CALLING AND ELECTION (Teachings of Joseph Smith)

Table Of Contents
  1. Personage of Jesus Christ Will Appear to Those Who Receive Their Calling and Election — Wilford Woodruff Account (Between circa June 26 and circa July 2, 1839)
  2. Those Who Obtain Their Calling and Election Receive the Second Comforter (Jesus Christ) — Willard Richards Account (Between circa June 26 and circa July 2, 1839)
  3. Calling and Election Revealed by Sealing Power and Other Comforter — Wilford Woodruff Account (Between circa June 26 and circa July 2, 1839)
  4. Significance and Purpose of Receiving Your Calling and Election — Willard Richards Account (Between circa June 26 and circa July 2, 1839)
  5. Knowledge of the Savior through Calling and Election Is a Key and Those Who Reject It Will Be Damned — Wilford Woodruff Account (May 14, 1843)
  6. Calling and Election Is Connected with a More Sure Word of Prophecy and Knowledge through Jesus Christ — Wilford Woodruff Account (May 14, 1843)
  7. Make Your Calling & Election Sure — Levi Richards Account (May 21, 1843)
  8. Must Receive Knowledge and Promise of Your Calling & Election — Howard Coray Account (May 21, 1843)
  9. Knowledge Connected with Calling & Election — Willard Richards Account (May 21, 1843)
  10. 3 Grand Keys Related to Knowledge, Calling & Election — James Burgess Account (May 21, 1843)
  11. Importance of Having Your Calling & Election and 3 Keys — Church History Account (May 21, 1843)
  12. Doctrine of Election (Connected with the Abrahamic Covenant and Sealing Power of Elijah) Seals Children and Parents Together — Martha Jane Knowlton Coray Account (August 13, 1843)
  13. Calling and Election Secures Posterity to Parents — William Clayton Account (August 13, 1843)
  14. Abrahamic Covenant and Spirit of Elijah connected with Doctrine of Election and Sealings — Willard Richards Account (August 13, 1843)
  15. Doctrine of Election Connected with Sealing on Forehead of Parents — Franklin D. Richards Account (August 13, 1843)
  16. Calling and Election Connected with Sealing Power of Elijah — Willard Richards Account (August 27, 1843)
  17. Calling and Election Ensures Eternal Life and a Promise for Posterity — James Burgess Account (March 10, 1844)
  18. The Apostle Paul’s Explanation of Election/Grace — James Burgess (March 10, 1844)
  19. Sealing Power of Elijah Connected with Calling & Election — Franklin D. Richards Account (March 10, 1844)
  20. Power of Elijah Sufficient to Make Calling & Election Sure — Wilford Woodruff Account (March 10, 1844)

Personage of Jesus Christ Will Appear to Those Who Receive Their Calling and Election — Wilford Woodruff Account (Between circa June 26 and circa July 2, 1839)

After a person hath faith in Christ, repents of his Sins & is baptized for the remission of his Sins & recieves the Holy Ghost (by the laying on of hands,) which is the first Comforter then let him continue to humble himself before God hungering & thirsting after righteousness & living by every word of God, & the Lord will soon say unto him Son thou shalt be exalted, &c. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him & find that the man is determind to serve him at all hazard then the man will find his calling & Election made sure then it will be his privilege to recieve the other Comforter which the Lord hath promised the Saints as is recorded in the testimony of St. John in the XIV ch from the 12 to the 27 vers note the 16-17-18-21:23 verses Now what is this other Comforter it is no more or less than the Lord Jesus Christ himself & this is the sum & substance of the whole matter that when any man obtains this last Comforter he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him or appear unto him from time to time Even he will manifest the Father unto him & they will take up there abode with him & the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him & the Lord will teach him face to face & he may have a perfect knowledg of the mysteries of the kingdom of God.

Discourse, between circa 26 June and circa 2 July 1839, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff, pp. 32-34, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Those Who Obtain Their Calling and Election Receive the Second Comforter (Jesus Christ) — Willard Richards Account (Between circa June 26 and circa July 2, 1839)

. . . After a person hath faith in Christ, repents of his sins, & is Baptized for the remission of his sins & 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 & thirsting after Righteousness. & living by every word of God & the Lord will soon say unto him Son thou shalt be exalted, &c When the Lord has thorougly proved him & finds that the man is determined to serve him at all hazard. then the man will find his calling & Election made sure then it will be his privilige to receive the other Comforter which the Lord hath promised the saints as is recorded in the testimony of St John in the XIV ch from the 12th to the 27 verses Note the  16.17.18.21.23. verses. (16. vs) & I will pray the father & he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; (17) Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you & shall be with in​ you, (18) I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you (21) He that hath my commandments & keepeth them, he it is that loveth me, & he that loveth me shall be loved of my father. & I will love him & will manifest myself to him (23) If a man love me he will keep my words, & my Father will love him, & we will come unto him, & make our abode with him.

Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more or less than the Lord Jesus Christ himself & this is the sum & substance of the whole matter, that when any man obtains this last Comforter he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him or appear unto him from time to time. & even he will manifest the Father unto him & they will take up their abode with him, & the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him & the Lord will teach him face to face & he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God.

Discourse, between circa 26 June and circa 2 July 1839, as Reported by Willard Richards, pp. 17-21, The Joseph Smith Papers; brackets and underline in original.

Calling and Election Revealed by Sealing Power and Other Comforter — Wilford Woodruff Account (Between circa June 26 and circa July 2, 1839)

St Paul exhorts us to make our calling & Election shure. This is that Sealing Power spoken of by Paul in other places See Ephe 1st 13–14. vs that we may be sealed up unto the day of redemption, this principle ought (in its proper place) to be taught for God hath not revealed any thing to Joseph but what he will make known unto the Twelve & even the least saint may know all things as fast as he is able to hear them for the day must come when no man need say to his neighbour know ye the Son 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 & the other Comforter spoken of which will be manifest by Revelation. . . .

Discourse, between circa 26 June and circa 2 July 1839, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff, pp. 29-30, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Significance and Purpose of Receiving Your Calling and Election — Willard Richards Account (Between circa June 26 and circa July 2, 1839)

St Paul exhorts us to make our calling & Election shure. This is that sealing power spoken of by Paul in other places (See Eph I.13.14. In whom ye also trusted, that after ye heard the word of truth; the gospel of your salvation, in whom also after that ye believed. ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. Which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory.) That we may be sealed up unto the day of redemption, this principle ought, (in its proper place) to be taught, for God hath not revealed any thing to Joseph, but what he will make known unto the Twelve & 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 & the other comforter spoken of which will be manifest by Revelation.

Discourse, between circa 26 June and circa 2 July 1839, as Reported by Willard Richards, pp. 17-18, The Joseph Smith Papers; brackets and underline in original.

Knowledge of the Savior through Calling and Election Is a Key and Those Who Reject It Will Be Damned — Wilford Woodruff Account (May 14, 1843)

Then knowledge through our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ— is the grand key [drawing of a key] that unlocks the glories & misteries of the kingdom of heaven Compair this principle once with Christendom at the present day & whare are they with all their boasted religion piety & sacredness while at the same time they are crying out against Prophets Apostles Angels Revelations Prophesyings, & visions &c. why they are Just ripening for the damnation of hell, they will be damned for they reject the most glorious principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ & treat with disdain & trample under foot the main key that unlocks the heavens & puts in our possession the glories of the celestial world. yes I say such will be damned with all their professed godliness

Discourse, 14 May 1843, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff, p. 32, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Calling and Election Is Connected with a More Sure Word of Prophecy and Knowledge through Jesus Christ — Wilford Woodruff Account (May 14, 1843)

Now their is some grand secrett here & keys to unlock the subject Notwithstanding the Apostle Exhorts them to Add to their faith virtue knowledge temperane &c yet he Exhorts them to make their calling & election shure & though they had herd the audible voice from heaven bearing testinoy that Jesus was the son of God yet he says we have a more sure word of Prophecy whare unto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light shining in a dark place. Now wharein could they have a more sure word of prophecy than to hear the voice of God saying this is my Beloved son &c Now for the secret & grand key. though they might hear the voice of God & know that Jesus was the son of God this would be no evidence that their election & calling was made shure that they had part with Christ & was a Joint heir with him, they then would want that more sure word of prophecy that they were sealed in the heavens & had the promise of eternal live in the kingdom of God— then having this promise sealed unto them it was as an anchor to the soul sure & steadfast though the thunders might roll; & lightnings flash & earthquakes Bellow & war gather thick around yet this hope & knowledge would support the soul in evry hour of trial trouble & tribulation Then knowledge through our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ— is the grand key [drawing of a key] that unlocks the glories & misteries of the kingdom of heaven . . .

Then I would exhort you to go on & continue to call upon God untill you make your calling & election sure for yourselves by obtaining this more sure word of Prophescy & wait patiently for the promise untill you obtain it

Discourse, 14 May 1843, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff, pp. 31-33, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Make Your Calling & Election Sure — Levi Richards Account (May 21, 1843)

. . . add to your faith virtues &c. . . another point after having all these qualifications he lays this injunction but rather make your calling & election sure— after adding all this virtue knowledge &c Make your calling sure . . .

