All things bear record · Doctrine and Covenants

Doctrine and Covenants 20

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

His birth

The rise of the Church of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly organized and established agreeable to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April— Doctrine and Covenants 20:1

The Church dates its organization from the Savior's coming in the flesh, His birth.

AttestedExplicitname

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

  • the same event in D&C 21:3 — the year of your Lord eighteen hundred and thirty

Church bearing His name

The rise of the Church of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly organized and established agreeable to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April— Doctrine and Covenants 20:1

The restored Church bears Christ's name, as He said His Church must (the chapter repeats 'church of Christ' in vv. 38, 61, 68, 70, 71, 80, 81).

AttestedExplicitcovenant_name

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

Jesus Christ

Which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, Jun., who was called of God, and ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first elder of this church; Doctrine and Covenants 20:2–3

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery are apostles, special witnesses sent by Jesus Christ.

AttestedExplicitname

How we know: the verse itself names Him

Grace of Christ

And this according to the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be all glory, both now and forever. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 20:4

The Church was organized by Christ's grace, and all glory is given to Him.

AttestedExplicitTeaching about Him

How we know: the verse itself names Him

Jesus Christ

Which contains a record of a fallen people, and the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also; Doctrine and Covenants 20:9

The Book of Mormon holds the fulness of Christ's gospel for both Gentiles and Jews.

AttestedExplicitname

How we know: the verse itself names Him

  • the same title in D&C 19:27 — my word to the Gentile, that soon it may go to the Jew

The same yesterday, today, and forever

Thereby showing that he is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 20:12

The wording echoes Hebrews' testimony that Jesus Christ never changes, here applied to the God who still calls prophets.

A readingEchoAn echo of Himthe Father or the Son
  • alludes to Hebrews 13:8 — Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever
  • alludes to Mormon 9:9 — God is the same yesterday, today, and forever

Only Begotten Son

Only Begotten — the only child of the Father in the flesh

Wherefore, the Almighty God gave his Only Begotten Son, as it is written in those scriptures which have been given of him. Doctrine and Covenants 20:21

Because mankind fell, the Father gave His Only Begotten Son to redeem us.

AttestedExplicitA title of Christ

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

  • alludes to John 3:16 — God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son

His sinless life

He suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them. Doctrine and Covenants 20:22

'He' is the Only Begotten Son: He was tempted in every way but never gave in.

AttestedExplicitA pronoun that refers to Him

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • alludes to Hebrews 4:15 — in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin
  • alludes to Mosiah 15:5 — suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not

Crucifixion

He was crucified, died, and rose again the third day; Doctrine and Covenants 20:23

The Church's founding statement testifies that Jesus was crucified and truly died.

AttestedExplicitTeaching about Him

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

Resurrection

He was crucified, died, and rose again the third day; Doctrine and Covenants 20:23

Jesus rose from the dead on the third day.

AttestedExplicitTeaching about Him

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

Ascension

And ascended into heaven, to sit down on the right hand of the Father, to reign with almighty power according to the will of the Father; Doctrine and Covenants 20:24

The risen Christ ascended and reigns at the Father's right hand.

AttestedExplicitTeaching about Him

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • the same event in Mark 16:19 — received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God
  • the same event in Moroni 7:27 — ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God

Doctrine of Christ

That as many as would believe and be baptized in his holy name, and endure in faith to the end, should be saved— Doctrine and Covenants 20:25

Salvation comes by believing in Christ, being baptized in His name, and enduring in faith.

A readingExplicitTeaching about Him
  • alludes to Mark 16:16 — He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved
  • alludes to 2 Nephi 31:15-16 — endure to the end, the same shall be saved

All prophets testified of Christ

Not only those who believed after he came in the meridian of time, in the flesh, but all those from the beginning, even as many as were before he came, who believed in the words of the holy prophets, who spake as they were inspired by the gift of the Holy Ghost, who truly testified of him in all things, should have eternal life, Doctrine and Covenants 20:26

A key for reading all scripture: the prophets from the beginning testified of Christ in all things, and those before His birth were saved by faith in Him too. This is why the Old Testament can be searched for Him.

AttestedExplicitinterpretive_key

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • alludes to Jacob 7:11 — none of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ
  • alludes to Acts 10:43 — To him give all the prophets witness
  • alludes to Jacob 4:4-5 — we knew of Christ many hundred years before his coming

The Son

As well as those who should come after, who should believe in the gifts and callings of God by the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and of the Son; Doctrine and Covenants 20:27

The Holy Ghost's work is to bear witness of the Father and the Son.

