Alpha and Omega Males
A Meditation on the Beginning of Doctrine and Covenants 19
In his history, the Prophet Joseph Smith introduced the revelation now contained in Doctrine and Covenants 19 as “a commandment of God and not of man, to Martin Harris, given by him who is Eternal.” Now that we better understand the background to this section (see here and here), perhaps we can better understand how the Lord’s commandment to Martin Harris also applies to us.
Although it appears that Martin Harris’ insistence, his badgering of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and his repeated requests for “a commandment” from the Lord were problematic, we are also indebted to Martin Harris for this revelation.
Martin’s insistence reminds me of instances in the New Testament when certain individuals asked the Lord questions that might make us cringe, question such as: Who is my neighbor? or What lack I yet? The Lord graciously responded to even the worst questions, and His gracious but firm response to Martin Harris is an eternal treasure.
The Lord begins this revelation by teaching Martin Harris and the rest of us who He is, what He has done, why He did it, and what He will yet do:
I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord; yea, even I am he, the beginning and the end, the Redeemer of the world.
I, having accomplished and finished the will of him whose I am, even the Father, concerning me—having done this that I might subdue all things unto myself—
Retaining all power, even to the destroying of Satan and his works at the end of the world, and the last great day of judgment, which I shall pass upon the inhabitants thereof, judging every man according to his works and the deeds which he hath done. (D&C 19:1-3)
Throughout this section the Lord repeatedly emphasizes His eternal nature. He uses the word “eternal” twice, the word “endless” six times, and other phrases that describe His eternal nature such as “Alpha and Omega,” and “the beginning and the end.” Why does He do this?
Why does the Lord first introduce Himself by His title “Alpha and Omega”? What does “Alpha and Omega” mean?
Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet; Omega is the last. They are also names given to Jesus Christ and are used as symbols to show that Christ is both the beginning and the end (Rev. 1:8; D&C 19:1).
Our Savior has many names and titles, each replete with meaning. In the first chapter of the Gospel of John in the New Testament, the beloved disciple testifies that
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:1-5)
I find it significant that among our Savior’s titles, He is known as “the Word” and “Alpha and Omega.” The Gospel of John was written in Greek, and in it we learn that Jesus Christ is “the Word” or “ho Logos.” Because Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet, and Omega is the last letter in the Greek alphabet, Jesus Christ, “the Word” or “ho Logos” is also “the beginning and the end.”
The Lord’s introduction to this revelation in D&C 19 may have reminded Martin Harris that he was not just requesting “a commandment” from Joseph Smith or a mere mortal. The source of this revelation was and is Jesus Christ, “the Word” or “ho Logos,” and the “Alpha and Omega” of the New Testament. For His English speaking audience, the Lord clarified the meaning of “Alpha and Omega”: “the beginning and the end.”
For His Hebrew speaking audience in the Old Testament, the Lord revealed His name to Moses:
And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you. (Exodus 3:13-14)
Thus Jesus Christ is also the pre-mortal Jehovah, the Great I Am. (אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶֽהְיֶ֑ה) How else could our Savior, Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord, the beginning and the end, the Redeemer of the world, the Word, “ho Logos,” the Great I Am, Him who is Eternal, introduce this revelation to Martin Harris?
These titles of our Savior, whether in Greek (“the Word” or “ho Logos,” “Alpha and Omega”), in Hebrew (Jehovah, I Am That I Am), in English (Christ the Lord, the beginning and the end, and the Redeemer of the world), or in any other language, remind me that He is Eternal. There are not enough letters in any alphabet or enough words in any language to adequately describe or praise Him. Because our finite mortal minds cannot fully grasp the meaning of eternity, and because mortal language falls short of describing eternity, titles such as Alpha and Omega and the beginning and the end must suffice.
As a side note on the meaning of Alpha and Omega, I believe that this title of Jesus Christ can inspire modern men to become more Christlike. There is much debate and contention in modern society over the meaning of manliness and masculinity. Much praise or blame, for example, is heaped upon so-called “alpha males,” men who are perceived to be assertive, successful, dominant, and powerful.
As I observe the world of men and as I watch many of my good brothers attempt to augment their manliness or masculinity (mostly to please women) through various means, such as lifting weights, growing beards, wearing suits, climbing social ladders, amassing wealth, and so forth, I can’t help but think that their time would be better spent in efforts to become “Alpha and Omega males,” or men of Christ, rather than mere “alpha males.” While I certainly endorse weight lifting, beard growing, suit wearing, and noble work as worthwhile, healthy, masculine activities, and while I properly praise manliness and spiritedness, Jesus Christ, Alpha and Omega, offers us the perfect Example of manliness and invites us to become Alpha and Omega men, or men like Him:
Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am. (3 Nephi 27:27)
Why do you think Jesus Christ is called “the beginning and the end”? (verse 1)
One possible answer to this question is that Jesus Christ, the Word, was with God in the beginning, and began His work, and He also accomplished and finished the will of His Father. Another possible answer to this question is that Jesus Christ is the Creator of the world and all things, and He is also the Redeemer, the purpose or end of all creation.
Why was it important for Martin Harris to know that Jesus Christ is eternal, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, and the Redeemer of the world?
One possible answer to this question is that Martin Harris seemed to be concerned about temporary and fleeting problems, whether or not the Book of Mormon would sell, what his wife would think, what would happen to his farm, etc., and the Lord, He who is Eternal, taught him to prioritize that which is eternal.
A pattern that I see in many revelations is that as important as the answers to mortal questions are, the Lord often emphasizes that revelations of the truth concerning Himself are even more important than His answers to other questions. In other words, as much as Martin Harris wanted “a commandment,” and as much as the Lord was willing to reveal “a commandment,” it was even more important for Martin Harris to know the Source of the commandment.
This is something to keep in mind as we continue our study of D&C 19.