LDS The Church of the Firstborn in Mormon Writings

[Rescued One]

This "Church of the Firstborn" is composed of those who were judged by their works and found worthy of eternal life.

D&C 76:54. What Is the Church of the Firstborn?

“Those who gain exaltation in the celestial kingdom are those who are members of the Church of the Firstborn; in other words, those who keep all the commandments of the Lord....

“The Lord has made it possible for us to become members of the Church of the Firstborn, by receiving the blessings of the house of the Lord and overcoming all things. Thus we become heirs, ‘priests, and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory,’ who shall ‘dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever,’ with full exaltation.” (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:41–42.)
Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, Section 76, p. 164

"Such a person eventually receives godhood and becomes a member of the "church of the Firstborn." (D&C 76:54.)
Roy W. Doxey, Accepted of the Lord: The Doctrine of Making Your Calling and Election Sure, Ensign, July 1976, p. 50

MARRIAGE AND BECOMING SONS OF GOD.
The gift promised to those who receive this covenant of marriage and remain faithful to the end, that they shall "have no end," means that they shall have the power of eternal increase. Only those who have this power will truly "know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent." Others may see the Lord and may be instructed by him, but they will not truly know him or his Father unless they become like them.

Who desires to enter the eternal world and be a servant, when the promise is held out that we may be sons and daughters of God? Yet there will be the vast majority who will enter into the eternal world as servants, and not as sons, and this simply because they think more of the world and its covenants, than they do of God and his covenants; simply because in their blindness of heart, they refuse to keep these sacred and holy commandments. Oh, what bitterness there will be in the day of judgment, when every man receives his reward according to his works!
Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 2, p. 64-65

"Only through celestial marriage can one find the strait way, the narrow path. Eternal life cannot be had in any other way."
Pres. Spencer W. Kimball as quoted in the Deseret News, Church News, Nov. 12, 1977

“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 go into the house, belong to the household, have access to the home.om, where the sons and daughters are. The sons and daughters are not outside in some other kingdom. ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions’ [John 14:2]. Sons and daughters have access to the home where he dwells, and you cannot receive that access until you go to the temple. Why? Because you must receive certain key words as well as make covenants by which you are able to enter. If you try to get into the house, and the door is locked, how are you going to enter, if you haven’t your key? You get your key in the temple, which will admit you.“. . . You cannot find a key on the street, for that key is never lost that will open the door that enters into our Father’s mansions. You have got to go where the key is given. And each can obtain the key, if you will; but after receiving it, you may lose it, by having it taken away from you again unless you abide by the agreement which you entered into when you went into the house of the Lord.”
Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:40–41

The Celestial Glory is provided for those who merit the highest honors of heaven. In the revelation referred to, we read of them: "They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given -- That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true. They are they who are the church of the Firstborn. They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things -- -They are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory; And are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son. Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God -- Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ's, and Christ is God's. * * * These shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever. These are they whom he shall bring with him, when he shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over his people. These are they who shall have part in the first resurrection. These are they who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just. * * * These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood. These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical." [D&C 76:50-70]
James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, p. 405-406

The "Church of the Firstborn" is composed of those who were judged by their works and found worthy of eternal life. Which Mormons disagree?

 

[faroukfarouk]

This "Church of the Firstborn" is composed of those who were judged by their works and found worthy of eternal life.

D&C 76:54. What Is the Church of the Firstborn?

“Those who gain exaltation in the celestial kingdom are those who are members of the Church of the Firstborn; in other words, those who keep all the commandments of the Lord....

“The Lord has made it possible for us to become members of the Church of the Firstborn, by receiving the blessings of the house of the Lord and overcoming all things. Thus we become heirs, ‘priests, and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory,’ who shall ‘dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever,’ with full exaltation.” (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:41–42.)
Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, Section 76, p. 164

"Such a person eventually receives godhood and becomes a member of the "church of the Firstborn." (D&C 76:54.)
Roy W. Doxey, Accepted of the Lord: The Doctrine of Making Your Calling and Election Sure, Ensign, July 1976, p. 50

MARRIAGE AND BECOMING SONS OF GOD.
The gift promised to those who receive this covenant of marriage and remain faithful to the end, that they shall "have no end," means that they shall have the power of eternal increase. Only those who have this power will truly "know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent." Others may see the Lord and may be instructed by him, but they will not truly know him or his Father unless they become like them.

