Doctrine and Covenants 1

Jesus Christ

Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together. Doctrine and Covenants 1:1–2

The Savior Himself opens the Doctrine and Covenants, calling the Church "my church." The one who dwells on high and sees all people is speaking directly to the whole world.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him

• the same event in D&C 1:38 — Same preface: His word, whether by His own voice or His servants', is the same.

Second Coming

Unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man. Doctrine and Covenants 1:10

Foretells the day the Lord comes again to judge each person by their works, using the measure they used on others.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him

• alludes to Revelation 22:12 — "I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."
• alludes to Matthew 7:1-2 — Jesus: "with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."

Second Coming

Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh; Doctrine and Covenants 1:12–14

A warning to prepare because the Lord is near. "The arm of the Lord" is a scriptural image of the Savior's power being shown, and those who refuse to hear Him are cut off, as Moses foretold of the prophet like him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 34:5 — "My sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea."
• alludes to Isaiah 53:1 — "To whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?" in the chapter about the suffering Messiah.
• alludes to Acts 3:22-23 — Peter applies Moses' prophet to Christ: whoever will not hear Him shall be destroyed from among the people.

Jesus Christ

Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments; Doctrine and Covenants 1:17

The Lord testifies that He Himself called Joseph Smith and spoke to him from heaven, because He foresaw the troubles of the last days.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

Savior of the World

Savior — the one who rescues and delivers from sin and death

But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world; Doctrine and Covenants 1:20

The Restoration's purpose is that ordinary people can speak in the name of the Lord, who is the Savior of the world. God the Lord and the Savior are named as the same Being.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in 1 John 4:14 — "The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world."

Jesus Christ

Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding. Doctrine and Covenants 1:24

The Savior declares His divinity and claims authorship of the revelations, even though they came through weak servants in their own language.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Atonement / Forgiveness

For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; Doctrine and Covenants 1:31–32

The Lord is perfectly holy and cannot excuse sin, yet He forgives everyone who repents. That "nevertheless" is the mercy His Atonement makes possible.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Alma 45:16 — Alma: "the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance."

Lord of Hosts

Lord of Hosts — Lord of the armies of heaven

And he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received; for my Spirit shall not always strive with man, saith the Lord of Hosts. Doctrine and Covenants 1:33

The speaker of this preface, Jesus Christ, calls Himself the Lord of Hosts, the Old Testament title of Jehovah, and repeats His words from Noah's day.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Genesis 6:3 — "My spirit shall not always strive with man."

Millennial Reign

For I am no respecter of persons, and will that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion. Doctrine and Covenants 1:35–36

Foretells that the Lord will come down to judge the wicked world and personally reign among His Saints.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in D&C 45:59 — "The Lord shall be in their midst... and he will be their king and their lawgiver."
• alludes to Isaiah 34:5 — Judgment coming down upon Idumea.

Jesus Christ

What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. Doctrine and Covenants 1:38

Jesus repeats what He said in His mortal ministry about His words outlasting heaven and earth, and teaches that His prophets' words carry His own authority.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 24:35 — "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

Jehovah

Jehovah — the LORD, the premortal name of Jesus Christ

For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 1:39

The preface closes with a testimony that the Lord who has been speaking is God, and that the Holy Ghost bears witness of it.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to 1 Kings 18:39 — Israel at Carmel: "The LORD, he is the God."