Friday, March 9, 2018

Distinction between “Jehovah” and “Jesus” in the 1835 LDS Hymnal


In hymn 56 of A Collection of Sacred Hymns, for the Church of the Latter Day Saints (1835), prepared by Emma Smith (cf. D&C 25), we read:

3. Down in old Jordan's rolling stream;
The Prophet led the holy Lamb,
And there did him baptize:
Jehovah saw his darling Son,
And was well pleas'd in what he'd done,
And own'd him from the skies.

. . .

5. This is my Son, Jehovah cries,
The echoing voice from glory flies,
O, children, hear ye him;
Hark! 'tis his voice, behold he cries,
Repent, believe, and be baptiz'd,
And wash away your sin

This shows that Jehovah was used, not just of Jesus, but even of the Father, in the early days of the Church (cf. D&C 109:34, 42, 56, 68 where the Father is called "Jehovah" and D&C 110:3 where Jesus is called "Jehovah"). For a good discussion of this topic, see Keith H. Meservy's article in the June 2002 Ensign, "LORD = Jehovah"