Exmo-Robertson
July 2nd 2003, 03:30 PM
The following is a list of descriptions and terms that in the end lead up to a little known teaching of the LDS Church-The Church of the Firstborn. Before someone accuses me of simply reprinting something from an "anti-mormon" site, let me tell you these definitions and report came from Richard Ware, a Mormon apologist. I bought this report at the BYU bookstore in Provo.
WORDS & PHRASES WHICH DIRECTLY RELATE TO THE DOCTRINE OF MAKING YOUR CALLING & ELECTION SURE
Making Your Calling & Election Sure
The phrase is only mentioned once in the scriptures: 2 Peter 1:10. “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”
In the pre-earth life the whole house of Israel was “called and elected” to the blessings of baptism, the priesthood, all the temple blessings, and to the blessings of exaltation and eternal life, IF they would prove their valiance once on earth. We were all promised there that these would be our blessings if we followed the path of righteousness upon the earth. Many of those promised blessings have come true for us. We have been baptized, received the priesthood and been married in the temple. But we were also called and elected to receive eternal life, and that is the precise blessing that we must now “make secure” or “make sure”. Our calling and election unto eternal life must now be made sure by us if we are to gain exaltation. (Bruce R. McConkie, BYU Address, March 25, 1969, pp. 4-5)
The More Sure Word of Prophecy
This phrase, like calling and election, comes from 2 Peter. In verse 19 we read: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy....” By revelation the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote
concerning this phrase: “The more word of prophecy means a man’s knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood. It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.” (H.C. 5:392-93; D&C 131:5-6)
In the pre-earth life we were given a “word of prophecy” or a word of blessing upon our heads that we would obtain all the blessings of the gospel, even eternal life, if we followed
the path of righteousness once on earth. In order to make that word of prophecy “more sure” we must follow the righteous path that will remove the conditional clause and make the blessings unconditional to us.
We may know that we are sealed up to eternal life “by revelation and the spirit of prophecy” and “through the power of the Holy Priesthood.” The heavens must declare that we are sealed up to eternal life, and then through the ordinances of the temple this blessing is sealed upon us by the priesthood. Such anointings and blessings are above the ordinance of temple marriage. “The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected and made sure.” (TPJS, p 323)
The Holy Spirit of Promise
Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained:
When the Holy Spirit of Promise places his ratifying seal upon a baptism, or a marriage, or any covenant, except that of having one’s calling and election made sure, the seal is a conditional approval or ratification; it is binding in eternity only in the event of subsequent obedience to the terms and conditions of whatever covenant is involved.
But when the ratifying seal of approval is placed upon someone whose calling and election is thereby made sure---because there are no more conditions to be met by the obedient person ---this act of being sealed up unto eternal life is of such transcendent import that of itself it is called being sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, which means that in this crowning sense, being so sealed is the same as having one’s calling and election made sure. Thus, to be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise is to be sealed up unto eternal life; and to be sealed up unto eternal life is to be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. And of this usage of terms, a usage which is wholly misunderstood unless the whole concept of the sealing power of the Spirit is understood, the scriptures and other prophetic utterances bear repeated witness. (DNTC 3:335- 36)
In Section 88 of the Doctrine and Covenants the Holy Spirit of Promise is called the “other Comforter” which “is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the
celestial kingdom; Which glory is that of the church of the Firstborn, even of God, the holiest of all, through Jesus Christ his Son---.” (vs. 3-5) This promise of eternal life rests within the heart and soul of the individual who has been sealed up, and it gives peace and security to him, and is an anchor to the soul in times of trial and difficulty. This is the second comforter of promise, not of presence, which is Jesus Christ himself. Although the Savior will not be able to always reside with an individual, the Holy Spirit of promise can, and will.
The Church of the Firstborn
Jesus Christ is the “firstborn” in the spirit of Heavenly Father. This church calls itself after this concept of Christ being the firstborn. It is composed of individuals who have been sealed up unto eternal life, whether they are alive on earth, or whether they are in the spirit world. No matter where they dwell, they all belong to the same church. Joseph Smith repeatedly talked about coming into the presence of “the general assembly and church of the firstborn” (TPJS, pp 320-21).
Elder McConkie states that “members of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints who so devote themselves to righteousness that they receive the higher ordinances of exaltation become members of the Church of the Firstborn.” He states that “celestial marriage is the gate to membership in the church of the Firstborn, the inner circle of faithful saints who are heirs of exaltation and the fulness of the Fathers kingdom.”
