work is coming to everyone. "..is about to come forth among the children of men."

This "work" will either open the eyes of the honest in heart, or it will send those who will not listen to darkness, or continued darkness, for the world existed in darkness for many years before since fall of Christ's church after his advent on earth.

Can you appreciate the need to give this notice to Joseph's father since he was the chosen Patriarch?

If someone you trusted said to you, "get ready, a marvelous work is coming forth on the earth." Wouldn't you be excited?