070. Church members are to strive to make their calling and election sure.
070. Church members are to strive to make their calling and election sure.
also quoting Joseph Smith and Peter
The theme I have in mind to discuss is "Making One's Calling and Election Sure." To do this one must receive a divine witness that he will inherit eternal life. . . .
The fullness of eternal life is not attainable in mortality, but the peace which is its harbinger and which comes as a result of making one's calling and election sure is attainable in this life. The Lord has promised that ". . . he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come" (D&C 59:23). . . .
Now I come directly to my theme:
I take my text from Second Peter, and as he did, I direct my remarks ". . . to them that have obtained like precious faith with us. . . ." (2 Peter 1:1)
Peter, having put the Saints in remembrance of gospel fundamentals, admonished them to ". . . give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." (2 Peter 1:10)
By making their calling and election sure, the Saints were to gain entrance ". . . into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." To this fact Peter bore powerful witness. He reviewed his experience on the Mount of Transfiguration with James and John, where he says they heard the voice of ". . . God the Father . . ." declare of Jesus, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Then by way of instruction that such an experience did not of itself make one's calling and election sure, he added, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; . . ." (2 Peter 1:11, 17, 19)
Speaking on Sunday the 14th of May, 1843, the Prophet Joseph Smith took this statement of Peter for his text. From the Prophet's sermon I quote:
"Notwithstanding the apostle exhorts them to add to their faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, etc., yet he exhorts them to make their calling and election sure. And though they had heard an audible voice from heaven bearing testimony that Jesus was the Son of God, yet he says we have a more sure word of prophecy. . . . Now wherein could they have a more sure word of prophecy than to hear the voice of God, This is my beloved son, etc.," Answering his own questions, the Prophet continued, "Though they might hear the voice of God and know that Jesus was the Son of God, this would be no evidence that their election and calling was made sure, that they had part with Christ, and were joint heirs with Him. They then would want that more sure word of prophecy, that they were sealed in the heavens and had the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God. Then, having this promise sealed unto them, it was an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. Though the thunders might roll and lightnings flash, and earthquakes bellow, and war gather thick around, yet this hope and knowledge would support the soul in every hour of trial, trouble and tribulation."
Then speaking directly to his listeners, the Prophet continued:
". . . I would exhort you to go on and continue to call upon God until you make your calling and election sure for yourselves, by obtaining this more sure word of prophecy. . . ." (HC5:388-389) CR1965Oct:20-21; DGSM:52
This gift of eternal life in the world to come may 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. According to the vision, a successful candidate for these blessings must qualify on three counts. First, he must have "received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name" and have been "baptized after the manner of his burial"; second, he must have received "the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power"; and third, he must be "sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise." (D&C 76:51-53
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 that brings to him that peace in this world which will sustain him in every tribulation. (Learning for the Eternities, p. 95) TLDP:153
also quoting Joseph Smith
"It is one thing to be on the mount and hear the excellent voice, etc., and another to hear the voice declare to you, You have a part and lot in that kingdom." (HC5:403)
That passage from the Prophet's writings has been on my mind a great deal. He gave it at the end of a long sermon, in which he has been urging the people of his day to make their calling and their election sure. He himself had made his calling and election sure.
The Lord said to the Prophet Joseph Smith on one occasion,
"For I am the Lord thy God, and will be with thee even unto the end of the world, and through all eternity; for verily I seal upon you your exaltation, and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father, with Abraham your Father." (D&C 132:49)
And then the Lord specifies in the next sentence the conditions that brought that great blessing to the Prophet Joseph.
"Behold, I have seen your sacrifices, and will forgive all your sins; I have seen your sacrifices in obedience to that which I have told you." (D&C 132:50)
He gave that same witness to Heber C. Kimball. I suppose that a man who had that witness would be enjoying the more sure word of prophecy, which the Prophet defines as
". . . 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." (D&C 131:5) CR1954Apr:132
Though they might hear the voice of God and know that Jesus was the Son of God, this would be no evidence that their election and calling was made sure, that they had part with Christ, and were joint heirs with Him. They then would want that more sure word of prophecy, that they were sealed in the heavens and had the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God. . . .
. . . . Then I would exhort you to go on and continue to call upon God until you make your calling and election sure for yourselves, by obtaining this more sure word of prophecy, and wait patiently for the promise until you obtain it. (Sermon on Sunday, May 14, 1843) HC5:388-89
Contend earnestly for the like precious faith with the Apostle Peter, "and add to your faith virtue," knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity; "for if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." Another point, after having all these qualifications, he lays this injunction upon the people "to make your calling and election sure." He is emphatic upon this subject—after adding all this virtue, knowledge, &c., "Make your calling and election sure." What is the secret—the starting point? "According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness." How did he obtain all things? Through the knowledge of Him who hath called him. There could not anything be given, pertaining to life and godliness, without knowledge. . . .