Discourse, 21 May 1843, as Reported by Levi Richards, p. 1, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Must Receive Knowledge and Promise of Your Calling & Election — Howard Coray Account (May 21, 1843)

ye shall neither be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. he that lacketh these things is blind— wherefore the rather brethren after all this give diligence to make your Calling & Election sure . . .

Oh Peter if they who were of like precious faith with thee were injoined to make their Calling & Election sure, how much more all we, There are two Keys, one Key knowledge, the other, make your Calling & election sure, for if you do these things you shall never fall for so an entrance shall be adminestere unto you abundently unto the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ . . .

It is one thing to receive knowledge by the voice of God, (this is my beloved Son &c), & another to Know that you yourself will be Saved. to have a positive promise of your own Salvation is making your calling & election Sure, Viz the voice of Jesus Saying my beloved thou shalt have eternal life. Brethren never cease strugling until you get this evidence . . .

Discourse, 21 May 1843, as Reported by Howard Coray, pp. 39-40, 43-46, The Joseph Smith Papers; parentheses and underline in original.

Knowledge Connected with Calling & Election — Willard Richards Account (May 21, 1843)

like precious faith with us . . .—add to your faith virtue &c . . . another point after having all these qualifictins qualifications he lays this inju[c]ti[o]n.— but rather make your calling & election sure—

. . . after all this make your calling and election sure. if this injunction would lay lageley [largely] on those to whom it was spoken. how much more those to them of the 19. century.—

1 Key Knowledge in the power of Salvation.

2 Key Make his calling and Election Sure.

Journal, December 1842–June 1844; Book 2, 10 March 1843–14 July 1843, p. 214, 217, The Joseph Smith Papers.

3 Grand Keys Related to Knowledge, Calling & Election — James Burgess Account (May 21, 1843)

There are three grand Keys to unlock the whole subject. First what is the knowledge of God, second what is it to make our calling and election sure Third and last is how to make our calling and election sure. Answer, it is to obtain a promise from God for myself that I shall have Eternal life, that is the more sure word of prophycy. Peter was writeing to those of like precious faith with them the Apostles First to be sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise that is the testimony of Jesus . . .

Discourse, 21 May 1843, as Reported by James Burgess, pp. 8-9, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Importance of Having Your Calling & Election and 3 Keys — Church History Account (May 21, 1843)

We have no claim in an eternal compact, in relation to eternal things unless our actions & contracts & all things tend to this end. but after all this you have got to make your calling & election sure. If this injunction would lay 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 & hear the excellent voice &c &c & another to hear the voice declare to you, you have a part & lot in that Kingdom.

History Draft [1 March–31 December 1843], p. 34, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Doctrine of Election (Connected with the Abrahamic Covenant and Sealing Power of Elijah) Seals Children and Parents Together — Martha Jane Knowlton Coray Account (August 13, 1843)

But before that God shall send unto them Elijah the prophet and he shall reveal unto them the covenants of the fathers with relation to the children and the covenants of the children in relation to the Fathers that they may have the priviledge of entering into the same in order to effect their mutual Salvation And I saw another angel ascending from the east having the Seal of the living God and he cried &c. saying Hurt not the Earth nor sea nor trees till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads—

Now I would ask who know the seal of the living God Behold the ignorance of the World

A measure of this sealing is to confirm upon their head in common with Elijah the doctrine of Election or the covenant with Abraham— which which when a Father & Mother of a family have entered into their children who have not transgressed are secured by the seal wherewith the Parents have been sealed— And this is the Oath of God unto our Father Abraham and this doctrine shall stand forever—

Mourners: I exhort you to do as your Father and husband would direct— be sealed by the by the servants of God—

Discourse, 13 August 1843–A, as Reported by Martha Jane Knowlton Coray, p. 33-35, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Calling and Election Secures Posterity to Parents — William Clayton Account (August 13, 1843)

When speaking of the passage “I will send Elijah the prophet &c” he said it should read and he shall turn the hearts of the children to the covenant made with their fathers Also where it says and they shall seal the servants of God in their foreheads &c it means to seal the blessing on their heads meaning the everlasting covenant thereby making their calling & election sure When a seal is put upon the father and mother it secures their posterity so that they cannot be lost but will be saved by virtue of the covenant of their father.

