Doctrine and Covenants 98

Lord of Sabaoth

Lord of Sabaoth — Lord of Hosts (armies)

Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted. Doctrine and Covenants 98:2–3

The Lord of Sabaoth has heard the Saints' prayers and promised that their afflictions will work for their good. D&C 95:7 identifies this title with the Creator, the beginning and the end, but here it could also point to the Father.

• the same title in D&C 95:7 — Lord of Sabaoth interpreted as the creator of the first day, the beginning and the end
• alludes to James 5:4 — Are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth
• alludes to Romans 8:28 — All things work together for good to them that love God

The One Who Makes Us Free

I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free. Doctrine and Covenants 98:8

The Lord uses Jesus' own words about the Son making people free. True freedom comes from Christ.

• alludes to John 8:36 — If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed

Jesus Christ — Life Lost for His Sake

And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name's sake, shall find it again, even life eternal. Doctrine and Covenants 98:13–15

Christ repeats His mortal teaching that whoever gives up their life for His sake will find eternal life, and those who will not stay true to His covenant are not worthy of Him.

• alludes to Matthew 16:25 — Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it
• alludes to Matthew 10:38-39 — Is not worthy of me... he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it

Second Coming

Therefore, renounce war and proclaim peace, and seek diligently to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers, and the hearts of the fathers to the children; Doctrine and Covenants 98:16–17

Using Malachi's prophecy, Christ warns that hearts must be turned before He comes, or the earth would be struck with a curse at His coming.

• alludes to Malachi 4:5-6 — He shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children... lest I come and smite the earth with a curse
• alludes to D&C 2:2-3 — The whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming

Jesus Christ — He Prepares a Place

Let not your hearts be troubled; for in my Father's house are many mansions, and I have prepared a place for you; and where my Father and I am, there ye shall be also. Doctrine and Covenants 98:18

Jesus repeats the comfort He gave His apostles the night before His death: He has prepared a place in His Father's house for the faithful, where they will be with Him and the Father.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• quotes John 14:1-3 — Let not your heart be troubled... In my Father's house are many mansions... I go to prepare a place for you

Rock of Revelation

And again I say unto you, if ye observe to do whatsoever I command you, I, the Lord, will turn away all wrath and indignation from you, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against you. Doctrine and Covenants 98:22

The Lord echoes His promise to Peter that the gates of hell will not prevail against those built on His rock.

• alludes to Matthew 16:18 — Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it
• alludes to 3 Nephi 11:39 — Built upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them

Jehovah, Lawgiver to the Ancients

Jehovah — the premortal name of Jesus Christ, the unchanging I AM

Behold, this is the law I gave unto my servant Nephi, and thy fathers, Joseph, and Jacob, and Isaac, and Abraham, and all mine ancient prophets and apostles. Doctrine and Covenants 98:32–37

The Lord who speaks to Joseph Smith is the same Lord who gave laws to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Nephi, and fought Israel's battles. That God was Jehovah, the premortal Christ.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• interpreted by 3 Nephi 15:5 — Christ declares, I am he that gave the law
• alludes to Exodus 14:14 — The LORD shall fight for you

Jesus Christ — Seventy Times Seven

And so on unto the second and third time; and as oft as thine enemy repenteth of the trespass wherewith he has trespassed against thee, thou shalt forgive him, until seventy times seven. Doctrine and Covenants 98:40

The Lord repeats His answer to Peter's question about forgiveness: forgive a repentant offender without limit, seventy times seven.

• alludes to Matthew 18:21-22 — I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven