Doctrine and Covenants 113

Stem of Jesse

Stem of Jesse — the stock or trunk of the family of Jesse, David's father; the royal Messiah descended from David

Who is the Stem of Jesse spoken of in the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th verses of the 11th chapter of Isaiah? Doctrine and Covenants 113:1–2

The Lord Himself answers that the Stem of Jesse in Isaiah 11 is Christ. So the righteous judge who rules with the Spirit of the Lord in Isaiah 11:1-5 is Jesus.

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

• interprets Isaiah 11:1-5 — Identifies Isaiah's Stem of Jesse as Christ.
• interprets 2 Nephi 21:1-5 — Nephi's copy of Isaiah 11.
• alludes to Joseph Smith—History 1:40 — Moroni quoted Isaiah 11 and said it was about to be fulfilled.

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

What is the rod spoken of in the first verse of the 11th chapter of Isaiah, that should come of the Stem of Jesse? Doctrine and Covenants 113:3–4

The rod that comes out of the Stem is a latter-day servant whom Christ holds in His hands and uses. The servant has power only because Christ directs him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• interprets Isaiah 11:1 — The rod out of the stem of Jesse.

Root of Jesse

Root of Jesse — one who springs from, and supports, the house of Jesse

What is the root of Jesse spoken of in the 10th verse of the 11th chapter? Doctrine and Covenants 113:5–6

Here the Lord identifies the root of Jesse as a latter-day servant holding priesthood keys to gather "my people." The New Testament calls Christ the Root of David, so the servant acts as an ensign under the true Root, Christ. This entry records the title, not a claim that this verse names Christ as the root.

• interprets Isaiah 11:10 — The root of Jesse which shall stand for an ensign.
• the same title in Romans 15:12 — Paul applies Isaiah's root of Jesse to Christ.
• the same title in Revelation 22:16 — Jesus: "I am the root and the offspring of David."

Jehovah

We are to understand that the scattered remnants are exhorted to return to the Lord from whence they have fallen; which if they do, the promise of the Lord is that he will speak to them, or give them revelation. See the 6th, 7th, and 8th verses. The bands of her neck are the curses of God upon her, or the remnants of Israel in their scattered condition among the Gentiles. Doctrine and Covenants 113:10

Scattered Israel is invited back to the Lord, who promises to speak to them again. Isaiah 52:6-8, which this points to, has the Lord saying "it is I" who speaks, and the Book of Mormon applies those verses to Christ.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• interprets Isaiah 52:6 — "They shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I."
• alludes to Mosiah 15:13-18 — Abinadi applies Isaiah 52:7 to the prophets and supremely to the Lord who publishes peace.