All things bear record · Doctrine and Covenants

Doctrine and Covenants 95

5 witnesses of Christ here, and 3 further echoes from the reading.

Jesus Christ — Loving Chastener

Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love, and whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance in all things out of temptation, and I have loved you— Doctrine and Covenants 95:1–2

The speaker, identified in verse 17 as Jesus Christ, tells the Saints He corrects them because He loves them, so their sins can be forgiven and they can be delivered.

A readingExplicitHe speaks in the first person
  • alludes to Hebrews 12:6 — Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth
  • alludes to Proverbs 3:12 — Whom the LORD loveth he correcteth
  • interpreted by D&C 95:17 — The signature names the speaker as Jesus Christ

Lord of the Vineyard

For the preparation wherewith I design to prepare mine apostles to prune my vineyard for the last time, that I may bring to pass my strange act, that I may pour out my Spirit upon all flesh— Doctrine and Covenants 95:4

Christ speaks as the Lord of the vineyard from Zenos' allegory, preparing His servants to prune it for the last time before the end, and to pour out His Spirit.

A readingProphecy or typeallegory_parable
  • alludes to Jacob 5:61-62 — Call servants... prune my vineyard for the last time
  • alludes to Isaiah 28:21 — That he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act
  • alludes to Joel 2:28 — I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh

Lord of Sabaoth

Lord of Sabaoth — Lord of Hosts (armies); here interpreted as "the creator of the first day, the beginning and the end"

And for this cause I gave unto you a commandment that you should call your solemn assembly, that your fastings and your mourning might come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, which is by interpretation, the creator of the first day, the beginning and the end. Doctrine and Covenants 95:7

The revelation interprets the title Lord of Sabaoth as the Creator of the first day and the Beginning and the End, titles that belong to Jesus Christ, who signs this revelation as Alphus and Omegus.

AttestedExplicitA title of Christ

How we know: a footnote points to Him

  • the same title in James 5:4 — Entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth
  • the same title in Romans 9:29 — Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed
  • alludes to Revelation 22:13 — I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end
  • the same title in D&C 98:2 — Prayers entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth

Jesus Christ — Promise of Power from on High

Yea, verily I say unto you, I gave unto you a commandment that you should build a house, in the which house I design to endow those whom I have chosen with power from on high; Doctrine and Covenants 95:8–9

Jesus speaks of "mine apostles at Jerusalem," whom He told to wait for power from on high. He gives the same promise of the Father to the Kirtland Saints through the temple endowment.

A readingExplicitHe speaks in the first person
  • alludes to Luke 24:49 — I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high
  • alludes to Acts 1:4 — Wait for the promise of the Father
  • alludes to D&C 38:32 — There you shall be endowed with power from on high

Sacrament — Remembering His Atonement

And let the lower part of the inner court be dedicated unto me for your sacrament offering, and for your preaching, and your fasting, and your praying, and the offering up of your most holy desires unto me, saith your Lord. Doctrine and Covenants 95:16

Part of the temple is set apart for the sacrament, the ordinance in which Saints remember Christ's body and blood and offer Him their hearts.

AttestedProphecy or typeAn ordinance that points to Him

How we know: a Church study aid lists it

  • alludes to D&C 59:9-12 — Offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day
  • alludes to D&C 20:77 — Eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son

Son Ahman

Son Ahman — Son of God (Ahman is a name of God in the pure language)

And let the higher part of the inner court be dedicated unto me for the school of mine apostles, saith Son Ahman; or, in other words, Alphus; or, in other words, Omegus; even Jesus Christ your Lord. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 95:17

The speaker signs this revelation as Son Ahman, a title in the pure language meaning the Son of God.

AttestedExplicitA title of Christ

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • the same title in D&C 78:20 — The Son Ahman, who prepareth all things
  • the same title in D&C 78:15 — Adam-ondi-Ahman... Holy One of Zion

Alphus and Omegus

Alphus / Omegus — forms of Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet: the Beginning and the End

And let the higher part of the inner court be dedicated unto me for the school of mine apostles, saith Son Ahman; or, in other words, Alphus; or, in other words, Omegus; even Jesus Christ your Lord. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 95:17

Christ also names Himself Alphus and Omegus, meaning He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end of all things.

AttestedExplicitA title of Christ

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • the same title in Revelation 1:8 — I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending
  • the same title in D&C 19:1 — I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord
  • the same title in 3 Nephi 9:18 — I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end

Jesus Christ

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One

And let the higher part of the inner court be dedicated unto me for the school of mine apostles, saith Son Ahman; or, in other words, Alphus; or, in other words, Omegus; even Jesus Christ your Lord. Amen. Doctrine and Covenants 95:17

The revelation ends by plainly naming its speaker: Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Saints.

AttestedExplicitname

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