- (1) explanations of fundamental doctrines of the gospel,
- (2) an unfolding of the administrative structure of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and
- (3) a testimony of "Jesus Christ — His divinity, His majesty, His perfection, His love, and His redeeming power — mak[ing] this book of great value to the human family."
The Doctrine and Covenants contains powerful testmonies of Jesus Christ and His work — most of them from the Lord Himself. Consider the following:
"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance" (D&C 18:10-12).
"For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men" (D&C 19:16-19).
We may never understand nor comprehend in mortality how He accomplished what He did, but we must not fail to understand why He did what He did.
— Ezra Taft Benson (in October 1983 General Conference)
As I read this next passage, I can insert my own name and feel Jesus's love for me personally!"My [daughter Alison], hearken and hear and behold what I, the Lord God, shall say unto you, even Jesus Christ your Redeemer; The light and the life of the world, a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not; Who so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the [daughters] of God. Wherefore you are my [daughter]" (D&C 34:1-3).
"Behold, and hearken, O ye [people] of my church, saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, your advocate, who knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted" (D&C 62:1).
An advocate is one who pleads the cause of another. To succor literally means "to run to."What a magnificent way to describe the Savior's urgent effort in our behalf. Even as He calls us to come to Him and follow Him, He is unfailingly running to help us.While imprisoned in Liberty Jail, the Prophet Joseph Smith learned how low the Savior is willing to go for our benefit. "If the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?" (D&C 122:8-9)
— Jeffrey R. Holland (in BYU Speeches, March 1997)
Again, I can put my name in the verse: "I will encircle [Alison] in the arms of my love" (D&C 6:20).
"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"
"And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the bright hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father— That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God" (D&C 76:22-24).
These verses reflect the testimony of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, resulting from a vision they received.A passage that is personally significant to my own testimony is found in Section 78. My mother included these words in a letter she wrote to me while I was in college and having a particularly hard time, and I have returned to them for the comfort they bring many times since.Minerva Teichart's Christ in His Red Robe "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; And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours" (D&C 78:17-18).
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine.
I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
Text by Charles H. Gabriel
May we always remember our Savior, Jesus Christ, and as we study the Doctrine and Covenants, may we look for what it teaches us about Him. He is the central figure of the book!
