Deuteronomy 26

Firstfruits

That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there. Deuteronomy 26:2

The first and best of the harvest was carried to the Lord's house as a pledge that the whole harvest would follow. Christ is the firstfruits of them that slept: His Resurrection is the first sheaf of a great harvest of resurrected souls.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in 1 Corinthians 15:20 — 'now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.'
• a type of what is in 2 Nephi 2:9 — Of the Holy Messiah (v8): 'he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men.'
• a parallel account in Exodus 23:19 — 'The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God' (footnote note2_a).

Jehovah the Deliverer from Egypt

Jehovah — the covenant name, 'I AM', the premortal Christ

And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression: Deuteronomy 26:7–9

Every Israelite bringing firstfruits had to say aloud that Jehovah heard their cry and brought them out with an outstretched arm. That Deliverer is the premortal Christ; King Benjamin says the signs and wonders of that deliverance were shown concerning His coming.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him · a traditional type, cited

• alludes to Exodus 3:7-8 — 'I have surely seen the affliction of my people ... and I am come down to deliver them' — the LORD's answer to the cry this confession recalls.
• interpreted by Mosiah 3:15 — 'many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows showed he unto them, concerning his coming' — the Lord Omnipotent's own signs to Israel read as pointing to Christ (footnote note8_b).

Firstfruits

And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God: Deuteronomy 26:10

The worshipper sets the firstfruits down before the LORD and worships. The offering points to Christ, the firstfruits presented to God as the promise of our own resurrection.

How we know: a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in 1 Corinthians 15:23 — 'every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.'

Jehovah and His peculiar people

Jehovah — the covenant name, 'I AM', the premortal Christ

Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice: Deuteronomy 26:17–18

Israel and Jehovah bind themselves to each other: they declare Him their God, and He declares them His treasured people. The New Testament gives that same phrase to those whom Jesus Christ purified for Himself by His own life.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him · a traditional type, cited

• alluded to by Titus 2:13-14 — 'our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might ... purify unto himself a peculiar people.'
• alluded to by 1 Peter 2:9 — 'ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.'