Doctrine and Covenants 39

Jesus Christ

Jesus (Yeshua) — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One

Hearken and listen to the voice of him who is from all eternity to all eternity, the Great I AM, even Jesus Christ— Doctrine and Covenants 39:1

The speaker names Himself as Jesus Christ, the One who has always existed and always 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

• the same title in D&C 38:1 — 'the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I AM.'

The Great I AM

I AM — the self-existent One; the covenant name revealed to Moses (Jehovah)

Hearken and listen to the voice of him who is from all eternity to all eternity, the Great I AM, even Jesus Christ— Doctrine and Covenants 39:1

Jesus Christ takes the name God gave Moses. It shows that the Jehovah of the Old Testament is Jesus Christ.

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 Exodus 3:14 — 'I AM THAT I AM.'
• the same title in D&C 38:1 — The same title in the preceding revelation.

The Light and the Life of the World

Light and Life of the world — the source of spiritual light and of all life

The light and the life of the world; a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not; Doctrine and Covenants 39:2

Christ is the light that shines in a dark world and the source of life. People in darkness often fail to understand or accept Him.

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

• quotes John 1:4-5 — 'the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.'
• the same title in John 8:12 — 'I am the light of the world.'
• the same title in D&C 10:70 — 'I am the light and the life of the world.'

Came in the meridian of time

The same which came in the meridian of time unto mine own, and mine own received me not; Doctrine and Covenants 39:3

Christ speaks of His mortal life. He came to His own people at the middle point of history, and many of them rejected Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes John 1:11 — 'He came unto his own, and his own received him not.'
• the same event in Moses 6:57 — Jesus Christ, who shall come in the meridian of time.

Power to become His sons

But to as many as received me, gave I power to become my sons; and even so will I give unto as many as will receive me, power to become my sons. Doctrine and Covenants 39:4

Those who receive Christ are born again as His sons and daughters. He gave that power in ancient times and He gives it now.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes John 1:12 — 'as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.'
• the same title in Mosiah 5:7 — 'ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters.'
• the same title in D&C 42:52 — 'believe in me, have power to become my sons.'

The Gospel of Christ

And verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth my gospel receiveth me; and he that receiveth not my gospel receiveth not me. Doctrine and Covenants 39:5–6

Christ defines His gospel in a few words: repent, be baptized by water, and receive the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. Receiving His gospel is the same as receiving Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in 3 Nephi 27:13-21 — The risen Christ: 'this is the gospel which I have given unto you.'
• the same title in 2 Nephi 31:17 — Repentance and baptism by water, then a remission of sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.
• alludes to Matthew 10:40 — 'He that receiveth you receiveth me.'

Calling on His name in baptism

But, behold, the days of thy deliverance are come, if thou wilt hearken to my voice, which saith unto thee: Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on my name, and you shall receive my Spirit, and a blessing so great as you never have known. Doctrine and Covenants 39:10

Christ calls James Covel to be baptized and to call on Christ's name, the same words Ananias spoke to Paul. Baptism washes away sins through His name.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Acts 22:16 — 'arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'

Lord of the Vineyard

Wherefore lay to with your might and call faithful laborers into my vineyard, that it may be pruned for the last time. Doctrine and Covenants 39:17

Christ calls the vineyard His own. That echoes Zenos's allegory, where the Lord of the vineyard prunes it one last time before the end, and Christ is that Lord.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Jacob 5:62 — 'for behold, this is the last time that I shall prune my vineyard.'
• alludes to Jacob 5:71 — Labor with your mights this last time.
• the same title in D&C 43:28 — 'labor ye in my vineyard for the last time.'

Hosanna — welcoming the coming King

Hosanna — 'save now, we pray'

Wherefore, go forth, crying with a loud voice, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand; crying: Hosanna! blessed be the name of the Most High God. Doctrine and Covenants 39:19

The elders are to shout Hosanna, the cry that greeted Jesus at His triumphal entry, as they announce the coming kingdom. 'The Most High God' may mean the Father, but the Hosanna shout looks toward the coming King.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 21:9 — 'Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.'
• alludes to Matthew 3:2 — 'the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'

Preparing the way for His coming

Go forth baptizing with water, preparing the way before my face for the time of my coming; Doctrine and Covenants 39:20–21

Like John the Baptist, latter-day elders baptize to prepare the way for Christ, this time for His Second Coming. No one knows the day or the hour, but it will surely come.

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

• alludes to Malachi 3:1 — 'he shall prepare the way before me.'
• alludes to Matthew 24:36 — 'of that day and hour knoweth no man.'

I come quickly

And again, it shall come to pass that on as many as ye shall baptize with water, ye shall lay your hands, and they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and shall be looking forth for the signs of my coming, and shall know me. Doctrine and Covenants 39:23–24

Those who receive the Holy Ghost will watch for the signs of Christ's coming and will know Him. He promises He is coming soon.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Revelation 22:20 — 'Surely I come quickly.'
• the same title in D&C 41:4 — 'behold, I come quickly.'