(Mor Doc, p. 139)
These elect people “comprise a very select group, an inner circle of faithful members” of the Church. These people have received the priesthood, and have been endowed in the temple of the Lord” and have entered “into that ‘order of the priesthood’
names the ‘new and everlasting covenant of marriage’ and overcome by faith until, as the sons of God, they merit membership in the Church of the Firstborn.” (Mor Doc, pp 200-02)
Being married in the temple for time and all eternity does not make an individual a member of the church of the Firstborn. Temple marriage is only the GATE which leads to membership to that kingdom. The “higher ordinances of exaltation” must first be
administered to the individual, just as baptism and confirmation must be administered to in order to become members of the earthly Church of Jesus Christ. Membership to the church of the Firstborn is obtained by an “anointing and sealing” for “the anointing and sealing is to be called, elected and made sure.” (TPJS, p 323). In the temple “this room [the Holy of Holies] is reserved for the higher ordinances in the Priesthood relating to the exaltation of both living and dead.” (The House of the Lord, J. E. Talmage, p. 163). Note that ordinances in that room are administered to both the living and the dead (by proxy) and have to do with our exaltation.
In August of 1931, Elder Joseph Fielding Smith stated that after a person has been baptized into the church, and after “he has proved himself by a worthy life, having been faithful in all things required of him, then it is his privilege to receive other covenants and to take upon himself other obligations which will make of him an heir, and he will become a member of the ‘Church of the Firstborn.’ Into his hands, ‘the Father has given all things.’
He will be a priest and a king, receiving of the Father’s fulness and of his glory.” Then Elder Smith asks the question: “Is this worth having? * * * The fulness of these blessings can only be obtained in the temple of the Lord!” (Way to Perfection, p. 208)
The Fulness of the PriesthoodKing & Priest/Queen & Priestess
Within the gospel context, all who make their calling and election sure and are thus sealed up to eternal life become a king and a priest. A king wears a crown, therefore Joseph asked
the question: “Have you a promise of receiving a crown of righteousness from the hand of the Lord, with the Church of the Firstborn?” (TPJS, pp 63-66).
“Those who have kept the faith will be crowned with a crown of righteousness; be clothed in white raiment; be admitted to the marriage feast; be free from every affliction; and reign with Christ on the earth.” (Ibid). A king “rules” and a priest “reigns”. Thus the faithful will “rule and reign in the House of Israel forever.” * * * “If the Saints are not to reign, for what purpose are they
crowned?” (TPJS, p 64)
To the Relief Society sisters in Nauvoo, the Prophet Joseph stated that “the Lord was going to make of the Church of Jesus Christ a kingdom of Priests, a holy people, a chosen generation, as in Enoch’s day.” (H.C. 4:570) President Brigham Young commented that “for any person to have the fullness of that priesthood (Melchizedek) he must be a king and priest.” (H.C. 5:527) “Those holding the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood are kings and priests of the Most High God, holding the keys of power and blessings.”
To become a king and a priest was something that Joseph Smith wanted every man to receive, not just the apostles. The gospel will elevate every righteous man to the level of a king. He said that we “have got to learn how to be Gods” and “to be kings and priests to God, the same as all the Gods have done before” us. (TPJS, pp 346- 47) “The fulness of the priesthood includes the authority of both king and priest.” * * * “Such as have not received the fulness of the priesthood, and have not been anointed and ordained in the temple of the Most High, may obtain salvation in the celestial kingdom, but not a celestial crown. Many
are called to enjoy a celestial glory, yet few are chosen to wear a celestial crown, or rather, to be rulers in the celestial kingdom.” (Elder Orson Hyde, M.S. IX,2-Jan 15, 1847, pp 23-4) “All men who will may receive salvation and exaltation and the sealing powers.” (D.S. 2:122) “The spirits of just men are made ministering servants to those who are sealed unto life eternal, and it is through them that the sealing power comes down.” (H.C. 6:51-52) To receive a fulness of the priesthood is to gain a fulness of the sealing power, the same power which Elijah restored to the earth on April 3, 1836 in the Kirtland temple. Every one who is “ordained after this order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God; to do all things according to his will, according to his command, subdue principalities and powers; and this by the will of the Son of God.” (IV Gen 14:26-35)
Those who are kings and queens then have the right to build up their own “kingdoms” through two processes: (1) by giving birth to their own children, and; (2) by adopting individuals into their family.
