His Chracteristics

George Reynolds, Janne M. Sjodahl

In Isaiah 9:6 four names of the Messiah are given:

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

In the Pearl of Great Price, Moses 7:35, these names appear:

I am [Jehovah?] God,

Man of Holiness,

Man of Counsel,

Endless and Eternal.

Here (Is. 11:2) are four characteristics of the Messiah. He was endowed with—

The Spirit of the Lord,

The Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding,

The Spirit of Counsel and Might,

The Spirit of Knowledge and the Fear of the Lord.

The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jesus at his baptism (John 1:32-34). Through the influence and guidance of the Divine Spirit he had wisdom to recognize the difference between right and wrong, truth and error, and understanding to do what is right and avoid what is wrong.

He had the Spirit of “counsel and might”; he was resourceful and strong in difficulties, and he had the loving fear of the Father, which is founded on a knowledge of his Fatherhood. (v. 2) The Messiah, by the guidance of the Spirit, is also “quick” of understanding: sensitive and exact in judgment. He is not deceived by those who falsely profess to fear the Lord. (v. 3) He sees the heart and judges accordingly. The poor and those who are humble are the special objects of his care. (vv. 4 and 5) For their benefit he will “smite the earth with the ‘rod’ of his mouth,” or,—which is the same—“the breath of his lips,” as did Moses when he sent plagues on Egypt, waving the rod of Aaron, as the symbol of the power of the Almighty. (Ex. 7 et seq.) Note that the “sword” of the Messiah is the “rod of his mouth,” his word, his gospel, and that his “armour” is righteousness and faithfulness. There are no other sure roads to peace in the world.

Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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