Doctrine and Covenants 35

Alpha and Omega

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

Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever. Doctrine and Covenants 35:1

Christ is the beginning and the end of all things; nothing is before or beyond Him.

How we know: the verse itself 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 Revelation 22:13 — Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.

Jesus Christ — the same yesterday, today, and forever

Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever. Doctrine and Covenants 35:1

Christ does not change; He can be trusted to be the same God in every age.

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

• alludes to Hebrews 13:8 — Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
• alludes to 1 Nephi 10:19 — The course of the Lord is one eternal round.

Jesus Christ

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One

I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one. Doctrine and Covenants 35:2

The Savior declares His name.

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

• the same title in D&C 36:8 — 'I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God.'

Son of God

Son of God — the literal Son of Heavenly Father

I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one. Doctrine and Covenants 35:2

Jesus testifies that He is the Son of God.

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

• the same title in D&C 36:8 — Same self-declaration.

Crucifixion

I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one. Doctrine and Covenants 35:2

Christ testifies that He was crucified for the sins of the world, blessing all who believe on His name.

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

• alludes to 1 Nephi 11:33 — Nephi sees the Lamb lifted up on the cross and slain for the sins of the world.

One in Christ as He is one with the Father

I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one. Doctrine and Covenants 35:2

Through His Atonement believers become God's children and are united with Christ as He is united with His Father.

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

• alludes to John 17:21 — That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee.

The Lord whose way is prepared

Thou art blessed, for thou shalt do great things. Behold thou wast sent forth, even as John, to prepare the way before me, and before Elijah which should come, and thou knewest it not. Doctrine and Covenants 35:4

Christ is the Lord before whom a forerunner prepares the way, as Malachi prophesied and John the Baptist fulfilled; Sidney had unknowingly done a similar work.

• alludes to Malachi 3:1 — My messenger shall prepare the way before me.
• alludes to Matthew 11:10 — Jesus applies Malachi 3:1 to John the Baptist.

Jehovah — His arm not shortened

For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name. Doctrine and Covenants 35:8–9

Christ speaks Isaiah's words about Jehovah's power as His own and promises miracles to those who believe on His name.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Isaiah 59:1 — The LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save.
• alludes to Mark 16:17-18 — Signs that follow them that believe, in my name.
• alludes to Matthew 11:5 — The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the deaf hear.

Jehovah — shield and buckler

And their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield and their buckler; and I will gird up their loins, and they shall fight manfully for me; and their enemies shall be under their feet; and I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them. Doctrine and Covenants 35:14

Christ uses the Psalms' imagery of Jehovah as protector to promise He will defend His weak servants.

• alludes to Psalm 91:4 — His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Second Coming

And the poor and the meek shall have the gospel preached unto them, and they shall be looking forth for the time of my coming, for it is nigh at hand— Doctrine and Covenants 35:15–16

Christ says His coming is near and points to His own parable of the fig tree for reading the signs.

• alludes to Matthew 24:32-33 — Parable of the fig tree: summer is nigh.

True Vine

And I have given unto him the keys of the mystery of those things which have been sealed, even things which were from the foundation of the world, and the things which shall come from this time until the time of my coming, if he abide in me, and if not, another will I plant in his stead. Doctrine and Covenants 35:18

Joseph keeps his keys only by abiding in Christ, like a branch that must abide in the vine.

• alludes to John 15:4-6 — Abide in me; a branch that abides not is cast forth.

Second Coming

For they will hear my voice, and shall see me, and shall not be asleep, and shall abide the day of my coming; for they shall be purified, even as I am pure. Doctrine and Covenants 35:21

His elect will see Christ and endure the day of His coming because they will be made pure like Him.

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

• alludes to Malachi 3:2 — Who may abide the day of his coming?
• alludes to 1 John 3:2-3 — We shall see him; purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Second Coming

Lift up your hearts and be glad, your redemption draweth nigh. Doctrine and Covenants 35:26–27

The Good Shepherd comforts His little flock: redemption is near and He is coming soon.

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

• quotes Luke 21:28 — Your redemption draweth nigh.
• alludes to Luke 12:32 — Fear not, little flock.
• alludes to Revelation 22:20 — 'Surely I come quickly.'