In old testament times all kings were anointed with holy oil as they assumed their office of king. And so it is today. All who become kings are anointed, and to become a priest you are
ordained. “Such as have...not be anointed and ordained in the temple of the Most High, may obtain salvation in the celestial kingdom, but not a celestial crown.” (O Hyde, Ibid). The anointing and ordaining is done in the Holy of Holies by one who is authorized by the Prophet to perform the ordinances. These higher blessings are above those of temple marriage, and are the ordinances by which an individual is sealed up to eternal life.
Peace In This World/Eternal Life In World To Come
Jesus spoke of a peace that the world could not give. He said:
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” (John 14:27). In a revelation to Joseph Smith the Lord said that an individual could obtain “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.” (D&C 59:23)
The peace spoken of is a result of having the second comforter of promise with the soul of the individual. This promise and guarantee of eternal life is like an anchor to the soul in troubled times. For the knowledge is there that one day he will receive eternal life in the world to come. “He who obtains it will obtain an exaltation in the celestial kingdom of our Father in heaven. . . They are they who are the church of the Firstborn.” (M. G. Romney, Imp. Era, Nov. 1949, pp. 719, 752, 754). “This gift of eternal life in the world to come many not, of course, be fully realized during earth life. An assurance that it will be obtained in the world to come may, however, be had in this world. As a matter of fact, the blessings of the celestial kingdom are promised only to those who have such an assurance.” * * * “The
Prophet Joseph taught that one so sealed would have within himself an assurance born of the spirit, that he would obtain eternal life in the world to come. He urgently and repeatedly admonished the Saints of his day to obtain such an assurance by making their calling and election sure. It is this assurance within a person which brings to him the peace in this world which will sustain him in every tribulation. * * *These fruits of the gospel---assurance that we shall obtain eternal life, peace in this world sustained by such an assurance, and finally eternal life in the world to come---are within the
reach of us all.” (M. G. Romney, Ibid). “Through self-discipline and devotion we must demonstrate to the Lord that we are willing to serve him under all circumstances. When we have done this, we shall receive an assurance that we shall have eternal life in the world to come. Then we shall have peace in this world.” (Ibid).
[b]The Second Comforter
The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “There are two comforters spoken of. One is the Holy Ghost. * * * The other Comforter spoken of. . .is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ
Himself; and. . .when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or to appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him....” (TPJS pp 149-151). “If a man gets knowledge enough to have the companionship of the Son of God, the chances are his call and election would be sure.” (D.S. 1:55) The first comforter then is the Holy Ghost, while the second one is the
Lord himself.
Son & Daughter of God
“The destiny of the faithful man in this Church and the faithful woman is to become a son and daughter of God. * * * Now how are we going to become the sons of God and, of course, daughters as well? How is it done? Can we become the sons and heirs of our Eternal Father simply by being baptized for the remission of our sins after we have repented and have had faith, and have had hands laid upon us for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and have come into the Church? No, it takes more than that. Why, of course they are the children of our Father in heaven, those who do that, as are the people who are outside of the Church; but to become the sons and daughters of God, children, ‘heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ,’ we must suffer with him, that we may be glorified with him. In other words,
we must receive in our hearts, accept in our hearts, every principle of the gospel which has been revealed; and insofar as it is in our power to do so, we must live in accordance with these principles and keep the commandments of God in full. * * * If you would become a son or a daughter of God and an heir of the kingdom, then you must go to the house of the Lord and receive blessings which there can be obtained and which cannot be obtained elsewhere; and you must keep those commandments and those covenants to the end. * * * The ordinances of the temple, the endowment and sealings, pertain to exaltation in the celestial kingdom, where the sons and daughters are. The sons and daughters are not outside in some other kingdom. * * * Sons and daughters have access to the home where he dwells, and you cannot receive that access until you go the temple. * * * You know what it says about servants in the scriptures. Those who become servants are those who are not willing to receive these blessings in the house of the Lord and abide in them. They are not sons; they are not daughters. They are children of God, it is true, for all men are his children. But they do not inherit, and therefore they remain servants throughout eternity. * * * As sons and daughters then, we are heirs of his kingdom and shall receive by right the fulness of the gospel and be entitled to the great blessings and privileges which the Lord in his mercy has revealed to us in the dispensation of the fulness of times.” (D.S. 2:37-41)
The Elect of God
“The elect of God comprise a very select group, an inner circle of faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are the portion of church members who are striving with all their hearts to keep the fulness of the gospel law in this life so that they can become inheritors of the fulness of gospel rewards in the life to come. As far as the male sex is concerned, they are the ones, the Lord says, who have the Melchizedek Priesthood conferred upon them and who thereafter magnify their callings and are sanctified by the Spirit. In this way, ”They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.” They keep “the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood,” and are rewarded with the fulness of the Father’s
kingdom.” (D&C 84:33-41; B. R. McConkie, Mor Doc, p 217)
“To gain this elect status they must be endowed in the temple of the Lord (D&C 95:8), enter into that ‘order of the priesthood’ named ‘the new and everlasting covenant of marriage’ (D&C 131:1-4), and overcome by faith until, as the sons of God, they merit membership in the Church of the Firstborn.” (D&C 76:50-70, 94-96; Mor Doc, p 218).