Salvation is for a man to be saved from all his enemies; for until a man can triumph over death, he is not saved. A knowledge of the priesthood alone will do this. . . .
We have no claim in our eternal compact, in relation to eternal things, unless our actions and contracts and all things tend to this end. But after all this, you have got to make your calling and election sure. If this injunction would lie largely on those to whom it was spoken, how much more those of the present generation
1st key: Knowledge is the power of salvation. 2nd key: Make your calling and election sure. 3rd key: It is one thing to be on the mount and hear the excellent voice. &c., &c., and another to hear the voice declare to you, You have a part and lot in that kingdom. (Discourse Sunday, May 21, 1842 in Kirtland Temple) HC5:402-3
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. (Peter writes to members of the Church, about A.D. 60 to 64) 2 Peter 1:10-12
Every accountable child of God needs to set goals, short-and long-range goals. A man who is pressing forward to accomplish worthy goals can soon put despondency under his feet, and once a goal is accomplished, others can be set up. Some will be continuing goals. Each week when we partake of the sacrament we commit ourselves to the goals of taking upon ourselves the name of Christ, of always remembering Him and keeping His commandments (see Moroni 4:3; D&C 20:27). Of Jesus' preparation for His mission, the scripture states that He "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man" (Luke 2:52). This encompasses four main areas for goals: spiritual, mental, physical, and social. "Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be?" asked the Master, and He answered, "Verily I say unto you, even as I am" (3 Nephi 27:27). Now, there is a lifetime goal-to walk in His steps, to perfect ourselves in every virtue as He has done, to seek His face (see D&C 101:38), and to work to make our calling and election sure (see 2 Peter 1:10). CR1974Oct; Do Not Despair, Ensign, November 1974, p.65
Related Witnesses:
The more sure 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. (Revelation, May 17, 1843) D&C 131:5
This principle ought (in its proper place) to be taught, for God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what he will make known to the Twelve, and even the least saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them, for the day must come when no man need say to his neighbor, know ye the Lord; for all shall know him (who remain) from the least to the greatest. How is this to be done? It is to be done by this sealing power, and the other Comforter spoken of, which will be manifest by revelation. (Instructions to the brethren at a conference of the Twelve, June 27, 1839 in Commerce, Ill.) HC3:380
receiving the Word of the Lord
Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John .
4. This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom; (Revelation Dec. 27/28, 1832; the "olive leaf message of peace") D&C 88:3-4
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; [italics added] whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (Peter writes to members of the Church, about A.D. 60 to 64) 2 Peter 1:16-20
And what does it mean to keep your second estate? It means to subscribe to all of the laws of the gospel of the Son of God. That is what it means to keep your second estate, to make your calling and election sure. And they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads forever and forever. (Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin R. Ballard, p. 224) TLDP:64
Author's Note: Perhaps we should be a little more occupied with doing works of righteousness than with simply striving for the Lord's blessing on ourselves. According to Joseph Smith, as cited above, "We have no claim in our eternal compact, in relation to eternal things, unless our actions and contracts and all things tend to this end." In Mosiah 26th chapter, the Lord assured Alma of eternal life in response to Alma 's prayer—a prayer not for himself but a prayer that he be given wisdom to judge righteously certain misled Church members.
Though a person might have his calling and election made sure there remains a possibility that he may fall from grace. "But there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God; Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation; Yea, and even let those who are sanctified take heed also." (D&C 20:32-34
But it appears that according to the Prophet Joseph Smith, to fall from grace thereafter would be a permanent fall "The doctrine that the Presbyterians and Methodists have quarreled so much about—once in grace, always in grace, or falling away from grace, I will say a word about. They are both wrong. Truth takes a road between them both, for while the Presbyterian says 'once in grace, you cannot fall;' the Methodist says: 'You can have grace today, fall from it tomorrow, next day have grace again; and so follow on, changing continually.' But the doctrine of the Scriptures and the spirit of Elijah would show them both false, and take a road between them both; for, according to the Scripture, if men have received the good word of God, and tasted of the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, it is impossible to renew them again, seeing they have crucified the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame; so there is a possibility of falling away; you could not be renewed again, and the power of Elijah cannot seal against this sin, for this is a reserve made in the seals and power of the Priesthood."
Bruce R. McConkie writes, "[T]he added blessing of having one's calling and election made sure is itself an encouragement to avoid sin and a hedge against its further commission. By that long course of obedience and trial which enabled them to gain so great a blessing the sanctified saints have charted a course and developed a pattern of living which avoids sin and encourages righteousness. . . . But suppose such persons become disaffected and the spirit of repentance leaves them—which is a seldom and almost unheard of eventuality—still, what then? The answer is—and the revelations and teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith so recite—they must pay the penalty of their own sins, for the blood of Christ will not cleanse them. Or if they commit murder or adultery, they lose their promised inheritance because these sins are exempt from the sealing promises. Or if they commit the unpardonable sin, they become sons of perdition." (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:343)
071. After we receive the more sure word of prophecy, that our calling and election is made sure, we may receive the Second Comforter, which carries the promise of eternal life.
There are two Comforters spoken of. One is the Holy Ghost, the same as given on the day of Pentecost, and that all Saints receive after faith, repentance, and baptism. . . .
The other Comforter spoken of is a subject of great interest, and perhaps understood by few of this generation. After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the saints, as is recorded in the testimony of St. John, in the 14th chapter, from the 12th to the 27th verses. . . . (Instruction at a conference of the Twelve, June 27, 1839) HC3:380-81; TPJS:150; DGSM:52
also quoting Jeremiah and Joseph Smith
Having in mind these concepts about the Second Comforter, and knowing that all those who so obtain have their callings and elections made sure, let us catch the vision, if we can, of one of the great prophetic utterances of Jeremiah. "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord . . . that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah." Hear it and mark it well: it will be a new covenant, a new and an everlasting covenant: it will be the fulness of the everlasting gospel, not in name only, but in fact and in deed, in active operation in the lives of men. . . .
"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; after those days, saith the Lord. I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people." There will be a day when latter-day Israel will serve the Lord with all their hearts and make themselves worthy of the fulness of his glory. "And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (Jeremiah 31:31-34. . . .
. . . . The Prophet [Joseph Smith] speaks of making one's calling and election sure and of the sealing power whereby "we may be sealed up unto the day of redemption." Then he says: "This principle ought (in its proper place) to be taught, for God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what He will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them, for the day must come when no man need say to his neighbor, Know ye the Lord: for all shall know Him (who remain) from the least to the greatest." (The Millennial Messiah, pp. 681-82) TLDP:403-04
Related Witnesses:
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. (Peter writes to members of the Church, about A.D. 60 to 64) 2 Peter 1:10-12
The fullness of eternal life is not attainable in mortality, but the peace which is its harbinger and which comes as a result of making one's calling and election sure is attainable in this life. The Lord has promised that ". . . he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come." (D&C 59:23) CR1965Oct:20
receiving the Word of the Lord
Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you who have assembled yourselves together to receive his will concerning you:
2. Behold, this is pleasing unto your Lord, and the angels rejoice over you; the alms of your prayers have come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded in the book of the names of the sanctified, even them of the celestial world.
3. Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John .
4. This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom; (Revelation, Dec. 27/28, 1832) D&C 88:1-4
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. . . .
21. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. . . .
23. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (Jesus, on the occasion of the Last Supper with the Twelve, promises the Second Comforter) John 14:18,21,23
Those who press forward in righteousness, living by every word of revealed truth, have power to make their calling and election sure. They receive the more sure word of prophecy and know by revelation and the authority of the priesthood that they are sealed up unto eternal life. They are sealed against all manner of sin and blasphemy against the Holy Ghost and the shedding of innocent blood. (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:46) TLDP:64
Whoever will keep the commandments of God, no matter whether it be you or any other people, they will rise and not fall, they will lead and not follow, they will go upward and not downward; God will exalt them and magnify them before the nations of the earth, and he will set the seal of his approval upon them, will name them as his own. ("A Sermon on Purity," Improvement Era, May 1903, p. 506) TLDP:436
receiving the Word of the Lord
For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.
34. They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.
35. And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;
36. For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;
37. And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;
38. And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. (Revelation on priesthood, Sept. 22/23, 1832) D&C 84:33-38
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
If you will follow the doctrines, and be guided by the precepts of that book [the Bible], it will direct you where you may see as you are seen, where you may converse with Jesus Christ, have the visitation of angels, have dreams, visions, and revelations, and understand and know God for yourselves." (Discourse in July 1853, JD1:243) DBY:126