A readingExplicitA title of Christthe Holy Ghost testifying of the Son
  • alludes to 2 Nephi 31:18 — the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son
  • alludes to 3 Nephi 11:32 — the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me

The Son in the Godhead

Which Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 20:28

The Son is one with the Father and the Holy Ghost, united in purpose as one Godhead.

AttestedExplicitA title of Christ

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • alludes to 2 Nephi 31:21 — the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God
  • alludes to 3 Nephi 11:27 — the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one

Faith in Christ

And we know that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God. Doctrine and Covenants 20:29

Salvation requires faith in the name of Jesus Christ and worshiping the Father in His name.

AttestedExplicitTeaching about Him

How we know: the verse itself names Him

Grace of Christ

And we know that justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true; Doctrine and Covenants 20:30–31

Through Christ's grace we are justified (declared clean) and sanctified (made holy).

AttestedExplicitTeaching about Him

How we know: the verse itself names Him

Taking His name

And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church. Doctrine and Covenants 20:37

Those baptized covenant to take Christ's name and serve Him to the end.

AttestedExplicitcovenant_name

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

  • alludes to Moroni 6:2-3 — willing to take upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end
  • alludes to Mosiah 18:8-10 — baptism as a covenant to serve him

Sacrament

And to administer bread and wine—the emblems of the flesh and blood of Christ— Doctrine and Covenants 20:40

The text calls the bread and wine emblems of Christ's flesh and blood; the sacrament points to His sacrifice.

AttestedExplicitdeclared_similitude

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

  • alludes to Luke 22:19-20 — this is my body... this cup is the new testament in my blood
  • alludes to 3 Nephi 18:7-11 — in remembrance of my body... of my blood

Christ

They are, however, to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ. Doctrine and Covenants 20:59

The purpose of every priesthood duty is to invite all to come unto Christ.

AttestedExplicitname

How we know: the verse itself names Him

  • alludes to Moroni 10:32 — come unto Christ, and be perfected in him
  • alludes to Omni 1:26 — come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel

Blessing in His name

Every member of the church of Christ having children is to bring them unto the elders before the church, who are to lay their hands upon them in the name of Jesus Christ, and bless them in his name. Doctrine and Covenants 20:70

Children are blessed in Christ's name, as He Himself took children and blessed them.

AttestedExplicitcovenant_name

How we know: the verse itself names Him

  • alludes to 3 Nephi 17:21 — he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them
  • alludes to Mark 10:16 — put his hands upon them, and blessed them

Authority from Jesus Christ

The person who is called of God and has authority from Jesus Christ to baptize, shall go down into the water with the person who has presented himself or herself for baptism, and shall say, calling him or her by name: Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 20:73

Baptism is performed by authority that comes from Jesus Christ, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

AttestedExplicitcovenant_name

How we know: the verse itself names Him

  • a parallel account in 3 Nephi 11:25 — Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you
  • alludes to Matthew 28:19 — baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost

Baptism as likeness of death and Resurrection

Then shall he immerse him or her in the water, and come forth again out of the water. Doctrine and Covenants 20:74

Going under the water and coming out again is a likeness of Christ's burial and Resurrection, and of rising to a new life in Him.

AttestedProphecy or typeAn ordinance that points to Him

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • interpreted by Romans 6:3-5 — buried with him by baptism... in the likeness of his resurrection
  • interpreted by D&C 128:12 — baptism by immersion in similitude of the resurrection of the dead

Sacrament

It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus; Doctrine and Covenants 20:75

The sacrament is taken often in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.

AttestedExplicitAn ordinance that points to Him

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

  • alludes to 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 — this do in remembrance of me
  • alludes to Moroni 6:6 — meet together oft, to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus

Sacrament bread

O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 20:77

The bread is eaten in remembrance of the body of the Son, given for us.

AttestedExplicitAn ordinance that points to Him

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

  • a parallel account in Moroni 4:3 — the same sacrament prayer on the bread
  • alludes to 3 Nephi 18:7 — in remembrance of my body

Taking His name

O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 20:77

Each week members witness they are willing to take Christ's name, always remember Him, and keep His commandments, with the promise of His Spirit.

AttestedExplicitcovenant_name

How we know: a Church study aid lists it

  • a parallel account in Moroni 4:3 — take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him

Sacrament wine

O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 20:79

The cup is taken in remembrance of the blood the Son shed for us in His Atonement.

AttestedExplicitAn ordinance that points to Him

How we know: a Church study aid lists it

  • a parallel account in Moroni 5:2 — the same sacrament prayer on the wine
  • alludes to 3 Nephi 18:11 — in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you