Who desires to enter the eternal world and be a servant, when the promise is held out that we may be sons and daughters of God? Yet there will be the vast majority who will enter into the eternal world as servants, and not as sons, and this simply because they think more of the world and its covenants, than they do of God and his covenants; simply because in their blindness of heart, they refuse to keep these sacred and holy commandments. Oh, what bitterness there will be in the day of judgment, when every man receives his reward according to his works!
Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 2, p. 64-65

"Only through celestial marriage can one find the strait way, the narrow path. Eternal life cannot be had in any other way."
Pres. Spencer W. Kimball as quoted in the Deseret News, Church News, Nov. 12, 1977

“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 go into the house, belong to the household, have access to the home.om, where the sons and daughters are. The sons and daughters are not outside in some other kingdom. ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions’ [John 14:2]. Sons and daughters have access to the home where he dwells, and you cannot receive that access until you go to the temple. Why? Because you must receive certain key words as well as make covenants by which you are able to enter. If you try to get into the house, and the door is locked, how are you going to enter, if you haven’t your key? You get your key in the temple, which will admit you.“. . . You cannot find a key on the street, for that key is never lost that will open the door that enters into our Father’s mansions. You have got to go where the key is given. And each can obtain the key, if you will; but after receiving it, you may lose it, by having it taken away from you again unless you abide by the agreement which you entered into when you went into the house of the Lord.”
Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:40–41

The Celestial Glory is provided for those who merit the highest honors of heaven. In the revelation referred to, we read of them: "They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given -- That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true. They are they who are the church of the Firstborn. They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things -- -They are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory; And are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son. Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God -- Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ's, and Christ is God's. * * * These shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever. These are they whom he shall bring with him, when he shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over his people. These are they who shall have part in the first resurrection. These are they who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just. * * * These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood. These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical." [D&C 76:50-70]
James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, p. 405-406

The "Church of the Firstborn" is composed of those who were judged by their works and found worthy of eternal life. Which Mormons disagree?

The church of the firstborn is a Scriptural expression from Hebrews, but I've always understood it to be one of many Scriptural ways of describing the church comprised of born again believers.

 

[fatboys]

This "Church of the Firstborn" is composed of those who were judged by their works and found worthy of eternal life.

D&C 76:54. What Is the Church of the Firstborn?

“Those who gain exaltation in the celestial kingdom are those who are members of the Church of the Firstborn; in other words, those who keep all the commandments of the Lord....

“The Lord has made it possible for us to become members of the Church of the Firstborn, by receiving the blessings of the house of the Lord and overcoming all things. Thus we become heirs, ‘priests, and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory,’ who shall ‘dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever,’ with full exaltation.” (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:41–42.)
Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual, Section 76, p. 164

"Such a person eventually receives godhood and becomes a member of the "church of the Firstborn." (D&C 76:54.)
Roy W. Doxey, Accepted of the Lord: The Doctrine of Making Your Calling and Election Sure, Ensign, July 1976, p. 50

MARRIAGE AND BECOMING SONS OF GOD.
The gift promised to those who receive this covenant of marriage and remain faithful to the end, that they shall "have no end," means that they shall have the power of eternal increase. Only those who have this power will truly "know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent." Others may see the Lord and may be instructed by him, but they will not truly know him or his Father unless they become like them.

Who desires to enter the eternal world and be a servant, when the promise is held out that we may be sons and daughters of God? Yet there will be the vast majority who will enter into the eternal world as servants, and not as sons, and this simply because they think more of the world and its covenants, than they do of God and his covenants; simply because in their blindness of heart, they refuse to keep these sacred and holy commandments. Oh, what bitterness there will be in the day of judgment, when every man receives his reward according to his works!
Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 2, p. 64-65

"Only through celestial marriage can one find the strait way, the narrow path. Eternal life cannot be had in any other way."
Pres. Spencer W. Kimball as quoted in the Deseret News, Church News, Nov. 12, 1977

“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 go into the house, belong to the household, have access to the home.om, where the sons and daughters are. The sons and daughters are not outside in some other kingdom. ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions’ [John 14:2]. Sons and daughters have access to the home where he dwells, and you cannot receive that access until you go to the temple. Why? Because you must receive certain key words as well as make covenants by which you are able to enter. If you try to get into the house, and the door is locked, how are you going to enter, if you haven’t your key? You get your key in the temple, which will admit you.“. . . You cannot find a key on the street, for that key is never lost that will open the door that enters into our Father’s mansions. You have got to go where the key is given. And each can obtain the key, if you will; but after receiving it, you may lose it, by having it taken away from you again unless you abide by the agreement which you entered into when you went into the house of the Lord.”
Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:40–41

The Celestial Glory is provided for those who merit the highest honors of heaven. In the revelation referred to, we read of them: "They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given -- That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true. They are they who are the church of the Firstborn. They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things -- -They are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory; And are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son. Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God -- Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ's, and Christ is God's. * * * These shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever. These are they whom he shall bring with him, when he shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over his people. These are they who shall have part in the first resurrection. These are they who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just. * * * These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood. These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical." [D&C 76:50-70]
James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, p. 405-406

The "Church of the Firstborn" is composed of those who were judged by their works and found worthy of eternal life. Which Mormons disagree?

