Doctrine and Covenants 121

Creator

Maker of heaven and earth — the one by whom all things were created

O Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven, earth, and seas, and of all things that in them are, and who controllest and subjectest the devil, and the dark and benighted dominion of Sheol—stretch forth thy hand; let thine eye pierce; let thy pavilion be taken up; let thy hiding place no longer be covered; let thine ear be inclined; let thine heart be softened, and thy bowels moved with compassion toward us. Doctrine and Covenants 121:4

Joseph cries out to the Lord God Almighty as the Maker of all things who has power over the devil. Latter-day Saints teach that Jesus Christ created the heavens and the earth under the Father's direction, so the Lord Joseph prays to here fits the premortal Christ, though the prayer does not separate Father and Son.

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

• the same title in Mosiah 3:8 — Jesus Christ called 'the Creator of all things from the beginning'.
• the same title in John 1:3 — All things were made by the Word, who is Christ.
• alludes to Acts 4:24 — The early Saints under persecution pray to the 'Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is'.

The Lord answering Joseph (Jesus Christ)

My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–8

The Lord answers Joseph's prayer, calling him 'My son' and giving him peace. In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord who speaks is Jesus Christ, who told His disciples that in Him they would have peace even in tribulation.

• alludes to John 16:33 — 'In me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer.'
• alludes to John 14:27 — 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.'
• the same event in D&C 122:7-8 — The same Liberty Jail answer continues: 'know thou, my son,' and points Joseph to the Son of Man.

The Lord speaking (Jesus Christ)

Cursed are all those that shall lift up the heel against mine anointed, saith the Lord, and cry they have sinned when they have not sinned before me, saith the Lord, but have done that which was meet in mine eyes, and which I commanded them. Doctrine and Covenants 121:16

The Lord speaks in the first person ('saith the Lord', 'before me', 'which I commanded them') in defense of His prophet and leaders. 'Mine anointed' here means His servants, but the voice defending them is Christ's.

• alludes to Psalm 105:15 — 'Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.'

Jesus' millstone saying

Wo unto them; because they have offended my little ones they shall be severed from the ordinances of mine house. Doctrine and Covenants 121:19–22

These words echo what Jesus Himself said about anyone who offends His 'little ones'. The same Lord repeats His own warning, now against those who persecuted the Saints.

• alludes to Matthew 18:6 — Jesus: whoso offends one of these little ones, better that a millstone were hanged about his neck and he drowned in the depth of the sea.
• alludes to Luke 17:2 — Jesus' parallel millstone warning about offending little ones.

Lord of Hosts

Lord of Hosts — Lord of the armies of heaven

Wo unto all those that discomfort my people, and drive, and murder, and testify against them, saith the Lord of Hosts; a generation of vipers shall not escape the damnation of hell. Doctrine and Covenants 121:23–24

The speaker calls Himself the Lord of Hosts, a title of Jehovah, and promises that He sees every wrong and will judge. Latter-day Saints understand Jehovah, the Lord of Hosts, to be Jesus Christ, to whom the Father has given all judgment.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to John 5:22 — The Father has committed all judgment unto the Son.
• alludes to Matthew 23:33 — Jesus: 'Ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?' echoed in verse 23.

Jesus Christ

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One

All thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, shall be revealed and set forth upon all who have endured valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Doctrine and Covenants 121:29

The great revelations of the last days are promised to those who are valiant for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Being valiant in the testimony of Jesus is what qualifies a person for the highest glory.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• the same title in D&C 76:79 — Those not 'valiant in the testimony of Jesus' do not obtain the crown.

Jesus' words to Saul

Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God. Doctrine and Covenants 121:38

'Kick against the pricks' is what the risen Jesus said to Saul, who was persecuting the Saints. A priesthood holder who loses the Spirit ends up doing what Saul did: fighting against Christ by persecuting His people.

• alludes to Acts 9:5 — 'I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.'
• alludes to Acts 26:14 — Paul retells the Lord's words, 'it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.'

Christ's scepter and everlasting dominion

The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever. Doctrine and Covenants 121:46

The scepter of righteousness and the everlasting dominion are words the Bible uses for the Son's kingdom. The faithful priesthood holder who leads by love, as Christ does, is promised to share in the kind of rule Christ Himself has.

• alludes to Hebrews 1:8 — 'Unto the Son he saith ... a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.'
• alludes to Psalm 45:6 — 'The sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre', applied to the Son in Hebrews 1:8.
• alludes to Daniel 7:14 — The Son of man is given 'an everlasting dominion'.