Doctrine and Covenants 50

The Living God (Christ speaking)

Hearken, O ye elders of my church, and give ear to the voice of the living God; and attend to the words of wisdom which shall be given unto you, according as ye have asked and are agreed as touching the church, and the spirits which have gone abroad in the earth. Doctrine and Covenants 50:1

The voice speaking is the living God, who later in this section calls Himself the Good Shepherd, one with the Father: Jesus Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 16:16 — Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
• the same title in D&C 50:43-44 — The same speaker: the good shepherd, one with the Father.

Jehovah who reasons with His people

And now come, saith the Lord, by the Spirit, unto the elders of his church, and let us reason together, that ye may understand; Doctrine and Covenants 50:10–12

The invitation Jehovah gave through Isaiah, 'Come now, let us reason together,' is renewed by the Lord Jesus, who speaks with us as plainly as a friend face to face.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Isaiah 1:18 — Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD.
• alludes to Exodus 33:11 — The LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.

Light of Christ

That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day. Doctrine and Covenants 50:24

Light from God grows line upon line in those who keep receiving it; Latter-day Saints understand this light as flowing from Christ (D&C 88).

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Proverbs 4:18 — Shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
• alludes to D&C 88:6-13 — The light of Christ that proceedeth from the presence of God.
• alludes to John 1:9 — The true Light, which lighteth every man.

Servant of All

He that is ordained of God and sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is the least and the servant of all. Doctrine and Covenants 50:26

The Lord's servants follow His pattern: greatness comes through serving, as Christ came to minister.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Mark 10:44-45 — Whosoever will be chiefest shall be servant of all; the Son of man came to minister.
• alludes to Matthew 23:11 — He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Jesus Christ, His Son

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One

Wherefore, he is possessor of all things; for all things are subject unto him, both in heaven and on the earth, the life and the light, the Spirit and the power, sent forth by the will of the Father through Jesus Christ, his Son. Doctrine and Covenants 50:27

All life, light, Spirit and power come from the Father through His Son Jesus Christ.

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

• alludes to John 1:4 — In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
• alludes to D&C 88:13 — The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things.

Asking in the Name of Jesus

And if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done. Doctrine and Covenants 50:29

Those cleansed from sin may ask in the name of Jesus and receive.

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

• alludes to John 14:13-14 — Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do.
• alludes to 3 Nephi 18:20 — Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name.

Praying to the Father in the Name of Jesus

Wherefore, it shall come to pass, that if you behold a spirit manifested that you cannot understand, and you receive not that spirit, ye shall ask of the Father in the name of Jesus; and if he give not unto you that spirit, then you may know that it is not of God. Doctrine and Covenants 50:31

To discern a confusing spirit, pray to the Father in Jesus' name; the pattern of prayer runs through the Son.

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

• alludes to 3 Nephi 18:19 — Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name.
• alludes to John 16:23 — Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name.

The Son who has overcome the world

Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. Doctrine and Covenants 50:40–42

Christ tenderly claims His disciples as His own, given Him by the Father; because He has overcome the world, none of them will be lost.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes John 16:33 — Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
• alludes to John 17:12 — Those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost.
• alludes to John 6:39 — Of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing.
• alludes to 2 Peter 3:18 — Grow in grace.

Son, One with the Father

And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you. Doctrine and Covenants 50:43

Jesus is one with the Father in purpose and glory, and those who receive Him are drawn into that same oneness.

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

• quotes John 10:30 — I and my Father are one.
• quotes John 14:10-11 — I am in the Father, and the Father in me.
• alludes to John 14:20 — Ye in me, and I in you.

Good Shepherd

Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall. Doctrine and Covenants 50:44

Christ is the Good Shepherd who stays among His flock and cares for each one.

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 John 10:11 — I am the good shepherd.
• alludes to Psalm 23:1 — The LORD is my shepherd.

Stone of Israel

Stone of Israel — the sure foundation God gives His covenant people

Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall. Doctrine and Covenants 50:44

A hidden Old Testament title: Jacob blessed Joseph by 'the shepherd, the stone of Israel.' Christ claims both titles in one verse.

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

• interprets Genesis 49:24 — From thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel.
• the same title in Psalm 118:22 — The stone which the builders refused.
• the same title in Isaiah 28:16 — A tried stone, a precious corner stone.

Rock

Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall. Doctrine and Covenants 50:44

Building life on Christ, the Rock, is the only foundation that cannot fall.

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

• alludes to Matthew 7:24-25 — A wise man built his house upon a rock; it fell not.
• the same title in Helaman 5:12 — The rock of our Redeemer, a sure foundation.
• the same title in D&C 6:34 — Build upon my rock.

Seeing Him / Know that I Am

And the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am. Doctrine and Covenants 50:45–46

Christ promises the faithful will one day hear His voice, see Him, and know He lives; so they must watch and be ready.

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

• alludes to D&C 93:1 — Shall see my face and know that I am.
• alludes to D&C 67:10 — You shall see me and know that I am.
• alludes to Matthew 24:42 — Watch therefore.