Below is an email and response from a Great Niece.
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Hey Uncle Craig! It's been awhile since I've asked ya a question but I have one. What is the doctrine in companion ships? Why is it so crucial to have 2 missionaries? I know that the witness of 2 is great but is there any other info You can give me?
Brit
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Britney,
If I’m understanding you’re question, it has two parts. Why do missionaries, home-teachers, visiting-teachers etc. go out in two’s and what is taught about having more than one person in the teaching or learning process.
1. As you intimated from your question there is protection by going out in two’s. “For out of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” See Deuteronomy 19:15 & Matthew 18:16 When you are working in any capacity that may be questioned or where you may need a witness having more than one person with you provides an “alibi”, a witness or additional testimony of the truth. You do not have that with only one person. In the Church and in any setting where the need to know something was performed accurately, another witness is necessary. You will notice this in the work of the Lord such as: at a baptism, a marriage or in Temple work performed. We always have two witnesses. See D&C 128:3, you saw that when you were sealed. Remember the two witnesses? Actually, with the sealer or in many ordinances it makes three.
2. The other part of your question for having two witnesses deals with the Spirit.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (New Testament | Matthew 18:20 KJV)
When we search for the truth the Lord grants an added portion of the Spirit when we have more than one in the search. (See Luke 24:13–15) Another benefit of having an additional person is to bounce ideas, thoughts and questions off of. This gives opportunities and thought processes that one person will not think of. This is another reason why we have Presidencies, Bishoprics, Quorum groups and leaderships. See also 2 Corinthians 13:1 Do you remember the Church speaking of “the power of 3?” Do you remember how many times Moroni came to Joseph Smith the night he told him of the plates? See Joseph Smith History verses 27-54. Another little side note about visions and revelations Prophets receive. When they are taught doctrine, whatever the situation, the Lord or the angel bearing the news, always quotes Scripture! This is another or the second witness that what is being taught is the truth.
A side note to all of this, one you will see shortly is in raising families. You will see how two witnesses bear confirmation to your children. When the two of you are united in your efforts things between your kids will be resolved almost immediately. Plus when the two of you are working out problems, you will find that you come from different backgrounds and thinking processes, and that difference will help you discover solutions and answers. It will help you also communicate differently to your children when one of you may not make the connection. Because each of us sees things differently, ideas you never thought of will come up. The Lord was so inspired having husbands and wives to raise families. I cannot tell you how many times I thought one way and Bonnie another. Our viewpoints are so different. That is the case with most families. Backgrounds, thought processes, etc. bring insights to issues not thought of by a single individual or even by people of the same gender. This works in Ward Councils too. It is so effective when it is used properly. OK back on point.
Another blessing the Lord has promised, “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19 KJV) Notice this is the same group or paragraph of Scriptures where the Lord is talking about where two or three are gathered together in His name. In another verse the Lord said,
28 And now, behold, I give unto you, and also unto my servant Joseph, the keys of this gift, which shall bring to light this ministry; and in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
29 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if they reject my words, and this part of my gospel and ministry, blessed are ye, for they can do no more unto you than unto me.
30 And even if they do unto you even as they have done unto me, blessed are ye, for you shall dwell with me in glory.
31 But if they reject not my words, which shall be established by the testimony which shall be given, blessed are they, and then shall ye have joy in the fruit of your labors.
32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you.
(Doctrine and Covenants 6:28–32)
I hadn’t planned on this being more than a page. I need to add a few more Scriptures. You will have read and heard this quoted to you as a missionary many times. You may not have thought of it in this way. When we are gathered together we bind ourselves to action. Notice how the Lord explains it in these verses.
8 And now, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given.
9 And thus ye shall become instructed in the law of my church, and be sanctified by that which ye have received, and ye shall bind yourselves to act in all holiness before me--
10 That inasmuch as ye do this, glory shall be added to the kingdom which ye have received. Inasmuch as ye do it not, it shall be taken, even that which ye have received.
(Doctrine and Covenants 43:8–10)
Thanks for the questions!
Craig
Additional Scriptures and Insights:
9 And Ammon said unto her: Believest thou this? And she said unto him: I have had no witness save thy word, and the word of our servants; nevertheless I believe that it shall be according as thou hast said.
(Book of Mormon | Alma 19:9)
Alma was alone, then the Lord sent him Amulek and they were filled with the Spirit doing many mighty works.
30 And Alma went forth, and also Amulek, among the people, to declare the words of God unto them; and they were filled with the Holy Ghost.
(Book of Mormon | Alma 8:30)
Notice how in these instances it bound them to action.
More than one Witness
12 And now, when Amulek had spoken these words the people began to be astonished, seeing there was more than one witness who testified of the things whereof they were accused, and also of the things which were to come, according to the spirit of prophecy which was in them.
(Book of Mormon | Alma 10:12)
Two disciples speaking and discussing the events of Christ crucifixion:
13 ¶ And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
(New Testament | Luke 24:13–15 KJV)
The Testimony of the Witnessesof the Book of
The Book of Mormon IntroductionWeblink: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/introduction?lang=eng
The Testimony of the Three WitnessesWeblink: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/three?lang=eng
The Testimony of the Eight WitnessesWeblink: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1?lang=engWeblink: https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-lorenzo-snow/chapter-14-with-god-all-things-are-possible?query=Jesus%20himself%20could%20not%20without%20divine%20aid%20from%20His%20Father%20accomplish%20His%20work&lang=eng
Additional help required of us all. Even the Savior needed help from the Father.
God has promised to help us in our personal efforts to live the gospel.
In and of ourselves we cannot possibly comply with all the commandments that God has given unto us. Jesus himself could not without divine aid from His Father accomplish His work. He said on one occasion, “I can of mine own self do nothing, as I hear I judge and my judgment is just because I seek not my own will but the will of the Father who sent me.” [John 5:30.] And we, if it was necessary for Him, our Lord, to have divine assistance, will find it all the more important to receive His assistance. And in every circumstance and condition surrounding the Latter-day Saints, while in the performance of their duties, they are entitled to supernatural aid from the Holy Spirit, to help in the various conditions surrounding them, and in the duties that they are required to perform.
… I cannot imagine anything that is so vastly important as to work for and obtain one’s own individual exaltation and glory. That undoubtedly is one great purpose for which we came into the world. … No man or woman should be discouraged when they feel that they cannot complete what they would like to perform, but we all should do what we can toward carrying out the grand work for which we are here.9
The character of the religion that we have espoused demands a certain course of conduct that no other religion that we know of requires of its adherents; and the nature of those demands upon us [is] such that no person can comply with them, unless by assistance from the Almighty. It is necessary that we comprehend, at least in part, the great and important blessings that we are to derive, eventually, by complying with the requirements of the religion or gospel that we have received. The sacrifices that are required of us are of that nature that no man or woman could make them, unless aided by a supernatural power; and the Lord, in proposing these conditions, never intended that his people should ever be required to comply with them unless by supernatural aid, and of that kind that is not professed by any other class of religious people. He has promised this aid. …
End quote from Lorenzo Snow - Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, 2011
Chapter 14 “With God All Things are Possible”, pages 178-9
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