You have heard many times the expression "nobody's perfect". Well you and I fall into that catagory. And even though I do my best to obey all of God's laws I will never be perfect when I die. The atonement will carry me through to the celestial kingdom where I will continue to progress and perfect myself until I reach my goal of perfection. At that time I will become like the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. Will better understand the sacrifice my Savior made for me. I will know that if it had not been for the atonement I would be lost forever.

 

[Rescued One]

You have heard many times the expression "nobody's perfect". Well you and I fall into that catagory. And even though I do my best to obey all of God's laws I will never be perfect when I die. The atonement will carry me through to the celestial kingdom where I will continue to progress and perfect myself until I reach my goal of perfection. At that time I will become like the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. Will better understand the sacrifice my Savior made for me. I will know that if it had not been for the atonement I would be lost forever.

Whoa! It isn't what a person does that gives him eternal life!!! And according to Mormonism, perfection is required to be in the Church of the Firstborn.

 

[Jane_Doe]

Whoa! It isn't what a person does that gives him eternal life!!! And according to Mormonism, perfection is required to be in the Church of the Firstborn.

That perfection is not achieved in this life.

 

[Rescued One]

fatboys,

COMPLETE OBEDIENCE BRINGS ETERNAL LIFE.
But to be exalted one must keep the whole law ... to receive the exaltation of the righteous, in other words eternal life, the commandments of the Lord must be kept in all things.
Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 2, p. 6

Hebrews 9 (KJV and JST)
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Abraham 3
24 And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;

25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

26 And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.

“And they who keep their first estate [the spirit estate in which we then were] shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate [this estate where we are, this mortal period] shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.”

From this scripture we learn that we were to come to earth for a purpose, and the purpose was to be proved, to be tested, to see if we would do what the Lord instructs us to do.

Thus, from these scriptures, we also learn of three phases of our existence as children of God. Abraham calls these phases “estates”: we had the premortal state when we lived as spirit children of God; we have our “second estate,” which is the mortality we are now experiencing and our sojourn in the spirit world following death; and in the future we will have a reuniting of the soul into a state of immortality through the Resurrection.

Here on earth:
25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

All meant all when I was a Mormon. When did all get a definition that doesn't me all?

How can Mormons go to the Paradise side of the Spirit World if they didn't obey all the commandments? Why don't they have to suffer until they've paid for their sins? Where is the LDS scripture that tells you that Paradise is a place to continue working on your goals toward complete obedience?

Where in the Bible does it say there's time to repent after death?

Why isn't LDS doctrine based on LDS scripture?

 

[Jane_Doe]

Why isn't LDS doctrine based on LDS scripture?

It is. Would you like to understand?

 

[Rescued One]

Imperfection means weeping and wailing:

SAINTS COMMANDED TO MARRY FOR ETERNITY.
The Lord has commanded us, as it is recorded in the revelations, that marriage among members of the Church should be performed in his holy house, and not for time only, but for time and all eternity. Therefore, those who are satisfied to receive a ceremony for time only, uniting them for this life, and are content with that, are ignorant of this fundamental principle of the gospel and its consequences, or they are in rebellion against the commandments of the Lord.
Now, what I want to say is intended very largely for the parents of the young people. I think the parents, perhaps, are more to be blamed, because, in many instances, very many instances, they have not taught their children the sacredness of the marriage covenant….
It fills my heart with sadness when I see in the paper the name of a daughter or a son of members of this Church, and discover that she or he is going to have a ceremony and be married outside of the temple of the Lord, because I realize what it means, that they are cutting themselves off from exaltation in the kingdom of God.

SORROW IN RESURRECTION IF NO ETERNAL MARRIAGE.
These young people who seem to be so happy now, when they rise in the resurrection-and find themselves in the condition in which they will find themselves-then there will be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and bitterness of soul; and they have brought it upon themselves because of their lack of faith and understanding of the gospel, and from, I am sorry to say, the encouragement they have received many times from their own parents….
UNWORTHY NOT TO GO TO TEMPLE.
Of course there are people who are not worthy to go to the temple, and therefore should not go to the temple. No one should go to the temple except those who are worthy, as the Lord has said, "who [have] overcome by faith," and are cleansed and are just and true. Then they can go to the temple. If they are unclean, if they lack the faith, they had better stay out until they get the faith and are clean.
Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 2, p.60 - 61.

