The Savior told Joseph Smith, "I will reveal myself from heaven with
power and great glory . . . and dwell in righteousness with
men on earth a thousand years, and the wicked shall not stand" (D&C
29:11; see also chapters 43 and 44, "The Second Coming of Jesus Christ"
and "The Millennium"). Jesus has told us that certain signs and events
will warn us when the time of his second coming is near. This second
coming is also called "the great and dreadful day of the Lord" (D&C
110:16).
For thousands of years, followers of Jesus have looked forward to
the Second Coming as a time of peace and joy. But before the Savior
comes, the people of the earth will experience great trials and
calamities. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be prepared for these
troubles. He also expects us to be spiritually ready when the Savior
comes in his glory. Therefore, he has given us signs, which are events
that will tell us when the Savior's second coming is near. Throughout
the ages God has revealed these signs to his prophets. He has said that
all faithful followers of Christ will know what the signs are and will
be watching for them (see D&C 45:39). If we are obedient and
faithful, we will study the scriptures and know of the signs.
Some of the signs foretelling the second coming of Jesus Christ have
already been or are now being fulfilled. Others will be fulfilled in
the future.
Many of the signs are terrifying and dreadful. The prophets have
warned that the earth will experience great turmoil, wickedness, war,
and suffering. The prophet Daniel said that the time before the Second
Coming would be a time of trouble such as the earth has never known
(see Daniel 12:1). The Lord said, "The love of men shall wax cold, and
iniquity shall abound" (D&C 45:27). "And all things shall be in
commotion; and . . . fear shall come upon all people"
(D&C 88:91). We can expect earthquakes, disease, famines, great
storms, lightnings, and thunder (see Matthew 24:7; D&C 88:90).
Hailstorms will destroy the crops of the earth (see D&C 29:16).
Jesus told his disciples that war would fill the earth: "Ye shall hear
of wars and rumours of wars. . . . For nation shall rise
against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Matthew 24:6-7). These
wars will continue until a great and final war, the most destructive
the world has known. In the midst of this war the Savior will appear.
(See Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 732.)
Many of these signs are being fulfilled. Wickedness is everywhere.
Nations are constantly at war. Earthquakes and other calamities are
occurring. Many people now suffer from devastating storms, drought,
hunger, and diseases. We can be certain that these calamities will
become more severe before the Lord comes.
However, not all the events preceding the Second Coming are dreadful.
Many of them bring joy to the world.
The Lord said, "Light shall break forth among them that sit in
darkness, and it shall be the fulness of my gospel" (D&C 45:28).
Prophets of old foretold the restoration of the gospel. The Apostle
John saw that the gospel would be restored by an angel (see Revelation
14:6-7). In fulfillment of this prophecy, the angel Moroni and other
heavenly visitors brought the gospel of Jesus Christ to Joseph Smith.
The Lord told the Nephites of another sign: the Book of Mormon would
come to their descendants (see 3 Nephi 21). In Old Testament times the
prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel foresaw the coming of the Book of Mormon
(see Isaiah 29:4-18; Ezekiel 37:16-20). These prophecies are now being
fulfilled. The Book of Mormon has been brought forth and is being taken
to all the world.
Another sign of Jesus' coming is that the "gospel of the kingdom
shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations"
(Matthew 24:14). All people will hear the fulness of the gospel in
their own language (see D&C 90:11). Ever since the restoration of
the Church, missionaries have preached the gospel. The missionary
effort has increased until now tens of thousands of missionaries preach
in many countries of the world in many languages. Before the Second
Coming, the Lord will provide a way to bring the truth to all
nations.
The prophet Malachi predicted that before Christ came the second
time, the prophet Elijah would visit the earth. Elijah would restore
the sealing powers so families could be sealed together. He would also
inspire people to be concerned about their ancestors and descendants
(see Malachi 4:5-6; D&C 2). The prophet Elijah came to Joseph Smith
in April 1836. Since that time, interest in genealogy and family
history has grown rapidly. We are also able to perform sealing
ordinances in the temples for the living and the dead.
The Lord said that when his coming was near, the Lamanites would
become a righteous and respected people. He said, "Before the great day
of the Lord shall come, . . . the Lamanites shall blossom as
the rose" (D&C 49:24). Great numbers of Lamanites in North and
South America and the South Pacific are now receiving the blessings of
the gospel.
Near the time of the coming of Jesus, the faithful Saints will build
a righteous city, a city of God, called the New Jerusalem. Jesus Christ
himself will rule there. (See 3 Nephi 21:23-25.) The Lord said the city
will be built in the state of Missouri in the United States (see
D&C 84:3-4).
No one except our Heavenly Father knows exactly when the Lord will
come. The Savior taught this with the parable of the fig tree. He said
that when we see a fig tree putting forth leaves, we can tell that
summer will soon come. Likewise, when we see the signs described in the
scriptures, we can know that his coming is near. (See Matthew 24:32-33.)
The Lord gave these signs to help us. We can put our lives in order and
prepare ourselves and our families for those things yet to come.
We do not need to worry about the calamities but can look forward to
the coming of the Savior and be glad. The Lord said, "Be not troubled,
for, when all these things [the signs] shall come to pass, ye may know
that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled"
(D&C 45:35). He said those who are righteous when he comes will not
be destroyed "but shall abide the day. And the earth shall be given
them for an inheritance; . . . and their children shall grow
up without sin. . . . For the Lord shall be in their
midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and
their lawgiver" (D&C 45:57-59).
Additional Scriptures
Jacob was a great prophet who lived hundreds of years before the
time of Christ. Because Jacob was faithful, the Lord gave him the
special name of Israel, which means "a prince of God" (see Genesis
32:28). Jacob had twelve sons. These sons and their families became
known as the twelve tribes of Israel, or Israelites (see Genesis 49:28).
Jacob was a grandson of Abraham. The Lord made an everlasting covenant
with Abraham that was renewed with Jacob and his children (see
Deuteronomy 32:7-9; see also chapter 15, "The Lord's Covenant People").
God promised that the Israelites would be his covenant people as long
as they would obey his commandments (see Deuteronomy 28:9-10). They
would be a blessing to all the nations of the world by taking the
gospel and the priesthood to them. Thus, they would keep their covenant
with the Lord and he would keep his covenant with them.
Again and again prophets of the Lord warned the house of Israel what
would happen if they were wicked. Moses prophesied, "And the Lord shall
scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto
the other" (Deuteronomy 28:64).
Gradually the Israelites began to break the commandments of God. They
fought among themselves and split into two kingdoms: the Northern
Kingdom, called the kingdom of Israel, and the Southern Kingdom, called
the kingdom of Judah. Ten of the twelve tribes of Israel lived in the
Northern Kingdom. During a war they were conquered by their enemies and
carried away into captivity. Some of them later escaped into the lands
of the north and became lost to the rest of the world.
About one hundred years after the capture of the Northern Kingdom, the
Southern Kingdom was conquered. The capital city of Jerusalem was
destroyed in 586 B.C., and the remaining two tribes of Israel were
taken captive. Later, some of the members of these tribes returned and
rebuilt Jerusalem. Just before Jerusalem was destroyed, Lehi and his
family left the city and settled in the Americas. The Lamanites are
descendants of Lehi's people.
After the time of Christ, Jerusalem was again destroyed, this time by
Roman soldiers. The Jews were scattered over much of the world. Today
Israelites are found in all countries of the world. Many of these
people do not know that they are descended from the ancient house of
Israel.
The Lord promised that the Israelites, his covenant people, would
someday be gathered: "I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all
countries whither I have driven them" (Jeremiah 23:3).
The Lord has some important reasons for gathering the Israelites. The
people of Israel need to learn the teachings of the gospel and prepare
themselves to meet the Savior when he comes again. The Israelites have
the responsibility of building temples and performing sacred ordinances
for ancestors who died without having this opportunity. The covenant
people of God must take the gospel to all nations. They must fulfill
the covenant to be a blessing to all the world.
The power and authority to direct the work of gathering the house of
Israel was given to Joseph Smith by the prophet Moses, who appeared in
1836 in the Kirtland Temple (see D&C 110:11). Since that time, each
prophet has held the keys for the gathering of the house of Israel, and
this gathering has been an important part of the Church's work. The
house of Israel is now being gathered as they accept the restored
gospel and serve the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (see Deuteronomy
30:1-5).
The Israelites are to be gathered spiritually first and then
physically. They are gathered spiritually when they join The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This spiritual gathering began
during the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith and continues today all
over the world. Converts to the Church are Israelites either by blood
or adoption. They belong to the family of Abraham and Jacob (see
Abraham 2:9-11; Galatians 3:26-29).
President Joseph Fielding Smith said: "There are many nations
represented in the . . . Church. . . . They
have come because the Spirit of the Lord rested upon them;
. . . receiving the spirit of gathering, they have
left everything for the sake of the gospel" (Doctrines of Salvation,
3:256).
The physical gathering of Israel means that the Israelites will be
"gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be
established in all their lands of promise" (see 2 Nephi 9:2). The
tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh will be gathered to the land of America.
The tribe of Judah will return to the city of Jerusalem and the area
surrounding it. The ten lost tribes will receive from the tribe of
Ephraim their promised blessings (see D&C 133:26-35).
When the Church was first established, the Saints were instructed to
gather in Ohio, then Missouri, and then the Salt Lake Valley. Today,
however, modern prophets have taught that Church members are to build
up the kingdom of God in their own lands. Elder Bruce R. McConkie said:
"The gathering place for Peruvians is in the stakes of Zion in Peru, or
in the places which soon will become stakes. The gathering place for
Chileans is in Chile; for Bolivians it is in Bolivia; for Koreans it is
in Korea; and so it goes through all the length and breadth of the
earth. Scattered Israel in every nation is called to gather to the fold
of Christ, to the stakes of Zion, as such are established in their
nations" ("Come: Let Israel Build Zion," Ensign, May 1977, p.
118).
The physical gathering of Israel will not be complete until the second
coming of the Savior (see Joseph Smith--Matthew 1:37). Then the Lord's
promise will be fulfilled:
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said,
The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land
of Egypt;
"But, the Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the
land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them:
and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their
fathers" (Jeremiah 16:14-15).
Additional Scriptures
Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus and his Apostles were
gathered together on the Mount of Olives. The time had come for Jesus
to leave the earth. He had completed all the work that he had to do at
that time. He was to return to our Heavenly Father until the time of
his second coming.
After he had instructed his Apostles, Jesus ascended into heaven. While
the Apostles looked up into the heavens, two angels stood beside them
and said, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this
same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in
like manner as ye have seen him go" (Acts 1:11).
From that time until the present day, the followers of Jesus Christ
have looked forward to the Second Coming.
When Jesus was born, very few people knew that the Savior of the
world had come. When he comes again, there will be no doubt who he is.
No one knows the exact time that the Savior will come again. "Of that
day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my
Father only" (Matthew 24:36).
The Lord used a parable to give us an idea of the time of his coming:
"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender,
and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
"So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass,
know that it is nigh, even at the doors" (Mark 13:28-29).
The Lord has also given us some signs to let us know when his coming is
near. After revealing the signs, he cautioned:
"Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth
come. . . .
"Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man
cometh" (Matthew 24:42-44).
For more information about how we will know when Jesus' second coming
is near, see chapter 41, "Signs of the Second Coming."
The best way we can prepare for the Savior's coming is to accept the
teachings of the gospel and make them part of our lives. We should live
each day the best we can, just as Jesus taught when he was on the
earth. We can look to the prophet for guidance and follow his counsel.
We can live worthy to have the Holy Ghost guide us. Then we will look
forward to the Savior's coming with happiness and not with fear. The
Lord said: "Fear not, little flock, the kingdom is yours until I come.
Behold, I come quickly. Even so. Amen" (D&C 35:27).
Additional Scriptures
A thousand years of peace, love, and joy will begin on the earth at
the second coming of Jesus Christ. This thousand-year period is called
the Millennium. It will be the final thousand years of the earth's
temporal existence. The scriptures and the prophets help us understand
what it will be like to live on the earth during the Millennium.
Only righteous people will live on the earth during the Millennium.
They will be those who have lived virtuous and honest lives. These
people will inherit either the terrestrial or celestial kingdom.
During the Millennium, mortals will still live on earth, and they will
continue to have children as we do now (see D&C 45:58). Joseph
Smith said that immortal beings will frequently visit the earth. These
resurrected beings will help with the government and other work. (See Teachings
of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 268.)
Brigham Young taught that there will be nonmembers of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints living on earth as well as members.
People will still have their agency, and for a time many will continue
to believe their false religions and ideas. Eventually everyone will
accept Jesus Christ as the Savior. (See Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Latter-day
Prophets Speak, pp. 261-62.)
During the Millennium, Jesus will "reign personally upon the earth"
(Articles of Faith 1:10). Joseph Smith explained that Jesus and the
resurrected Saints will probably not live on the earth all the time but
will visit whenever they please or when necessary to help in the
governing of the earth (see Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith,
p. 268).
There will be two great works for members of the Church during the
Millennium: temple work and missionary work. Temple work involves the
ordinances that are necessary for exaltation. These include baptism,
the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the temple
ordinances--the endowment, temple marriage, and the sealing together of
family units.
Many people have died without receiving these ordinances. People on the
earth must perform these ordinances for them. This work is now being
done in the temples of the Lord. There is too much work to finish
before the Millennium begins, so it will be completed during that time.
Resurrected beings will help us correct the mistakes we have made in
doing research concerning our dead ancestors. They will also help us
find the information we need to complete our records.
The other great work during the Millennium will be missionary work. The
gospel will be taught with great power to all people. Eventually there
will be no need to teach others the first principles of the gospel
because "they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the
greatest of them, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 31:34).
The earth will again be as it was when Adam and Eve lived in the
Garden of Eden (see Articles of Faith 1:10). The whole earth will be a
delightful garden. There will not be different continents as we have
now, but the land will be gathered in one place as it was in the
beginning (see D&C 133:23-24).
During the Millennium, Satan will be bound. This means he will not
have power to tempt those who are living at that time (see D&C
101:28). The "children shall grow up without sin unto salvation"
(D&C 45:58). "Because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has
no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years;
for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in
righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth" (1 Nephi 22:26).
During the Millennium, there will be no war. People will live in
peace and harmony together. Everything that has been used for war will
be turned to useful purposes. "They shall beat their swords into
plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift
up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (Isaiah
2:4).
Jesus Christ will not only lead the Church during the Millennium,
but he will also be in charge of the political government. This
government will be based on principles of righteousness and will
preserve the basic rights and freedoms of all people. Mortals, both
members of the Church and nonmembers, will hold government positions
(see Brigham Young, in Journal of Discourses, 2:310). They will
receive help from resurrected beings. At this time there will be two
capitals in the world, one in Jerusalem, the other in America (see
Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3:66-72). "For
out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from
Jerusalem" (Isaiah 2:3).
Even though mortals will live on the earth during the Millennium,
they will not have diseases as we do now. There will be no death as we
know it. When people have lived to an old age, they will not die and be
buried. Instead, they will be changed from their mortal condition to an
immortal condition in an instant (see D&C 63:51; 101:29-31).
Some truths have not been revealed to us. These will be revealed
during the Millennium. The Lord said he will "reveal all things--things
which have passed, and hidden things which no man knew, things of the
earth, by which it was made, and the purpose and the end
thereof--things most precious, things that are above, and things that
are beneath, things that are in the earth, and upon the earth, and in
heaven" (D&C 101:32-34).
The animal kingdom will also be at peace. All animals, even those
that are now enemies, will live together in harmony. Animals that now
eat flesh will eat grass and grain (see Isaiah 11:6-7).
In many ways, life will be much as it is now, except that everything
will be done in righteousness. People will eat and drink and will wear
clothing (see Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 115). People will
continue to plant and harvest crops and build houses (see Isaiah 65:21).
At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be set free for a short
time. Some people will turn away from Heavenly Father. Satan will
gather his armies, and Michael (Adam) will gather the hosts of heaven.
In this great struggle, Satan and his followers will be cast out
forever. Then will come the final judgment, and all people will be
assigned to the kingdoms they will have prepared for by the way they
have lived. The earth will be changed into a celestial kingdom (see
D&C 29:22-29; 88:17-20, 110-15).
Additional Scriptures
Heavenly Father prepared a plan for our salvation. As part of this
plan, he sent us from his presence to live on earth and receive mortal
bodies of flesh and blood. Eventually our mortal bodies will die, and
our spirits will go to the spirit world. The spirit world is a place of
waiting, working, learning, and resting from care and sorrow. Our
spirits will live there until we are ready for our resurrection. Then
our mortal bodies will once more unite with our spirits, and we will
receive the degree of glory we have prepared for (see chapter 46, "The
Last Judgment").
Many of us have wondered what the spirit world is like. The scriptures
and latter-day prophets have given us information about the spirit
world.
In a funeral sermon, Joseph Smith declared that the spirits of
righteous people who have died "are not far from us, and know and
understand our thoughts, feelings, and emotions, and are often pained
therewith" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 326).
Other latter-day prophets have made similar statements. President Ezra
Taft Benson said: "Sometimes the veil between this life and the life
beyond becomes very thin. Our loved ones who have passed on are not far
from us" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1971, p. 18; or Ensign,
June 1971, p. 33). President Brigham Young said: "Where is the spirit
world? It is right here" (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 376).
Spirit beings have the same bodily form as mortals except that the
spirit body is in perfect form (see Ether 3:16). Spirits carry with
them from earth their attitudes of devotion or antagonism toward things
of righteousness (see Alma 34:34). They have the same appetites and
desires that they had when they lived on earth. All spirits are in
adult form. They were adults before their mortal existence, and they
are in adult form after death, even if they die as infants or children
(see Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 455).
The prophet Alma in the Book of Mormon taught about two divisions or
states in the spirit world:
"The spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of
happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace,
where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and
sorrow.
"And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea,
who are evil--for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit
of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good;
therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take
possession of their house--and these shall be cast out into outer
darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth,
and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will
of the devil.
"Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness,
and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the
wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the
righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection" (Alma
40:12-14).
The spirits are classified according to the purity of their lives and
their obedience to the will of the Lord while on earth. The righteous
and the wicked are separated (see 1 Nephi 15:28-30), but the spirits
may progress from one level to another as they learn gospel principles
and live in accordance with them (see Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon
Doctrine, p. 762).
According to the prophet Alma, the righteous spirits rest from
earthly care and sorrow. Nevertheless, they are occupied in doing the
work of the Lord. President Joseph F. Smith saw in a vision that
immediately after Jesus Christ was crucified, he visited the righteous
in the spirit world. He appointed messengers, gave them power and
authority, and commissioned them to "carry the light of the gospel to
them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men" (D&C
138:30).
The Church is organized in the spirit world, with each prophet standing
at the head of his own generation (see Joseph Smith, History of the
Church, 4:209). Priesthood holders continue their responsibilities
in the spirit world. President Wilford Woodruff taught: "The same
Priesthood exists on the other side of the veil. . . .
Every Apostle, every Seventy, every Elder, etc., who has died in the
faith as soon as he passes to the other side of the veil, enters into
the work of the ministry" (in Journal of Discourses, 22:333-34).
Family relationships are also important. President Jedediah M. Grant, a
counselor to Brigham Young, saw the spirit world and described to Heber
C. Kimball the organization that exists there: "He said that the people
he there saw were organized in family capacities. . . .
He said, 'When I looked at families, there was a deficiency in some,
. . . for I saw families that would not be permitted to come
and dwell together, because they had not honored their calling here' "
(Heber C. Kimball, in Journal of Discourses, 4:135-36).
The Apostle Peter referred to the spirit world as a prison, which it
is for some (see 1 Peter 3:18-20). In the spirit prison are the spirits
of those who have not yet received the gospel of Jesus Christ. These
spirits have agency and may be enticed by both good and evil. If they
accept the gospel and the ordinances performed for them in the temples,
they may prepare themselves to leave the spirit prison and dwell in
paradise.
Also in the spirit prison are those who rejected the gospel after it
was preached to them on earth or in the spirit prison. These spirits
suffer in a condition known as hell. They have removed themselves from
the mercy of Jesus Christ, who said, "Behold, I, God, have suffered
these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
but if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; which
suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble
because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body
and spirit" (D&C 19:16-18). After suffering in full for their sins,
they will be allowed to inherit the lowest degree of glory, which is
the telestial kingdom.
The hell in the spirit world will not continue forever. Even the
spirits who have committed the greatest sins will have suffered
sufficiently by the end of the Millennium (see Acts 2:25-27). They will
then be resurrected.
Additional Scriptures
We are often told in the scriptures that the day will come when we
will stand before God and be judged. We need to understand how judgment
takes place so we can be better prepared for this important event.
The scriptures teach that all of us will be judged according to our
works: "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the
books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of
life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written
in the books, according to their works" (Revelation 20:12; see also
D&C 76:111; 1 Nephi 15:32; Abraham 3:25-28).
In this scripture, John the Revelator is referring to the Final
Judgment. This judgment is the last in a long series of judgments. In
the premortal life all spirits who were judged worthy were allowed to
receive a body and come to earth. Here on earth we are often judged as
to our worthiness to receive opportunities within the kingdom of God.
When we are baptized we are judged worthy to receive this ordinance.
When we are called to serve in the Church or interviewed for a
priesthood advancement or a temple recommend, we are judged.
Alma taught that when we die our spirits are assigned to a state of
happiness or of misery (see Alma 40:11-15). This is a partial judgment.
The prophet Alma testified, "Our words will condemn us, yea, all our
works will condemn us; . . . and our thoughts will also
condemn us" (Alma 12:14).
The Lord said: "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give
account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be
justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37).
Only through faith in Jesus Christ can we be prepared for the Final
Judgment. Through faithful discipleship to him and repentance of all
our sins, we can be forgiven for our sins and become pure and holy so
that we can dwell in the presence of God. As we repent of our sins,
giving up every impure thought and act, the Holy Ghost will change our
hearts so we no longer have even the desire to sin. Then when we are
judged, we will be found ready to enter into God's presence.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said that the dead will be judged out of
records kept on earth. We will also be judged out of the "book of
life," which is kept in heaven (see D&C 128:6-8).
"We are going to be judged out of the things written in books, out of
the revelations of God, out of the temple records, out of those things
which the Lord has commanded us to keep. . . . There
will be the record in heaven which is a perfect record" (Joseph
Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:200).
There is another record that will be used to judge us. The Apostle Paul
taught that we ourselves are the most complete record of our life (see
Romans 2:15; 2 Corinthians 3:1-3). Stored in our body and mind is a
complete history of everything we have done. President John Taylor
taught this truth: "[The individual] tells the story himself, and bears
witness against himself. . . . That record that is
written by the man himself in the tablets of his own mind--that record
that cannot lie--will in that day be unfolded before God and angels,
and those who sit as judges" (Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Latter-day
Prophets Speak, pp. 56-57).
The Apostle John taught that "the Father judgeth no man, but hath
committed all judgment unto the Son" (John 5:22). The Son, in turn,
will call upon others to assist in the Judgment. The Twelve who were
with him in his ministry will judge the twelve tribes of Israel (see
Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30). The Nephite Twelve will judge the Nephite
and Lamanite people (see 1 Nephi 12:9-10; Mormon 3:18-19). President
John Taylor said the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles in our
own dispensation will also judge us (see The Mediation and
Atonement, p. 157).
At the Final Judgment we will be assigned to the kingdom for which
we are prepared. We will be sent to one of four places: the celestial
kingdom (the highest degree of glory), the terrestrial kingdom (the
second degree), the telestial kingdom (the lowest degree), or outer
darkness (the kingdom of the devil--not a degree of glory).
In Doctrine and Covenants 76, the Lord described the ways we can choose
to live our mortal lives. He explained that our choices will determine
which of the four kingdoms we are prepared for. We learn from this
revelation that even members of the Church will inherit different
kingdoms because they will not be equally faithful and valiant in their
obedience to Christ.
The following are the kinds of lives we can choose to live and the
kingdoms our choices will obtain for us.
"They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on
his name and were baptized, . . . that by keeping the
commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and
receive the Holy Spirit." These are they who overcome the world by
their faith. They are just and true so that the Holy Ghost can seal
their blessings upon them. (See D&C 76:51-53.) Those who inherit
the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, who become gods, must also
have been married for eternity in the temple (see D&C 131:1-4). All
who inherit the celestial kingdom will live with Heavenly Father and
Jesus Christ forever (see D&C 76:62).
These are they who rejected the gospel on earth but afterward
received it in the spirit world. These are the honorable people on the
earth who were blinded to the gospel of Jesus Christ by the craftiness
of men. These are also they who received the gospel and a testimony of
Jesus but then were not valiant. They will be visited by Jesus Christ
but not by our Heavenly Father. (See D&C 76:73-79.) They will not
be part of eternal families; they will live separately and singly
forever (see D&C 131:1-4).
These people did not receive the gospel or the testimony of Jesus
either on earth or in the spirit world. They will suffer for their own
sins in hell until after the Millennium, when they will be resurrected.
"These are they who are liars, and sorcerers, and adulterers, and
whoremongers, and whosoever loves and makes a lie." These people are as
numerous as the stars in heaven and the sand on the seashore. They will
be visited by the Holy Ghost but not by the Father or the Son. (See
D&C 76:81-86, 103-6.)
These are they who had testimonies of Jesus through the Holy Ghost
and knew the power of the Lord but allowed Satan to overcome them. They
denied the truth and defied the power of the Lord. There is no
forgiveness for them, for they denied the Holy Spirit after having
received it. They will not have a kingdom of glory. They will live in
eternal darkness, torment, and misery with Satan and his angels
forever. (See D&C 76:28-35, 44-48.)
In reality, every day is a day of judgment. We speak, think, and act
according to celestial, terrestrial, or telestial law. Our faith in
Jesus Christ, as shown by our daily actions, determines which kingdom
we will inherit. Additional Scriptures
We have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness. The gospel
is the law of the celestial kingdom. All the priesthood ordinances
necessary for our progression have been revealed. We have entered the
waters of baptism and have made a covenant to live Christlike lives. If
we are faithful and keep the covenants we have made, the Lord has told
us what our judgment will be. He will say unto us: "Come, ye blessed of
my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of
the world" (Matthew 25:34).