“An elect lady is a female member of the Church who has already received, or who through obedience is qualified to receive, the fulness of gospel blessings. This includes temple endowments, celestial marriage, and the fulness of the sealing power. She is one who has been elected or chosen by faithfulness as a daughter of God in this life, an heir of God, a
member of his household. Her position is comparable to that of the elders who magnify their callings in the priesthood and thereby receive all that the Father hath.” (D&C 84:38; Mor Doc, p 217)
Your Life Is Hid With Christ
The New Testament recorded an interesting phrase which the Prophet Joseph picked up on and applied to William Clayton. In Col 3:3 it says: “. . .and your life is hid with Christ in God.” The Prophet Joseph, on May 16, 1843, while speaking with brother William Clayton, said to him: “Your life is hid with Christ in God, and so are many others. Nothing but the unpardonable sin can prevent you from inheriting eternal life for you are sealed up by the power of the Priesthood unto eternal life.” (H.C. 5:391-92)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie indicated that this meant that “your calling and election has been made sure; you have been sealed up unto eternal life; the Lord has said unto you, ‘Son thou shalt be exalted’; you have received the more sure word of prophecy.” (B. R. McConkie, DNTC 3:34-35)
Joint-Heir With Christ
“As the literal Son of God---the Firstborn in the spirit, the Only Begotten in the flesh---Christ is the natural heir of his Father. It thus became his right to inherit, receive, and possess all that his Father had. (John 16:15) And his Father is possessor of all things: the universe; all power, wisdom, and goodness; the fulness of truth and knowledge; and an infinity of all good attributes. By heirship and obedience, going from grace to grace, the Son attained these same things. (D&C 93:5-17)
“By obedience to the fulness of gospel law, righteous men are adopted into the family of God so that they also become heirs, joint-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:14-18; Gal 3:26-29; 4:1-7), inheritors of all that the Father hath. (D&C 84:33-41) * * * A joint-heir is one who inherits equally with all other heirs including the Chief Heir who is the Son. Each joint-heir has an equal and an undivided portion of the whole of everything. If one knows all things, so do all others. If one has all power, so do all those who inherit jointly with him. If the universe belongs to one, so it does equally to the total of all upon whom the joint inheritances are bestowed.” (B. R. McConkie, Mor Doc, pp 394-95)
Joseph Smith commented that the object of the gospel was “the bringing of men back into the presence of the King of heaven, crowning them in the celestial glory, and making them
heirs with the Son to that inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and which fadeth not away.” (H.C. 2:5) Those who are the spirits of just men made perfect “minister to the heirs
of salvation, both in this world and in the world of spirits.” (P. P. Pratt, Key To Theology, p 116) “All men who become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ will have to receive the fulness of the ordinances of his kingdom.” (H.C. 5:423-24) “The Church of the Firstborn is made up of the sons of God, those who have been adopted into the family of the Lord, those who are destined to be joint-heirs with Christ in receiving all that the Father hath.” (Mor Doc, p 139)
Spirits of Just Men Made Perfect
On August 13, 1843 Joseph Smith first made reference to the “spirits of just men made perfect”. A few months later on October 9th he commented that “The Hebrew Church ‘came
unto the spirits of just men made perfect, and unto an innumerable company of angels, unto God the Father of all, and to Jesus Christ the Mediator of the new covenant.’ What did they
learn by coming to the spirits of just men made perfect? * * * What object was gained by this communication with the spirits of the just?” Joseph explains that “angels” have bodies and are “advanced further” than spirits. He then explains that “The spirits of just men are made ministering servants to those who are sealed unto life eternal, and it is through them that the sealing power comes down.” (TPJS, p 325)
The spirits of just men made perfect currently reside in the spirit world and minister to heirs of salvation. They are those, who, while they lived upon the earth, were sealed up to eternal life thus making their calling and election sure; or, they had endured to the end of mortal life obeying all the gospel laws and upon their death they were “made perfect” and were promised eternal life at that time.
