Doctrine and Covenants 103

Jesus Christ

Verily I say unto you, my friends, behold, I will give unto you a revelation and commandment, that you may know how to act in the discharge of your duties concerning the salvation and redemption of your brethren, who have been scattered on the land of Zion; Doctrine and Covenants 103:1–2

Christ addresses the elders as "my friends," the same word He used for His disciples in mortality, and gives them a revelation for redeeming their scattered brethren.

• alludes to John 15:14-15 — "Ye are my friends... I have called you friends."
• the same title in D&C 84:63 — "Ye are mine apostles... ye are my friends."

Millennial Reign

But verily I say unto you, that I have decreed a decree which my people shall realize, inasmuch as they hearken from this very hour unto the counsel which I, the Lord their God, shall give unto them. Doctrine and Covenants 103:5–7

The Lord their God promises that obedient Saints will prevail until every kingdom of the world is put under His feet and the earth is given to the Saints. This is Christ's final triumph and reign.

• alludes to 1 Corinthians 15:25 — "He must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet."
• alludes to Daniel 7:27 — The kingdom given to the saints of the most High.
• alludes to Revelation 11:15 — The kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.

Savior

For they were set to be a light unto the world, and to be the saviors of men; Doctrine and Covenants 103:9–10

Christ, the Light of the World and Savior, calls His covenant people to be lights and "saviors of men," helping others come to Him. He repeats His own salt and light teaching.

• quotes Matthew 5:13-14 — Salt that has lost its savour; ye are the light of the world.
• alludes to Obadiah 1:21 — "Saviours shall come up on mount Zion."
• the same title in D&C 101:39-40 — The same salt teaching three months earlier.

Jehovah

Jehovah — the self-existent, eternal I AM

For ye are the children of Israel, and of the seed of Abraham, and ye must needs be led out of bondage by power, and with a stretched-out arm. Doctrine and Covenants 103:17–20

The speaker says He is the one who spoke to ancient Israel in the wilderness and led them out of Egypt with a stretched-out arm. The Lord of the Restoration is Jehovah of the Exodus, and this time He promises His own presence will go with His people.

• quotes Exodus 33:2-3 — "I will send an angel before thee... for I will not go up in the midst of thee."
• alludes to Exodus 33:14 — "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest."
• alludes to Exodus 6:6 — "I will redeem you with a stretched out arm."
• the same title in D&C 110:3-4 — Jehovah appears in the Kirtland Temple as the one who was slain.

Lord of the Vineyard

Verily, verily I say unto you, that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., is the man to whom I likened the servant to whom the Lord of the vineyard spake in the parable which I have given unto you. Doctrine and Covenants 103:21–22

The Lord interprets His own parable: Joseph Smith is the servant, so the Lord of the vineyard who sends him is Christ. Verse 22 echoes the parable's charge to gather "the strength of my house."

• interprets D&C 101:44-62 — Parable of the nobleman and the tower.
• alludes to D&C 101:55 — "Take all the strength of mine house... my young men, and they that are of middle age."

Jehovah

And my presence shall be with you even in avenging me of mine enemies, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me. Doctrine and Covenants 103:26

The Lord uses the words Jehovah spoke from Sinai in the Ten Commandments, again showing that He is the God who gave the law to Moses.

• quotes Exodus 20:5 — "Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me."

Jesus Christ

Let no man be afraid to lay down his life for my sake; for whoso layeth down his life for my sake shall find it again. Doctrine and Covenants 103:27–28

Christ repeats His mortal call to discipleship: losing your life for His sake means finding it. The Savior who laid down His own life asks His disciples to be willing to do the same.

• quotes Matthew 10:39 — "He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."
• alludes to Luke 14:26-27 — Whoever will not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
• alludes to John 10:17-18 — Christ lays down His life that He might take it again.

Christ's Mortal Teaching

Behold this is my will; ask and ye shall receive; but men do not always do my will. Doctrine and Covenants 103:31

The Lord repeats His own promise "ask, and ye shall receive" (again in verse 35), inviting the Saints to pray for what they need to redeem Zion.

• quotes Matthew 7:7 — "Ask, and it shall be given you."
• quotes John 16:24 — "Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."