“John [the Baptist] . . . Came into the World . . . to Bear Witness of the Light, . . . Even the Son of God”
Joseph Smith Translation, John 1:6–10
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came into the world for a witness, to bear witness of the light, to bear record of the gospel through the Son, unto all, that through him men might believe.
8 He was not that light, but came to bear witness of that light,
9 Which was the true light, which lighteth every man who cometh into the world;
10 Even the Son of God. He who was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Doctrine and Covenants 93:10
10 The worlds were made by him; men were made by him; all things were made by him, and through him, and of him.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote:
“At this point the Gospel account acclaims: ‘There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came into the world for a witness, to bear witness of the light, to bear record of the gospel through the Son, unto all, that through him men might believe’ [JST, John 1:6–7]. John knew and understood the gospel and the plan of salvation. He came, and he knew he came, so that all men might believe in the Son and be saved. The depth and breadth and height of his teachings compare with those of Enoch and Moses and Joseph Smith.
“‘He was not that light,’ the account continues, ‘but came to bear witness of that light, which was the true light, which lighteth every man who cometh into the world; even the Son of God’ [JST, John 1:8–10]. Christ is the Light, the one to whom all men must turn for salvation; the word and the truth that comes from Him will save men. All of His prophets, even John, send forth only a reflection of the greater light. ‘The worlds were made by him; men were made by him’—meaning as He acted by divine investiture of authority from His Father—‘all things were made by him, and through him, and of him’ [D&C 93:10] the Baptist said.”
(The Mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary, 4 vols. [1979–81], 1:428–29.)