Dana:"The Title of “Friend” and the topic of "Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen" along with his summary were next. Due to the limitations of post and the rules of this forum, I deleted those portions I cut them to comply with policy and fit in the space allowed. If Dee Dee gives me permission, I will be glad to print the final thoughts.
WORDS & PHRASES WHICH DIRECTLY RELATE TO THE DOCTRINE OF MAKING YOUR CALLING & ELECTION SURE
Making Your Calling & Election Sure
The phrase is only mentioned once in the scriptures: 2 Peter 1:10. “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”
In the pre-earth life the whole house of Israel was “called and elected” to the blessings of baptism, the priesthood, all the temple blessings, and to the blessings of exaltation and eternal life, IF they would prove their valiance once on earth. We were all promised there that these would be our blessings if we followed the path of righteousness upon the earth. Many of those promised blessings have come true for us. We have been baptized, received the priesthood and been married in the temple. But we were also called and elected to receive eternal life, and that is the precise blessing that we must now “make secure” or “make sure”. Our calling and election unto eternal life must now be made sure by us if we are to gain exaltation. (Bruce R. McConkie, BYU Address, March 25, 1969, pp. 4-5)
The More Sure Word of Prophecy
This phrase, like calling and election, comes from 2 Peter. In verse 19 we read: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy....” By revelation the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote
concerning this phrase: “The more word of prophecy means a man’s knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood. It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.” (H.C. 5:392-93; D&C 131:5-6)
In the pre-earth life we were given a “word of prophecy” or a word of blessing upon our heads that we would obtain all the blessings of the gospel, even eternal life, if we followed
the path of righteousness once on earth. In order to make that word of prophecy “more sure” we must follow the righteous path that will remove the conditional clause and make the blessings unconditional to us.
We may know that we are sealed up to eternal life “by revelation and the spirit of prophecy” and “through the power of the Holy Priesthood.” The heavens must declare that we are sealed up to eternal life, and then through the ordinances of the temple this blessing is sealed upon us by the priesthood. Such anointings and blessings are above the ordinance of temple marriage. “The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected and made sure.” (TPJS, p 323)
The Holy Spirit of Promise
Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained:
When the Holy Spirit of Promise places his ratifying seal upon a baptism, or a marriage, or any covenant, except that of having one’s calling and election made sure, the seal is a conditional approval or ratification; it is binding in eternity only in the event of subsequent obedience to the terms and conditions of whatever covenant is involved.
But when the ratifying seal of approval is placed upon someone whose calling and election is thereby made sure---because there are no more conditions to be met by the obedient person ---this act of being sealed up unto eternal life is of such transcendent import that of itself it is called being sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, which means that in this crowning sense, being so sealed is the same as having one’s calling and election made sure. Thus, to be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise is to be sealed up unto eternal life; and to be sealed up unto eternal life is to be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. And of this usage of terms, a usage which is wholly misunderstood unless the whole concept of the sealing power of the Spirit is understood, the scriptures and other prophetic utterances bear repeated witness. (DNTC 3:335- 36)
In Section 88 of the Doctrine and Covenants the Holy Spirit of Promise is called the “other Comforter” which “is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the
celestial kingdom; Which glory is that of the church of the Firstborn, even of God, the holiest of all, through Jesus Christ his Son---.” (vs. 3-5) This promise of eternal life rests within the heart and soul of the individual who has been sealed up, and it gives peace and security to him, and is an anchor to the soul in times of trial and difficulty. This is the second comforter of promise, not of presence, which is Jesus Christ himself. Although the Savior will not be able to always reside with an individual, the Holy Spirit of promise can, and will.
The Church of the Firstborn
Jesus Christ is the “firstborn” in the spirit of Heavenly Father. This church calls itself after this concept of Christ being the firstborn. It is composed of individuals who have been sealed up unto eternal life, whether they are alive on earth, or whether they are in the spirit world. No matter where they dwell, they all belong to the same church. Joseph Smith repeatedly talked about coming into the presence of “the general assembly and church of the firstborn” (TPJS, pp 320-21).
Elder McConkie states that “members of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints who so devote themselves to righteousness that they receive the higher ordinances of exaltation become members of the Church of the Firstborn.” He states that “celestial marriage is the gate to membership in the church of the Firstborn, the inner circle of faithful saints who are heirs of exaltation and the fulness of the Fathers kingdom.”
(Mor Doc, p. 139)
These elect people “comprise a very select group, an inner circle of faithful members” of the Church. These people have received the priesthood, and have been endowed in the temple of the Lord” and have entered “into that ‘order of the priesthood’
names the ‘new and everlasting covenant of marriage’ and overcome by faith until, as the sons of God, they merit membership in the Church of the Firstborn.” (Mor Doc, pp 200-02)
Being married in the temple for time and all eternity does not make an individual a member of the church of the Firstborn. Temple marriage is only the GATE which leads to membership to that kingdom. The “higher ordinances of exaltation” must first be
administered to the individual, just as baptism and confirmation must be administered to in order to become members of the earthly Church of Jesus Christ. Membership to the church of the Firstborn is obtained by an “anointing and sealing” for “the anointing and sealing is to be called, elected and made sure.” (TPJS, p 323). In the temple “this room [the Holy of Holies] is reserved for the higher ordinances in the Priesthood relating to the exaltation of both living and dead.” (The House of the Lord, J. E. Talmage, p. 163). Note that ordinances in that room are administered to both the living and the dead (by proxy) and have to do with our exaltation.
In August of 1931, Elder Joseph Fielding Smith stated that after a person has been baptized into the church, and after “he has proved himself by a worthy life, having been faithful in all things required of him, then it is his privilege to receive other covenants and to take upon himself other obligations which will make of him an heir, and he will become a member of the ‘Church of the Firstborn.’ Into his hands, ‘the Father has given all things.’
He will be a priest and a king, receiving of the Father’s fulness and of his glory.” Then Elder Smith asks the question: “Is this worth having? * * * The fulness of these blessings can only be obtained in the temple of the Lord!” (Way to Perfection, p. 208)
The Fulness of the PriesthoodKing & Priest/Queen & Priestess
Within the gospel context, all who make their calling and election sure and are thus sealed up to eternal life become a king and a priest. A king wears a crown, therefore Joseph asked
the question: “Have you a promise of receiving a crown of righteousness from the hand of the Lord, with the Church of the Firstborn?” (TPJS, pp 63-66).
“Those who have kept the faith will be crowned with a crown of righteousness; be clothed in white raiment; be admitted to the marriage feast; be free from every affliction; and reign with Christ on the earth.” (Ibid). A king “rules” and a priest “reigns”. Thus the faithful will “rule and reign in the House of Israel forever.” * * * “If the Saints are not to reign, for what purpose are they
crowned?” (TPJS, p 64)
To the Relief Society sisters in Nauvoo, the Prophet Joseph stated that “the Lord was going to make of the Church of Jesus Christ a kingdom of Priests, a holy people, a chosen generation, as in Enoch’s day.” (H.C. 4:570) President Brigham Young commented that “for any person to have the fullness of that priesthood (Melchizedek) he must be a king and priest.” (H.C. 5:527) “Those holding the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood are kings and priests of the Most High God, holding the keys of power and blessings.”
To become a king and a priest was something that Joseph Smith wanted every man to receive, not just the apostles. The gospel will elevate every righteous man to the level of a king. He said that we “have got to learn how to be Gods” and “to be kings and priests to God, the same as all the Gods have done before” us. (TPJS, pp 346- 47) “The fulness of the priesthood includes the authority of both king and priest.” * * * “Such as have not received the fulness of the priesthood, and have not been anointed and ordained in the temple of the Most High, may obtain salvation in the celestial kingdom, but not a celestial crown. Many
are called to enjoy a celestial glory, yet few are chosen to wear a celestial crown, or rather, to be rulers in the celestial kingdom.” (Elder Orson Hyde, M.S. IX,2-Jan 15, 1847, pp 23-4) “All men who will may receive salvation and exaltation and the sealing powers.” (D.S. 2:122) “The spirits of just men are made ministering servants to those who are sealed unto life eternal, and it is through them that the sealing power comes down.” (H.C. 6:51-52) To receive a fulness of the priesthood is to gain a fulness of the sealing power, the same power which Elijah restored to the earth on April 3, 1836 in the Kirtland temple. Every one who is “ordained after this order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God; to do all things according to his will, according to his command, subdue principalities and powers; and this by the will of the Son of God.” (IV Gen 14:26-35)
Those who are kings and queens then have the right to build up their own “kingdoms” through two processes: (1) by giving birth to their own children, and; (2) by adopting individuals into their family.
In old testament times all kings were anointed with holy oil as they assumed their office of king. And so it is today. All who become kings are anointed, and to become a priest you are
ordained. “Such as have...not be anointed and ordained in the temple of the Most High, may obtain salvation in the celestial kingdom, but not a celestial crown.” (O Hyde, Ibid). The anointing and ordaining is done in the Holy of Holies by one who is authorized by the Prophet to perform the ordinances. These higher blessings are above those of temple marriage, and are the ordinances by which an individual is sealed up to eternal life.
