Doctrine and Covenants 84

Jesus Christ

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One

A revelation of Jesus Christ unto his servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and six elders, as they united their hearts and lifted their voices on high. Doctrine and Covenants 84:1

The revelation opens by naming its source: Jesus Christ Himself. Everything that follows in this section is His word to His servants.

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

• alludes to D&C 1:38 — The Lord's word is His voice whether spoken by Himself or His servants.

The Lord (Jehovah) and His house

Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem. Doctrine and Covenants 84:2–5

'The Lord' here is Jesus Christ, named in verse 1; the Church is His church. He promises a temple in Zion filled with His glory, just as His glory filled the tabernacle in Moses' day.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Exodus 40:34-35 — The cloud and glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
• alludes to D&C 110:1-4 — Jesus Christ appears in His house and accepts it.

Priesthood after the order of the Son of God

Which priesthood continueth in the church of God in all generations, and is without beginning of days or end of years. Doctrine and Covenants 84:17

The words 'without beginning of days or end of years' echo Hebrews' description of Melchizedek, who was 'made like unto the Son of God.' The holy priesthood passed from Adam to Melchizedek to Abraham is Christ's own eternal priesthood.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Hebrews 7:3 — 'Having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God.'
• alludes to D&C 107:3 — The Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God.

Jehovah in the wilderness

Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God; Doctrine and Covenants 84:23–24

The Lord who led Israel in the wilderness and wanted them to see His face was Jehovah, the premortal Christ. Israel's refusal cost them His 'rest', the fulness of His glory.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Psalm 95:11 — 'I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.'
• alludes to Hebrews 3:11 — Paul applies the same oath to the Israelites who rejected the Lord.

The coming of the Lord (John the Baptist's forerunner mission)

Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. Doctrine and Covenants 84:27–28

John the Baptist was ordained to prepare the Jews for the coming of Jesus Christ, 'the Lord', into whose hand the Father has given all power.

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

• alludes to Isaiah 40:3 — 'Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway.'
• alludes to Matthew 3:3 — John identified as the voice preparing the way of the Lord.
• alludes to Matthew 28:18 — 'All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.'

The Lord's voice — my church

Therefore, as I said concerning the sons of Moses—for the sons of Moses and also the sons of Aaron shall offer an acceptable offering and sacrifice in the house of the Lord, which house shall be built unto the Lord in this generation, upon the consecrated spot as I have appointed— Doctrine and Covenants 84:31–32

Christ speaks in the first person: He appointed the temple site and calls His servants to build up 'my church.' The Church belongs to Him.

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

• alludes to 3 Nephi 27:8 — Christ's church is called in His name and built upon His gospel.

Receiving Christ and His Father

And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord; Doctrine and Covenants 84:35–38

The Son speaks of 'my Father': receiving His servants means receiving Him, and receiving Him leads to the Father and all the Father has. Christ is the way to the Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 10:40 — 'He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.'
• alludes to John 13:20 — Same teaching given at the Last Supper.
• alludes to Romans 8:17 — Joint-heirs with Christ of all the Father has.

The Son confirms the oath and covenant

And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood. Doctrine and Covenants 84:39–42

Jesus Christ calls the priesthood covenant 'the oath and covenant of my Father' and confirms it Himself 'by mine own voice out of the heavens,' commanding His angels to watch over those who hold it.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Psalm 110:4 — The LORD's oath: 'Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek' — applied to Christ in Hebrews.
• alludes to Hebrews 7:21 — Christ made priest 'with an oath.'

Living by every word of God

And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life. Doctrine and Covenants 84:43–44

The Savior repeats the scripture He Himself used to answer Satan in the wilderness, now as a commandment to His servants.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Deuteronomy 8:3 — 'Man doth live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD.'
• alludes to Matthew 4:4 — Jesus quotes the same words during His temptation.
• alludes to John 6:68 — 'Thou hast the words of eternal life.'

