Doctrine and Covenants 61

Alpha and Omega

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

Behold, and hearken unto the voice of him who has all power, who is from everlasting to everlasting, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Doctrine and Covenants 61:1

The Savior introduces Himself as the One with all power, eternal, the Alpha and Omega. The risen Jesus said all power had been given to Him.

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

• the same title in Revelation 1:8 — "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending."
• alludes to Matthew 28:18 — "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."
• alludes to Psalm 90:2 — "From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."
• the same title in D&C 54:1 — Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

The Lord who forgives sins

Behold, verily thus saith the Lord unto you, O ye elders of my church, who are assembled upon this spot, whose sins are now forgiven you, for I, the Lord, forgive sins, and am merciful unto those who confess their sins with humble hearts; Doctrine and Covenants 61:2

Jesus declares that He forgives sins and shows mercy to the humble who confess, just as He did during His mortal ministry.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Mark 2:10 — "The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins."

Jehovah, the Lord from the beginning

Jehovah — the covenant God of Israel, the premortal Christ

And now, behold, for your good I gave unto you a commandment concerning these things; and I, the Lord, will reason with you as with men in days of old. Doctrine and Covenants 61:13–17

The same Lord who reasoned with the ancients, blessed the waters and cursed the ground at the Creation and the Fall now speaks to the elders. The Jehovah of Genesis is the Jesus Christ of the Restoration.

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 Genesis 1:20-22 — God blesses the creatures of the waters.
• alludes to Genesis 3:17 — "Cursed is the ground for thy sake."
• alludes to Revelation 8:8-11 — John sees the waters of the earth smitten in the last days.

Emmanuel (God with us)

And now, verily I say unto you, and what I say unto one I say unto all, be of good cheer, little children; for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you; Doctrine and Covenants 61:36

Jesus comforts the elders like His own children: He is right there among them and has not left them.

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

• alludes to John 16:33 — "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
• alludes to Matthew 18:20 — "There am I in the midst of them."
• alludes to John 14:18 — "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."

Son of Man

Son of Man — Son of Man of Holiness, the Son of God the Father

Gird up your loins and be watchful and be sober, looking forth for the coming of the Son of Man, for he cometh in an hour you think not. Doctrine and Covenants 61:38–39

The Savior tells His servants to stay ready and prayerful because He, the Son of Man, will come when people do not expect it. Only the prepared can abide that day.

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

• alludes to Matthew 24:44 — "In such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."
• alludes to Luke 21:36 — "Watch ye therefore, and pray always... to stand before the Son of man."
• alludes to Matthew 26:41 — "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation."
• alludes to Malachi 3:2 — "Who may abide the day of his coming?"
• the same title in D&C 58:65 — "Behold the Son of Man cometh."