Peace In This World/Eternal Life In World To Come
Jesus spoke of a peace that the world could not give. He said:
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” (John 14:27). In a revelation to Joseph Smith the Lord said that an individual could obtain “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.” (D&C 59:23)
The peace spoken of is a result of having the second comforter of promise with the soul of the individual. This promise and guarantee of eternal life is like an anchor to the soul in troubled times. For the knowledge is there that one day he will receive eternal life in the world to come. “He who obtains it will obtain an exaltation in the celestial kingdom of our Father in heaven. . . They are they who are the church of the Firstborn.” (M. G. Romney, Imp. Era, Nov. 1949, pp. 719, 752, 754). “This gift of eternal life in the world to come many not, of course, be fully realized during earth life. An assurance that it will be obtained in the world to come may, however, be had in this world. As a matter of fact, the blessings of the celestial kingdom are promised only to those who have such an assurance.” * * * “The
Prophet Joseph taught that one so sealed would have within himself an assurance born of the spirit, that he would obtain eternal life in the world to come. He urgently and repeatedly admonished the Saints of his day to obtain such an assurance by making their calling and election sure. It is this assurance within a person which brings to him the peace in this world which will sustain him in every tribulation. * * *These fruits of the gospel---assurance that we shall obtain eternal life, peace in this world sustained by such an assurance, and finally eternal life in the world to come---are within the
reach of us all.” (M. G. Romney, Ibid). “Through self-discipline and devotion we must demonstrate to the Lord that we are willing to serve him under all circumstances. When we have done this, we shall receive an assurance that we shall have eternal life in the world to come. Then we shall have peace in this world.” (Ibid).
[b]The Second Comforter
The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “There are two comforters spoken of. One is the Holy Ghost. * * * The other Comforter spoken of. . .is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ
Himself; and. . .when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or to appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him....” (TPJS pp 149-151). “If a man gets knowledge enough to have the companionship of the Son of God, the chances are his call and election would be sure.” (D.S. 1:55) The first comforter then is the Holy Ghost, while the second one is the
Lord himself.
Son & Daughter of God
“The destiny of the faithful man in this Church and the faithful woman is to become a son and daughter of God. * * * Now how are we going to become the sons of God and, of course, daughters as well? How is it done? Can we become the sons and heirs of our Eternal Father simply by being baptized for the remission of our sins after we have repented and have had faith, and have had hands laid upon us for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and have come into the Church? No, it takes more than that. Why, of course they are the children of our Father in heaven, those who do that, as are the people who are outside of the Church; but to become the sons and daughters of God, children, ‘heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ,’ we must suffer with him, that we may be glorified with him. In other words,
we must receive in our hearts, accept in our hearts, every principle of the gospel which has been revealed; and insofar as it is in our power to do so, we must live in accordance with these principles and keep the commandments of God in full. * * * If you would become a son or a daughter of God and an heir of the kingdom, then you must go to the house of the Lord and receive blessings which there can be obtained and which cannot be obtained elsewhere; and you must keep those commandments and those covenants to the end. * * * The ordinances of the temple, the endowment and sealings, pertain to exaltation in the celestial kingdom, where the sons and daughters are. The sons and daughters are not outside in some other kingdom. * * * Sons and daughters have access to the home where he dwells, and you cannot receive that access until you go the temple. * * * You know what it says about servants in the scriptures. Those who become servants are those who are not willing to receive these blessings in the house of the Lord and abide in them. They are not sons; they are not daughters. They are children of God, it is true, for all men are his children. But they do not inherit, and therefore they remain servants throughout eternity. * * * As sons and daughters then, we are heirs of his kingdom and shall receive by right the fulness of the gospel and be entitled to the great blessings and privileges which the Lord in his mercy has revealed to us in the dispensation of the fulness of times.” (D.S. 2:37-41)
The Elect of God
“The elect of God comprise a very select group, an inner circle of faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are the portion of church members who are striving with all their hearts to keep the fulness of the gospel law in this life so that they can become inheritors of the fulness of gospel rewards in the life to come. As far as the male sex is concerned, they are the ones, the Lord says, who have the Melchizedek Priesthood conferred upon them and who thereafter magnify their callings and are sanctified by the Spirit. In this way, ”They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.” They keep “the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood,” and are rewarded with the fulness of the Father’s
kingdom.” (D&C 84:33-41; B. R. McConkie, Mor Doc, p 217)
“To gain this elect status they must be endowed in the temple of the Lord (D&C 95:8), enter into that ‘order of the priesthood’ named ‘the new and everlasting covenant of marriage’ (D&C 131:1-4), and overcome by faith until, as the sons of God, they merit membership in the Church of the Firstborn.” (D&C 76:50-70, 94-96; Mor Doc, p 218).
