Doctrine and Covenants 19

Alpha and Omega

Alpha and Omega — first and last letters of the Greek alphabet: the beginning and the end

I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord; yea, even I am he, the beginning and the end, the Redeemer of the world. Doctrine and Covenants 19:1

Christ is the beginning and the end; everything in the plan of salvation starts and finishes with Him.

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

• the same title in Revelation 1:8 — I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending
• the same title in 3 Nephi 9:18 — I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek; Hebrew Messiah)

I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord; yea, even I am he, the beginning and the end, the Redeemer of the world. Doctrine and Covenants 19:1

The speaker names Himself Christ the Lord, the title the angels announced at His birth.

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

• the same title in Luke 2:11 — a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord

Redeemer of the World

Redeemer — one who buys back and frees

I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord; yea, even I am he, the beginning and the end, the Redeemer of the world. Doctrine and Covenants 19:1

Christ is not only Martin's Redeemer but the Redeemer of the whole world.

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

• the same title in 1 Nephi 10:5 — the Redeemer of the world

Atonement

I, having accomplished and finished the will of him whose I am, even the Father, concerning me—having done this that I might subdue all things unto myself— Doctrine and Covenants 19:2

Christ testifies that He completed everything the Father asked of Him, and so has power to subdue all things.

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

• alludes to John 17:4 — I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do
• alludes to John 19:30 — It is finished

Christ the Judge

Retaining all power, even to the destroying of Satan and his works at the end of the world, and the last great day of judgment, which I shall pass upon the inhabitants thereof, judging every man according to his works and the deeds which he hath done. Doctrine and Covenants 19:3–5

Christ Himself will judge every person according to their works at the last day.

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

• alludes to John 5:22 — the Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son
• alludes to Matthew 25:31-33 — the goats on his left hand

Endless (a name of God)

Endless / Eternal — names of God; 'endless punishment' means God's punishment, not punishment without end

For, behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it! For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore— Doctrine and Covenants 19:10–12

Christ reveals that Endless and Eternal are His names, so 'endless punishment' describes whose punishment it is. This opens the mystery that suffering for sin need not last forever for those who repent.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Moses 1:3 — Endless is my name
• the same title in Moses 7:35 — Endless and Eternal is my name, also

Rod of His mouth

Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. Doctrine and Covenants 19:15

Christ uses of Himself Isaiah's words about the Messiah who smites the earth with the rod of His mouth, showing He is that promised King and Judge.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Isaiah 11:4 — he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth
• alludes to D&C 113:1-2 — the Stem of Jesse is Christ

Atonement

For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–17

Christ testifies He suffered for everyone so that those who repent do not have to suffer for their own sins.

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

• alludes to Alma 34:15-16 — mercy satisfies justice for those who have faith unto repentance
• the same event in D&C 18:11 — he suffered the pain of all men

Gethsemane

Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— Doctrine and Covenants 19:18–19

The only first-person description in scripture of what Jesus felt in Gethsemane: He trembled, bled at every pore, and wished not to drink the bitter cup, yet gave glory to the Father and finished it.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Luke 22:42-44 — not my will; sweat as great drops of blood
• fulfils Mosiah 3:7 — blood cometh from every pore
• the same event in 3 Nephi 11:11 — I have drunk out of that bitter cup
• the same event in Matthew 26:39 — let this cup pass from me

Peace in Christ

Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me. Doctrine and Covenants 19:23

Christ invites us to learn of Him and promises peace found in Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 11:29 — learn of me; for I am meek
• alludes to John 16:33 — that in me ye might have peace

Jesus Christ

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One

I am Jesus Christ; I came by the will of the Father, and I do his will. Doctrine and Covenants 19:24

The Savior names Himself and testifies that He came and acts by the Father's will.

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

• alludes to John 6:38 — I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me
• the same title in 3 Nephi 11:10-11 — I am Jesus Christ... suffered the will of the Father

Messiah

Messiah — the Anointed One

Which is my word to the Gentile, that soon it may go to the Jew, of whom the Lamanites are a remnant, that they may believe the gospel, and look not for a Messiah to come who has already come. Doctrine and Covenants 19:27

The Book of Mormon will help the Jews see that the promised Messiah has already come: He is Jesus.

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

• alludes to 2 Nephi 25:18 — there is save one Messiah spoken of by the prophets
• alludes to 2 Nephi 6:14 — when they come to believe in him... the Messiah

Savior

Savior — one who rescues

And of tenets thou shalt not talk, but thou shalt declare repentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism, and by fire, yea, even the Holy Ghost. Doctrine and Covenants 19:31

Martin is to preach the doctrine of Christ: faith on the Savior, repentance, baptism, and the Holy Ghost.

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

• alludes to 2 Nephi 31:13 — baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost
• alludes to 3 Nephi 11:32-35 — this is my doctrine

Hosanna

Hosanna — 'save now, we pray'

And speak freely to all; yea, preach, exhort, declare the truth, even with a loud voice, with a sound of rejoicing, crying—Hosanna, hosanna, blessed be the name of the Lord God! Doctrine and Covenants 19:37

The shout of praise echoes the crowds welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem and the Nephites greeting the risen Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 21:9 — Hosanna to the Son of David
• alludes to 3 Nephi 11:17 — Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God

Savior

Savior — one who rescues

Or canst thou be humble and meek, and conduct thyself wisely before me? Yea, come unto me thy Savior. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 19:41

Christ ends with a personal invitation to Martin Harris to come to Him as his Savior.

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

• alludes to Matthew 11:28 — Come unto me, all ye that labour