True to this prophecy, the Lord did make a way for the Jews to return, and He raised up servants who accomplished “a great work” for His people ( Nehemiah 6:3). In fact, He had declared through His prophet, “I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return” ( Jeremiah 29:10). They had lost Jerusalem and the temple, and many had forgotten their commitment to God’s law. It is!! Ezra 1 3–7 Nehemiah 2 4–6 8įrom the manual: The Jewish people had been held captive in Babylonia for about 70 years. Though they are two distinct persons, they are truly One.This episode is about being part of a Great Work and how lucky we are! It also includes a warning about not getting caught up in the trap that tells us that this isn’t a great work. Jesus testified that He does the works of the Father and says the words of the Father. Ultimately, it doesn’t make a difference whether it is the Father’s words or the Son’s words spoken in the revelation. He is “ mine Only Begotten Son“, “ the Son of Man“, and refers to His return as “ the great day of the Lord“.
And yet, He still refers to Himself with the titles the Father has placed upon Him. In the last verse, the Source identifies Himself, “I am Jesus Christ” ( vs. 470).ĭ&C 49 is no different in this respect than the other revelations Jesus has given. In the legal profession this is a well-understood practice referred to as the ‘power of attorney'” (“Articles of Faith”, Appendix 2, p. Our Father in Heaven has allowed Jesus to speak to various prophets as if he were the Father. “Jesus was the Father’s executive in pre-earth life, in mortality, and since his triumphant victory over death. Elder Talmage compares this authority to that of a legal agent: For instance, He is “ mine Only Begotten“. Because of this, Jesus speaks of Himself in modern revelations in third person, using the titles that the Father placed upon Him.
They testify, “in all His dealings with the human family Jesus the Son has represented and yet represents Elohim His Father in power and authority” ( The Father and the Son). The First Presidency has referred to this as “divine investiture of authority”. Nephi also quoted the Father, but this remains more the exception than the rule.Īt times Jesus (God the Son) will speak the words of God the Father in first person, as though He were God the Father. Most notably, the resurrected Jesus (who, in life, was the Father’s faithful messenger) delivered to the Nephites the words of the Father.
A variation on this theme is seen yet again where the Father testifies that Jesus is serving Him in very deed.Ī few notable exceptions to this rule are when prophets or messengers speak with the Father directly and are sent with a message to believers. We see this in the New Testament ( when Jesus was baptized, and on the mount of transfiguration), the Book of Mormon (when Christ appears to the Nephites), and in the Pearl of Great Price (when the Father and Son appear to the boy Joseph). When He does, it is to introduce His Son, Jesus Christ. God the Father has spoken on very few occasions. In the LDS scriptures, how many times does God actually speak? Like in D&C 49, God the Father and Jesus Christ seem to take turns speaking.