“An elect lady is a female member of the Church who has already received, or who through obedience is qualified to receive, the fulness of gospel blessings. This includes temple endowments, celestial marriage, and the fulness of the sealing power. She is one who has been elected or chosen by faithfulness as a daughter of God in this life, an heir of God, a
member of his household. Her position is comparable to that of the elders who magnify their callings in the priesthood and thereby receive all that the Father hath.” (D&C 84:38; Mor Doc, p 217)
Your Life Is Hid With Christ
The New Testament recorded an interesting phrase which the Prophet Joseph picked up on and applied to William Clayton. In Col 3:3 it says: “. . .and your life is hid with Christ in God.” The Prophet Joseph, on May 16, 1843, while speaking with brother William Clayton, said to him: “Your life is hid with Christ in God, and so are many others. Nothing but the unpardonable sin can prevent you from inheriting eternal life for you are sealed up by the power of the Priesthood unto eternal life.” (H.C. 5:391-92)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie indicated that this meant that “your calling and election has been made sure; you have been sealed up unto eternal life; the Lord has said unto you, ‘Son thou shalt be exalted’; you have received the more sure word of prophecy.” (B. R. McConkie, DNTC 3:34-35)
Joint-Heir With Christ
“As the literal Son of God---the Firstborn in the spirit, the Only Begotten in the flesh---Christ is the natural heir of his Father. It thus became his right to inherit, receive, and possess all that his Father had. (John 16:15) And his Father is possessor of all things: the universe; all power, wisdom, and goodness; the fulness of truth and knowledge; and an infinity of all good attributes. By heirship and obedience, going from grace to grace, the Son attained these same things. (D&C 93:5-17)
“By obedience to the fulness of gospel law, righteous men are adopted into the family of God so that they also become heirs, joint-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:14-18; Gal 3:26-29; 4:1-7), inheritors of all that the Father hath. (D&C 84:33-41) * * * A joint-heir is one who inherits equally with all other heirs including the Chief Heir who is the Son. Each joint-heir has an equal and an undivided portion of the whole of everything. If one knows all things, so do all others. If one has all power, so do all those who inherit jointly with him. If the universe belongs to one, so it does equally to the total of all upon whom the joint inheritances are bestowed.” (B. R. McConkie, Mor Doc, pp 394-95)
Joseph Smith commented that the object of the gospel was “the bringing of men back into the presence of the King of heaven, crowning them in the celestial glory, and making them
heirs with the Son to that inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and which fadeth not away.” (H.C. 2:5) Those who are the spirits of just men made perfect “minister to the heirs
of salvation, both in this world and in the world of spirits.” (P. P. Pratt, Key To Theology, p 116) “All men who become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ will have to receive the fulness of the ordinances of his kingdom.” (H.C. 5:423-24) “The Church of the Firstborn is made up of the sons of God, those who have been adopted into the family of the Lord, those who are destined to be joint-heirs with Christ in receiving all that the Father hath.” (Mor Doc, p 139)
Spirits of Just Men Made Perfect
On August 13, 1843 Joseph Smith first made reference to the “spirits of just men made perfect”. A few months later on October 9th he commented that “The Hebrew Church ‘came
unto the spirits of just men made perfect, and unto an innumerable company of angels, unto God the Father of all, and to Jesus Christ the Mediator of the new covenant.’ What did they
learn by coming to the spirits of just men made perfect? * * * What object was gained by this communication with the spirits of the just?” Joseph explains that “angels” have bodies and are “advanced further” than spirits. He then explains that “The spirits of just men are made ministering servants to those who are sealed unto life eternal, and it is through them that the sealing power comes down.” (TPJS, p 325)
The spirits of just men made perfect currently reside in the spirit world and minister to heirs of salvation. They are those, who, while they lived upon the earth, were sealed up to eternal life thus making their calling and election sure; or, they had endured to the end of mortal life obeying all the gospel laws and upon their death they were “made perfect” and were promised eternal life at that time.
Dana:"The Title of “Friend” and the topic of "Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen" along with his summary were next. Due to the limitations of post and the rules of this forum, I deleted those portions I cut them to comply with policy and fit in the space allowed. If Dee Dee gives me permission, I will be glad to print the final thoughts.