D&C 1:1 - Part 2: Link to Isaiah

D&C 1:1: …saith the voice of him who dwells on high and whose eyes are upon all men…

I like how the Lord gives a glimpse of himself in this passage. He first addresses to whom he is speaking and then identifies himself. He likes to give those little reminds that he is the center of focus and power. He dwells on a higher spiritual plane than the rest of us. It is his eyes who are upon all men. “He looketh down upon all the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Alma 18:32). We, on the other hand, are simply disciples appealing to his mercy. Our eyes must be upon him, and not looking to others. And, as we do so, perhaps we will be able to look into the Savior’s eyes.

There is a link in the words he who “dwells on high.” These words are used only five other times in the standard works, mostly found in Isaiah’s writings. One refers to the proud (Isaiah 26:5 – there’s a lot in there, too, but that’s another discussion). One refers to a promise made to those that “walketh righteously” (Isaiah 33:15-16). The last  refers to God’s dwelling place (Psalm 113:5, Isaiah 33:5 and 57:15). The common phrases between D&C 1:1 and these passages in Isaiah create a connection that links meaning and context. The Lord is omniscient, and his divine scriptures are proof of that. He does not do things by accident or at random, but he works in patterns. This link is further magnified in the last part of D&C 1:1 and throughout this introductory section of the Doctrine and Covenants.

The Lord’s reference to dwelling on high is not simply saying he is someone who lives in an elevated heavenly residence. The context of Isaiah 33 (referenced above) compares the wicked and hypocritical with the righteous, those that “spoilest” and “dealest treacherously” (verse 1) with those that “walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly” (verse 15). Read carefully Isaiah 33:5-6 and 15-16. The Lord says we can go where he dwells if we follow the pattern of righteousness. It is an invitation from one who has done it and made it to one that desires to be there. He is speaking to his church as defined in D&C 10, hand extended, saying, “I will be your rock, I will be your bread, I will be your sure water” (verse 16). “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit” (Isaiah 57:15, emphasis added). 

The context of Isaiah 57 is during the same period as chapter 33, but giving a slightly different view or angle. This time, the Lord is comparing the curses of the “seed of the adulterer and the whore” (verse 3) with those blessings of he who “putteth his trust in [the Lord]” (verse 13), or in other words those without a covenant from those with a covenant. In this context the Lord says, “I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite” (verse 15). There is a duality of meaning here, suggesting both a residence and revival in the holy places in heaven as well as the “holy mountain”, called Zion, for those who endure. The Lord will raise us up both to Zion and eventually to heaven.

The use of these words in D&C 1:1 sets a pattern that draws our minds to a future hope of salvation in the Lord's Zion but also centers the Lords words in this section on a setting of his final coming as portrayed through Isaiah’s grand vision. It is like the Lord is waving a flag to draw attention to this link between the Doctrine & Covenants (particularly section 1) and Isaiah's prophetic outline of the second coming of Christ. It is linking our time with his. The message is interwoven and becomes one.

As God is looking down at us, are our eyes turned up to his?