 

[fatboys]

Imperfection means weeping and wailing:

SAINTS COMMANDED TO MARRY FOR ETERNITY.
The Lord has commanded us, as it is recorded in the revelations, that marriage among members of the Church should be performed in his holy house, and not for time only, but for time and all eternity. Therefore, those who are satisfied to receive a ceremony for time only, uniting them for this life, and are content with that, are ignorant of this fundamental principle of the gospel and its consequences, or they are in rebellion against the commandments of the Lord.
Now, what I want to say is intended very largely for the parents of the young people. I think the parents, perhaps, are more to be blamed, because, in many instances, very many instances, they have not taught their children the sacredness of the marriage covenant….
It fills my heart with sadness when I see in the paper the name of a daughter or a son of members of this Church, and discover that she or he is going to have a ceremony and be married outside of the temple of the Lord, because I realize what it means, that they are cutting themselves off from exaltation in the kingdom of God.

SORROW IN RESURRECTION IF NO ETERNAL MARRIAGE.
These young people who seem to be so happy now, when they rise in the resurrection-and find themselves in the condition in which they will find themselves-then there will be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and bitterness of soul; and they have brought it upon themselves because of their lack of faith and understanding of the gospel, and from, I am sorry to say, the encouragement they have received many times from their own parents….
UNWORTHY NOT TO GO TO TEMPLE.
Of course there are people who are not worthy to go to the temple, and therefore should not go to the temple. No one should go to the temple except those who are worthy, as the Lord has said, "who [have] overcome by faith," and are cleansed and are just and true. Then they can go to the temple. If they are unclean, if they lack the faith, they had better stay out until they get the faith and are clean.
Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 2, p.60 - 61.

You don't really understand your own beliefs and how it isn't biblical. I don't think you will ver get the lds faith.

 

[Rescued One]

You don't really understand your own beliefs and how it isn't biblical. I don't think you will ver get the lds faith.

Maybe you just don't believe that Joseph Fielding Smith knew the correct beliefs of the Mormonism you believe. Yet he became a prophet. So when I show you what he said, you apparently think that what he said doesn't contradict what you believe. That's because Mormonism changes and you won't allow yourself to see that he said those couples will have to pay for their sins, while you're saying that other imperfect Mormons won't.

 

[Rescued One]

Mormonism says you must be perfect to be in the Father's presence. Mormonism says you will be judged at your resurrection. Your works determine where you are sent at judgment. Before you are resurrected, you remain in the "Spirit World." You're thinking that you can work on perfection after that. It's too late after judgment because you've already been assigned to your eternal destination.

 

[fatboys]

Maybe you just don't believe that Joseph Fielding Smith knew the correct beliefs of the Mormonism you believe. Yet he became a prophet. So when I show you what he said, you apparently think that what he said doesn't contradict what you believe. That's because Mormonism changes and you won't allow yourself to see that he said those couples will have to pay for their sins, while other imperfect Mormons won't.

I do believe he knows and taught the gospel bu you just don't understand the point he is making. It would be a waste of my time to try and explain it to you because you don't want to learn anything that would put a different perspective on the restored gospel. You are so focused on your agenda of what we believe it never occurs to you that your conclusions could be twisted or just plain wrong. Even though you may get somethings right you need to humble yourself so you can be teachable.

 

[Rescued One]

I do believe he knows and taught the gospel bu you just don't understand the point he is making.

If you understand J. F. Smith's mind, enlighten CF. If not, resort to saying that it would be a waste of your time to do so. Instead of enlightening us, I suggest that you resort to attacking the supposed agenda and conclusions of the person you disagree with. And especially be sure to tell that person she needs to humble herself and assume that everyone will believe you are correct.

It would be a waste of my time to try and explain it to you because you don't want to learn anything that would put a d are so focused on your agenda of what ifferent perspective on the restored gospel. Youwe believe it never occurs to you that your conclusions could be twisted or just plain wrong. Even though you may get somethings right you need to humble yourself so you can be teachable.

Congratulations.

 

[Jane_Doe]

If you understand J. F. Smith's mind, enlighten CF. If not, resort to saying that it would be a waste of your time to do so.

Well, would YOU (the audience here) like to understand? Or are you uninterested?

If you are uninterested, then explaining is a waste of time.