The Spirit of Jesus Christ (Light of Christ)

For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Doctrine and Covenants 84:45–47

Truth, light and Spirit are tied to 'the Spirit of Jesus Christ', which gives light to every person born into the world. Everyone who follows that light is led to the Father.

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

• alludes to John 1:9 — 'That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.'
• the same title in Moroni 7:16 — 'The Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil.'
• alludes to D&C 88:6-13 — The light of Christ in all things.

Come unto me — freedom from the bondage of sin

And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me. Doctrine and Covenants 84:50–52

Christ teaches that the world is in bondage to sin because it does not come to Him. Knowing His voice is the mark of belonging to Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 10:27 — 'My sheep hear my voice, and I know them.'
• alludes to John 8:34-36 — Sin is bondage; the Son makes free.

The Lord's new covenant — the Book of Mormon

And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written— Doctrine and Covenants 84:57

The Savior calls the Book of Mormon 'the new covenant' and says He gave and wrote its commandments. Treating it lightly brought the Church under condemnation.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

Christ forgives sins

Verily, verily, I say unto you who now hear my words, which are my voice, blessed are ye inasmuch as you receive these things; Doctrine and Covenants 84:60–61

The Lord personally promises forgiveness of sins to those who stay steadfast and bear testimony. Only the Savior, through His Atonement, has power to forgive sins.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

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

The risen Lord's commission to His apostles

Therefore, go ye into all the world; and unto whatsoever place ye cannot go ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you into all the world unto every creature. Doctrine and Covenants 84:62–64

The same Jesus who commissioned His apostles after His Resurrection speaks again, calling latter-day servants His apostles and friends, given Him by the Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Mark 16:15-16 — 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.'
• alludes to John 17:6 — 'The men which thou gavest me out of the world.'
• alludes to John 15:14-15 — 'Ye are my friends.'

Signs in His name

And these signs shall follow them that believe— Doctrine and Covenants 84:65–72

Miracles that follow believers are done 'in my name' — by the authority and power of Jesus Christ, not their own.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Mark 16:17-18 — The same list of signs promised by the risen Christ.

Baptism in His name

Verily, verily, I say unto you, they who believe not on your words, and are not baptized in water in my name, for the remission of their sins, that they may receive the Holy Ghost, shall be damned, and shall not come into my Father's kingdom where my Father and I am. Doctrine and Covenants 84:74

Baptism is done in Christ's name for remission of sins, and it leads to the kingdom where the Father and the Son dwell.

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

• alludes to Mark 16:16 — 'He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.'
• alludes to John 14:3 — 'That where I am, there ye may be also.'

Christ recalls His mortal ministry

And again I say unto you, my friends, for from henceforth I shall call you friends, it is expedient that I give unto you this commandment, that ye become even as my friends in days when I was with them, traveling to preach the gospel in my power; Doctrine and Covenants 84:77–78

The Savior remembers the days 'when I was with them' in mortality, sending His disciples without purse or scrip, and applies the same pattern to modern missionaries.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Luke 10:4 — 'Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes.'
• alludes to Luke 22:35 — 'When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing?'
• alludes to Matthew 10:10 — 'Neither two coats.'

The Master re-teaches His sermon

Behold, I send you out to prove the world, and the laborer is worthy of his hire. Doctrine and Covenants 84:79–85

Jesus repeats His own Sermon on the Mount and missionary instructions, promising that His faithful servants will be cared for and given what to say in the very hour.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 6:25-34 — Take no thought for the morrow; consider the lilies.
• alludes to Matthew 10:19 — 'Take no thought how or what ye shall speak.'
• alludes to Luke 10:7 — 'The labourer is worthy of his hire.'

Christ goes before His servants

And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up. Doctrine and Covenants 84:88–91

A tender promise from the Savior: He personally goes before His missionaries, stands on both sides of them, and sends His Spirit and angels to bear them up.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 10:40-42 — Receiving His disciples is receiving Him; the giver shall not lose his reward.
• alludes to Psalm 91:11-12 — Angels bear up the faithful.

