All things bear record · Jeremiah

Jeremiah 3

2 witnesses of Christ here, and 2 further echoes from the reading.

My Father, guide of my youth

Father — one who gives life and guides; Christ is Father as Creator and as the father of those spiritually born of Him

Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth? Jeremiah 3:4

Jehovah invites Israel to call Him 'My father' (repeated in verse 19). Restoration scripture teaches that Christ is called Father because He is Creator and because covenant people are born again as His sons and daughters.

A readingJehovah — the LORDA title of Christ
  • the same title in Jeremiah 3:19 — Thou shalt call me, My father.
  • interpreted by Mosiah 5:7 — Ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters.
  • the same title in Isaiah 9:6 — The Messiah is called The everlasting Father.

Merciful Husband who gathers to Zion

Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever. Jeremiah 3:12–14

Though Israel has been unfaithful, Jehovah declares He is merciful and still married to His people, and He promises to gather them to Zion a few at a time. Latter-day Saints see this gathering in the Restoration, led by the Bridegroom who is coming again.

AttestedProphecy or typeHe speaks in the first person

How we know: the verse itself names Him

  • the same title in Isaiah 54:5 — Thy Maker is thine husband ... thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel.
  • the same title in D&C 133:10 — Prepare yourselves for the coming of the Bridegroom.
  • the same title in Jeremiah 3:20 — As a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me.

Jerusalem, the throne of the LORD

And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more. Jeremiah 3:16–17

A day is coming when the ark, with its mercy seat where the Lord's presence rested, will not be missed, because the Lord Himself will reign in Jerusalem and all nations will gather to His name. Latter-day Saints see this fulfilled when Christ reigns personally on the earth.

A readingProphecy or typeA prophecy of Him
  • the same event in D&C 133:21 — He shall utter his voice out of Zion, and he shall speak from Jerusalem.
  • the same event in Zechariah 14:9 — The LORD shall be king over all the earth.
  • the same event in Revelation 21:22 — No temple therein: the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

The LORD who heals, the salvation of Israel

Salvation (Hebrew yeshuah) — the root of the name Jesus, 'Jehovah saves'

Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God. Jeremiah 3:22–23

The Lord promises to heal His people's wandering, and they confess that salvation comes only from Him, not from the hilltop idols. The risen Christ makes the same offer to heal all who return to Him.

AttestedJehovah — the LORDA divine name

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

  • the same title in 3 Nephi 9:13 — Will ye not now return unto me ... that I may heal you?
  • the same title in Hosea 14:4 — I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely.