Doctrine and Covenants 55

Lord of the Whole Earth

Lord of the whole earth — sovereign over all the earth, not one people only

Behold, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant William, yea, even the Lord of the whole earth, thou art called and chosen; and after thou hast been baptized by water, which if you do with an eye single to my glory, you shall have a remission of your sins and a reception of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands; Doctrine and Covenants 55:1

The Savior speaks to William W. Phelps and names Himself the Lord of the whole earth, an Old Testament title of Jehovah that belongs to Him.

• the same title in Micah 4:13 — "Unto the Lord of the whole earth."
• the same title in Zechariah 4:14 — "That stand by the Lord of the whole earth."

Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One; Son of the living God — the divine Son of the Father

And then thou shalt be ordained by the hand of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., to be an elder unto this church, to preach repentance and remission of sins by way of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. Doctrine and Covenants 55:2

Baptism is done in the name of Jesus Christ, so those baptized take His name upon them. The verse repeats Peter's testimony of who He is.

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

• the same title in Matthew 16:16 — Peter: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
• alludes to Acts 2:38 — "Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins."