Doctrine and Covenants 75

Alpha and Omega

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

Verily, verily, I say unto you, I who speak even by the voice of my Spirit, even Alpha and Omega, your Lord and your God— Doctrine and Covenants 75:1

The Savior introduces the revelation with His own title, Alpha and Omega. He is the beginning and the end of God's work for us, and He speaks here through His Spirit to Joseph Smith.

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

• the same title in Revelation 1:8 — The Lord calls Himself Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending.
• the same title in Revelation 22:13 — The same title from the risen Christ.
• the same title in D&C 81:7 — Alpha and Omega identified outright as Jesus Christ.

Lord of the Vineyard

Hearken, O ye who have given your names to go forth to proclaim my gospel, and to prune my vineyard. Doctrine and Covenants 75:2–3

Christ calls the world 'my vineyard' and His missionaries servants who prune it and labor with their might. That is the wording of Zenos's allegory, where the Lord of the vineyard calls servants to labor with Him one last time.

• alludes to Jacob 5:61-62 — The Lord of the vineyard calls servants to labor with their might in the vineyard the last time.

Jesus Christ

And I give unto him a new commission and a new commandment, in the which I, the Lord, chasten him for the murmurings of his heart; Doctrine and Covenants 75:7–8

The Lord Jesus Christ speaks personally about one missionary, William E. McLellin: He corrects him, forgives him, and sends him out again. His discipline and His forgiveness belong together.

Jesus Christ

Calling on the name of the Lord for the Comforter, which shall teach them all things that are expedient for them— Doctrine and Covenants 75:10–11

The missionaries pray in the Lord's name for the Comforter, who will teach them, as Jesus promised in John 14. Christ then repeats the promise He gave His apostles as He sent them out: He will be with them to the end.

• alludes to John 14:26 — The Comforter, sent in Christ's name, shall teach you all things.
• alludes to Matthew 28:20 — Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

Jesus Christ

And again, verily thus saith the Lord, let my servant Orson Hyde and my servant Samuel H. Smith take their journey into the eastern countries, and proclaim the things which I have commanded them; and inasmuch as they are faithful, lo, I will be with them even unto the end. Doctrine and Covenants 75:13–14

Christ says it twice more for the other pairs of missionaries: He goes with His servants to the end. His presence is the promise every missionary carries.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Matthew 28:20 — The Great Commission promise: I am with you alway, even unto the end.

Resurrection

And he who is faithful shall overcome all things, and shall be lifted up at the last day. Doctrine and Covenants 75:16

To be 'lifted up at the last day' echoes Jesus' promise to raise up the faithful at the last day, a promise the Resurrection and Final Judgment will fulfill. Verse 22 repeats it.

• alludes to John 6:40 — I will raise him up at the last day.

Christ's mortal ministry

And in whatsoever house ye enter, and they receive you, leave your blessing upon that house. Doctrine and Covenants 75:19–20

The Savior gives His latter-day missionaries the same instructions He gave the Twelve in Galilee: bless the homes that receive you, and shake off the dust at the homes that reject you.

• alludes to Matthew 10:12-14 — Jesus' charge to the Twelve: salute the house, and shake off the dust of your feet if they will not receive you.

Christ's mortal ministry

Let them ask and they shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto them, and be made known from on high, even by the Comforter, whither they shall go. Doctrine and Covenants 75:27

Christ repeats His promise from the Sermon on the Mount, ask and receive, knock and it shall be opened, and applies it to missionaries who need to know where to go.

• alludes to Matthew 7:7 — Ask, and it shall be given you... knock, and it shall be opened unto you.