Doctrine and Covenants 78

Jesus Christ

The Lord spake unto Joseph Smith, Jun., saying: Hearken unto me, saith the Lord your God, who are ordained unto the high priesthood of my church, who have assembled yourselves together; Doctrine and Covenants 78:1–2

The Lord speaks to the high priests He has ordained and asks them to listen to His counsel. In verse 20 He names Himself as their Redeemer, the Son Ahman.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in D&C 78:20 — The speaker identified as the Redeemer, even the Son Ahman.

Jesus Christ

For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you. Doctrine and Covenants 78:7

Christ offers to give His disciples a place in the celestial world, and they prepare for it by keeping His commandments. It echoes His promise to go and prepare a place for His disciples.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 14:2-3 — I go to prepare a place for you.

Holy One of Zion

Holy One of Zion — the holy God of His covenant people, Zion (compare Holy One of Israel)

That you may come up unto the crown prepared for you, and be made rulers over many kingdoms, saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Zion, who hath established the foundations of Adam-ondi-Ahman; Doctrine and Covenants 78:15–16

The Lord calls Himself the Holy One of Zion. He laid the foundations of Adam-ondi-Ahman, a place name containing Ahman, a name of God. He made Michael (Adam) a prince and gave him keys, but Adam works under the direction of the Holy One, who has no beginning of days or end of life. Adam serves under Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to D&C 107:54 — The Lord appeared to Adam at Adam-ondi-Ahman and made him a prince over his posterity forever.
• alludes to Hebrews 7:3 — Without beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God.

Good Shepherd

Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; Doctrine and Covenants 78:17–18

Christ speaks to His disciples as little children. They can't take in everything yet, but He tells them to be of good cheer because He will lead them along, one step at a time, toward the blessings the Father has prepared. These are the words He spoke at the Last Supper.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 16:12 — I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
• alludes to John 16:33 — Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Son Ahman

Son Ahman — Son of Ahman; Ahman is revealed as a name of God the Father, so Son Ahman is a name of Jesus Christ (D&C 95:17)

Wherefore, do the things which I have commanded you, saith your Redeemer, even the Son Ahman, who prepareth all things before he taketh you; Doctrine and Covenants 78:20

The speaker names Himself: your Redeemer, the Son Ahman, a rare revealed name of Christ meaning the Son of God (Ahman). He prepares everything before He takes His people home.

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

• interpreted by D&C 95:17 — The name of your God is Ahman... Son Ahman... even Jesus Christ your Lord.
• alludes to D&C 78:15 — Adam-ondi-Ahman carries the same divine name.

Redeemer

Redeemer — one who buys back, paying the price to set free

Wherefore, do the things which I have commanded you, saith your Redeemer, even the Son Ahman, who prepareth all things before he taketh you; Doctrine and Covenants 78:20

The Son Ahman is also 'your Redeemer', the one who paid the price to buy His people back from sin and death.

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

• the same title in D&C 80:5 — Your Redeemer, even Jesus Christ.

Firstborn

Firstborn — Christ, the first spirit child of the Father and heir of all He has

For ye are the church of the Firstborn, and he will take you up in a cloud, and appoint every man his portion. Doctrine and Covenants 78:21

The Saints are the church of the Firstborn, Christ's own family and heirs. At His coming He will catch them up in a cloud and give each one a portion of the inheritance.

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

• interpreted by D&C 93:21-22 — Christ is the Firstborn; those begotten through Him are the church of the Firstborn.
• alludes to 1 Thessalonians 4:17 — Caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.

The returning Lord and His stewards

And he that is a faithful and wise steward shall inherit all things. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 78:22

This recalls Jesus' parable of the faithful and wise steward, whom the Lord makes ruler over all He has when He returns. In the parable Christ is the Lord who comes back.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Luke 12:42-44 — That faithful and wise steward... he will make him ruler over all that he hath.