All things bear record · Doctrine and Covenants

Doctrine and Covenants 33

3 witnesses of Christ here, and 5 further echoes from the reading.

Jesus Christ — the Lord whose word is a two-edged sword

Behold, I say unto you, my servants Ezra and Northrop, open ye your ears and hearken to the voice of the Lord your God, whose word is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of the joints and marrow, soul and spirit; and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Doctrine and Covenants 33:1

The Lord God who speaks, Jesus Christ, describes His word with Hebrews' image of a two-edged sword that sees into the heart.

A readingExplicitHe speaks in the first person
  • quotes Hebrews 4:12 — Quick, powerful, sharper than any twoedged sword, discerner of thoughts and intents.
  • alludes to Revelation 1:16 — Out of the glorified Christ's mouth went a sharp twoedged sword.

Lord of the Vineyard

For behold, the field is white already to harvest; and it is the eleventh hour, and the last time that I shall call laborers into my vineyard. Doctrine and Covenants 33:3–4

Christ speaks as the Lord of the vineyard who calls laborers in the eleventh hour, for the last time, to a corrupted vineyard.

A readingProphecy or typeallegory_parable
  • alludes to Jacob 5:71 — Laborers called to work with the Lord of the vineyard for the last time.
  • alludes to Matthew 20:6 — Laborers hired at the eleventh hour.

Gatherer of His elect

And even so will I gather mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, even as many as will believe in me, and hearken unto my voice. Doctrine and Covenants 33:6

Christ Himself gathers from all the earth those who believe in Him and hear His voice.

A readingExplicitHe speaks in the first person
  • alludes to Matthew 24:31 — His elect gathered from the four winds.

Preparing the way of the Lord

Yea, open your mouths and they shall be filled, saying: Repent, repent, and prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; Doctrine and Covenants 33:10

John the Baptist's cry prepared for Christ's first coming; missionaries now use the same words to prepare for His second coming.

A readingProphecy or typeA prophecy of Him
  • quotes Isaiah 40:3 — Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight ... a highway.
  • quotes Matthew 3:2-3 — John the Baptist: the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Doctrine of Christ

Yea, repent and be baptized, every one of you, for a remission of your sins; yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost. Doctrine and Covenants 33:11–12

Christ defines His gospel: faith in Him, repentance, baptism, and the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. No one is saved without faith in Him.

A readingExplicitTeaching about Him
  • alludes to 3 Nephi 27:13-21 — The risen Christ: 'this is my gospel.'
  • alludes to 2 Nephi 31:13 — Baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.
  • alludes to Acts 2:38 — Repent, and be baptized every one of you for the remission of sins.

Rock (His gospel)

And upon this rock I will build my church; yea, upon this rock ye are built, and if ye continue, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you. Doctrine and Covenants 33:13

Following v. 12 ('this is my gospel'), the rock the Church stands on is Christ's gospel; being built on it means the gates of hell cannot prevail.

AttestedProphecy or typeTeaching about Him

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

  • quotes Matthew 16:18 — Upon this rock I will build my church.
  • alludes to D&C 11:24 — Build upon my rock, which is my gospel.
  • alludes to Helaman 5:12 — The rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ.

Bridegroom

Bridegroom — Christ, who comes for His bride, the Church

Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom— Doctrine and Covenants 33:17

Using His parable of the ten virgins, Christ calls Himself the Bridegroom and asks His servants to be spiritually ready for His coming.

AttestedExplicitA title of Christ

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

  • alludes to Matthew 25:1-13 — Parable of the ten virgins and the Bridegroom.

Second Coming

For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that I come quickly. Even so. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 33:18

Christ promises that His coming is near.

AttestedExplicitA prophecy of Him

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