Testimony of Christ

He that receiveth you not, go away from him alone by yourselves, and cleanse your feet even with water, pure water, whether in heat or in cold, and bear testimony of it unto your Father which is in heaven, and return not again unto that man. Doctrine and Covenants 84:92–95

The message missionaries carry is testimony of Jesus Christ; rejecting that witness is rejecting Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 10:14-15 — Leaving a city that will not receive the messengers, with a witness against it.

The Almighty

For I, the Almighty, have laid my hands upon the nations, to scourge them for their wickedness. Doctrine and Covenants 84:96–97

The Savior calls Himself 'the Almighty' and declares He will finish His latter-day work quickly, in righteousness.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Romans 9:28 — 'He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness.'
• the same title in Revelation 1:8 — Alpha and Omega, 'the Almighty.'

The new song of the redeemed

Until all shall know me, who remain, even from the least unto the greatest, and shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, and shall see eye to eye, and shall lift up their voice, and with the voice together sing this new song, saying: Doctrine and Covenants 84:98–100

Christ prophesies the Millennium, when everyone will know Him and sing a new song praising the Lord who redeemed Israel, bound Satan, and gathered all things in one — in Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Jeremiah 31:34 — 'They shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest.'
• alludes to Isaiah 52:8 — 'They shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.'
• alludes to Ephesians 1:10 — 'Gather together in one all things in Christ.'
• alludes to Revelation 20:2 — Satan bound for a thousand years.

He stands in the midst of His people

The earth hath travailed and brought forth her strength; And truth is established in her bowels; And the heavens have smiled upon her; And she is clothed with the glory of her God; For he stands in the midst of his people. Doctrine and Covenants 84:101–102

In the Millennium the Lord personally stands among His people. He is praised as full of mercy, justice, grace and truth — the very description of Jesus Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 1:14 — The Word made flesh, 'full of grace and truth.'
• alludes to D&C 29:11 — Christ will dwell in righteousness with men on earth a thousand years.
• alludes to Revelation 5:12-13 — Power, honour, glory ascribed to the Lamb.

My everlasting gospel, my church

And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, it is expedient that every man who goes forth to proclaim mine everlasting gospel, that inasmuch as they have families, and receive money by gift, that they should send it unto them or make use of it for their benefit, as the Lord shall direct them, for thus it seemeth me good. Doctrine and Covenants 84:103–108

Christ calls the gospel His and the ancient apostles His. The same Lord built His church then and builds it now.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 16:18 — 'Upon this rock I will build my church.'

Trust in Him — not confounded

Let him trust in me and he shall not be confounded; and a hair of his head shall not fall to the ground unnoticed. Doctrine and Covenants 84:116

The promise 'shall not be confounded' echoes the prophecy of the sure cornerstone: whoever believes on that Stone, Jesus Christ, will not be put to shame.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to 1 Peter 2:6 — 'He that believeth on him shall not be confounded' — said of Christ the chief corner stone.
• alludes to Isaiah 28:16 — The tried, precious corner stone in Zion.
• alludes to Luke 21:18 — 'There shall not an hair of your head perish.'

I will come and reign

For, with you saith the Lord Almighty, I will rend their kingdoms; I will not only shake the earth, but the starry heavens shall tremble. Doctrine and Covenants 84:118–119

In His own voice the Savior promises that He will shake heaven and earth and then come to reign with His people. 'Know that I am' also echoes His divine name, I AM.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him

• alludes to Hebrews 12:26 — 'Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.'
• alludes to Haggai 2:6-7 — The LORD shakes the heavens and the earth before filling His house with glory.
• alludes to Exodus 3:14 — I AM THAT I AM.

Alpha and Omega

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

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 84:120

Christ signs the revelation with His title Alpha and Omega: He is the first and the last, over all things from beginning to end.

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, saith the Lord.'
• the same title in Revelation 22:13 — 'I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.'