He Comprehends All Things

In Doctrine and Covenants 88 we are taught powerfully about Jesus Christ. We read that “the glory of the celestial kingdom… is that of the church of the Firstborn, even of God, the holiest of all, through Jesus Christ his Son—He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth” (v5-6). He the Firstborn in the spirit, the Son of God in the flesh, and He has descended below all things in life so that he can comprehend all things. He is the source of all light: “As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made. As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made; As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made; And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand. And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings; Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things” (v7-13). He is behind the heavenly objects that give physical light. Whenever we see the sun, the moon, or the stars, our thoughts should be drawn to Him. If you ask scientists where the sun gets its energy and light, they would tell you that it is from nuclear fusion. But the more complete answer comes from this revelation: the light of the sun comes from the Son, even Jesus Christ. And He is also the source of our own spiritual light that quickens us. And through Him comes the resurrection and redemption: “And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul. And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it” (v16-17). That He “quickeneth all things” is an incredible statement—He gives life to everything. And through His redemption He will quicken us to live again: “They who are of a celestial spirit shall receive the same body which was a natural body; even ye shall receive your bodies, and your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened” (v28). Through Him mortal life came to each of us, and immortal life will come to all of us in the future.

            One of the most impressive passages of Doctrine and Covenants 88 is this: “Judgment goeth before the face of him who sitteth upon the throne and governeth and executeth all things. He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever” (v40-41). This statement could, as far as I see it, apply to the Father or the resurrected Son. Both are now perfected, exalted Beings who comprehend all things. But which of Them was meant by “him who sitteth upon the throne and governeth and executeth all things” (from verse 40)? Later in the section we read this: “The seventh angel shall sound his trump; and he shall stand forth upon the land and upon the sea, and swear in the name of him who sitteth upon the throne” (v110). This suggests that He who sitteth on the throne is Jesus Christ, for it is by His name that we work. A few verses later this is confirmed: “For Michael shall fight their battles, and shall overcome him who seeketh the throne of him who sitteth upon the throne, even the Lamb” (v115). According to this verse, it is “the Lamb” which sitteth upon the throne, which can only refer to the Son, the Lamb of God. This means that “him who sitteth upon the throne and governeth and executeth all things” (from verse 40) must be the Son. By consequence, verse 41 must be referring to the Son, even Jesus Christ. He has inherited all power from the Father and has all things before Him; He is above and in and through and round all things. There is nothing He does not understand or govern; He is “God, forever and ever.” This description should bring us awe and humility as we then seek to follow His incredible invitation to draw near to Him who comprehends all things: “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (v63).