All things bear record · Doctrine and Covenants

Doctrine and Covenants 127

3 witnesses of Christ here, and 3 further echoes from the reading.

Jehovah

Jehovah — the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of Israel

And as for the perils which I am called to pass through, they seem but a small thing to me, as the envy and wrath of man have been my common lot all the days of my life; and for what cause it seems mysterious, unless I was ordained from before the foundation of the world for some good end, or bad, as you may choose to call it. Judge ye for yourselves. God knoweth all these things, whether it be good or bad. But nevertheless, deep water is what I am wont to swim in. It all has become a second nature to me; and I feel, like Paul, to glory in tribulation; for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth; for behold, and lo, I shall triumph over all my enemies, for the Lord God hath spoken it. Doctrine and Covenants 127:2–3

Joseph trusts 'the God of my fathers' and 'Israel's God', the titles of Jehovah, who delivered Israel and now delivers him. Latter-day Saints know Jehovah as the premortal Jesus Christ.

A readingJehovah — the LORDA title of Christ
  • the same title in Exodus 3:15 — The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Lord of Hosts

Lord of Hosts — Jehovah, commander of the armies of heaven

And again, verily thus saith the Lord: Let the work of my temple, and all the works which I have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease; and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience, and your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts. And if they persecute you, so persecuted they the prophets and righteous men that were before you. For all this there is a reward in heaven. Doctrine and Covenants 127:4

The words about the temple and baptism for the dead come from the Lord of Hosts, the Old Testament title of Jehovah, who is Jesus Christ. The same title seals vv. 8 and 9.

AttestedExplicitA title of Christ

How we know: the verse itself names Him

  • the same title in D&C 29:9 — The Lord of Hosts speaking in latter-day revelation.

Jesus Christ

And again, verily thus saith the Lord: Let the work of my temple, and all the works which I have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease; and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience, and your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts. And if they persecute you, so persecuted they the prophets and righteous men that were before you. For all this there is a reward in heaven. Doctrine and Covenants 127:4

The Lord comforts the persecuted Saints with His own Beatitude from the Sermon on the Mount.

A readingEchoAn echo of Him
  • alludes to Matthew 5:11-12 — Great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Jesus Christ

That in all your recordings it may be recorded in heaven; whatsoever you bind on earth, may be bound in heaven; whatsoever you loose on earth, may be loosed in heaven; Doctrine and Covenants 127:7

The Lord ties recording ordinances for the dead to the sealing power Jesus gave Peter.

A readingEchoAn echo of Him
  • quotes Matthew 16:19 — Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.

Savior

Savior — the One who saves His people from sin and death

I now close my letter for the present, for the want of more time; for the enemy is on the alert, and as the Savior said, the prince of this world cometh, but he hath nothing in me. Doctrine and Covenants 127:11

Joseph quotes 'the Savior', Jesus, who said Satan had no power over Him on the night before His death. Joseph uses Christ's words to face his own enemies.

AttestedExplicitA title of Christ

How we know: the verse itself names Him

  • quotes John 14:30 — 'The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.'

Jesus Christ

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One

Behold, my prayer to God is that you all may be saved. And I subscribe myself your servant in the Lord, prophet and seer of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Doctrine and Covenants 127:12

Joseph signs as prophet of the Church that bears the name of Jesus Christ, the name the Lord Himself gave His Church.

AttestedExplicitcovenant_name

How we know: the verse itself names Him

  • the same title in D&C 115:4 — The Lord names His Church The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  • alludes to 3 Nephi 27:7-8 — Christ's church must be called in His name.