Doctrine and Covenants 60

The Lord who gives the talents

Behold, thus saith the Lord unto the elders of his church, who are to return speedily to the land from whence they came: Behold, it pleaseth me, that you have come up hither; Doctrine and Covenants 60:1–2

The Savior casts Himself as the master in His parable of the talents: He gave the elders their gifts, and He is displeased when they bury them out of fear.

• alludes to Matthew 25:25 — "I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth."
• alludes to Matthew 25:29 — From him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath (compare verse 3).

The day He makes up His jewels

For I, the Lord, rule in the heavens above, and among the armies of the earth; and in the day when I shall make up my jewels, all men shall know what it is that bespeaketh the power of God. Doctrine and Covenants 60:4

The Lord looks ahead to the day He gathers His precious faithful ones, His jewels, at His coming, when everyone will recognize God's power.

• alludes to Malachi 3:17 — "They shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels."
• the same event in D&C 101:3 — "They shall be mine in that day when I shall come to make up my jewels."

He makes holy and forgives

And in this place let them lift up their voice and declare my word with loud voices, without wrath or doubting, lifting up holy hands upon them. For I am able to make you holy, and your sins are forgiven you. Doctrine and Covenants 60:7

Only Jesus Christ can make a person holy and forgive sins, and here He does both for the elders.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Mark 2:5 — "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."

Echo of His charge to the Twelve

And shake off the dust of thy feet against those who receive thee not, not in their presence, lest thou provoke them, but in secret; and wash thy feet, as a testimony against them in the day of judgment. Doctrine and Covenants 60:15

The Lord repeats the instruction He gave His first disciples about those who reject them, a witness kept for His day of judgment.

• alludes to Matthew 10:14-15 — "Shake off the dust of your feet... in the day of judgment."
• alludes to Mark 6:11 — "Shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them."