Discourse, 13 August 1843–A, as Reported by William Clayton, p. 87, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Abrahamic Covenant and Spirit of Elijah connected with Doctrine of Election and Sealings — Willard Richards Account (August 13, 1843)

The world is reserved unto burning in the last days—— he shall send Elijah the prophet . . . and he shall reveal the covenants of the fathrs in relation to the childrn,— and the covenants of the children in relation to the fathrs.—

4 destroying angels holding power over the 4 quarters of the earth— until the the servants of God are seald in their foreheads.— what is that seal. shall I tell you? No.—

Doctrine Election.—— sealing. of the sevats servants of our god on the top of their heads.— tis the not the cross as the catholics would have it. doctrine of Election to Abraham was in the relation to the Lord.— A man wishes to be embraced in the covenant of Abraham— a man Judge. Higby—— in world.— of spirits— is sealed unto the throne, & doctrine of Election sealing the father & childrn together.

Discourse, 13 August 1843–A, as Reported by Willard Richards, pp. 48-49, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Doctrine of Election Connected with Sealing on Forehead of Parents — Franklin D. Richards Account (August 13, 1843)

What is the seal spoken of in Rev 7— 3 find it out if you can I will not reveal it now but will drop an idea that I have never revealed concerning Election connected with the sealing of the servants of God in the fore or top of the head

Judge Higbee would say that covenants either there or here must be made in view of eternity and that covenant sealed on the foreheads of the Parents secured the children from falling that they shall all sit upon thrones as one with the God-head Joint Heirs of God with Jesus Christ

This principle is revealed also through the covenant of Abraham and his children This is also the blessing and consolation of the mourners—

Discourse, 13 August 1843-A, as Reported by Franklin D. Richards, pp. 29-30, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Calling and Election Connected with Sealing Power of Elijah — Willard Richards Account (August 27, 1843)

how shall god come to the rescue of this generatin. he shall send Elijah law reveald to moses in Horeb never was reveald to the C of Israel

and he shall reveal the covents to seal the heats of the fathers to the childrn and teh childrn to the fathers. anointing & sealing calld elected and made sure without father &c. a priesthood which holds the presthood by right from the Eternal Gods.— and not by descent from father and mother

Discourse, 27 August 1843, as Reported by Willard Richards, pp. 73-74, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Calling and Election Ensures Eternal Life and a Promise for Posterity — James Burgess Account (March 10, 1844)

Make your calling and election sure go on from grace to grace untill you obtain a promise from God for yourselves that you shall have eternal life, this is eternal life to know God and his son Jesus Christ, it is to be sealed up unto eternal life and obtain a promise for our posterity. Whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, this is the power of Elijah to seal or bind or turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, sealed against all sin but the sin of sheding innocent blood and the sin against the holy ghost. David was one of the promised seed yet he was guilty of murder see Acts Chap 2 & 3 other sins will go to judgement before hand.

Discourse, 10 March 1844, as Reported by James Burgess, pp. 23, The Joseph Smith Papers.

The Apostle Paul’s Explanation of Election/Grace — James Burgess (March 10, 1844)

Now we come to talk about [calling and] election a great deal is said about it, one way or another, The prespetari says once in grace always in grace, the methodist says once in grace can fall from grace and be renewed again. there is some truth in both of these statements Paul says in the 6 chap of hebrews that after arriving at a certain knowledge and then fall away it is impossible to renew them again, well paul the prespatarian says once in grace always in grace I say it is not so the Methodist says once in grace can fall from grace and be renewed again I Paul say it is impossible seeing that they crucify to themselves the son of God afresh and put him to an open shame.

Discourse, 10 March 1844, as Reported by James Burgess, p. 22, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Sealing Power of Elijah Connected with Calling & Election — Franklin D. Richards Account (March 10, 1844)

The spirit of Elijah is that degree of power which holds the sealing power of the Kingdom to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children & of the children their fathers not only on earth but in Heaven both the living & the Dead to each other for they (the dead) cannot be made perfect without us Heb 11— 40

This power of Elijah is to that of Elias what in the architecture of the Temple of God those who seal or cement the stone to their places are to those who cut or hew the stones the one preparing the way for the other to accomplish the work By this we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise ie Elijah

To obtain this sealing is to make our calling and election sure which we ought to give all diligence to accomplish

Discourse, 10 March 1844, as Reported by Franklin D. Richards, p. 33, The Joseph Smith Papers.

Power of Elijah Sufficient to Make Calling & Election Sure — Wilford Woodruff Account (March 10, 1844)

Revelation worth all sectarian notions and Calling and Election connected with the power of Elijah

. . . for while the spirit of Elias is a forerunner the power of Elijah is sufficient to make our Calling & Election sure & the same doctrin whare we are exhorted to go on unto perfection not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works but of laying on of hands resurrection of the dead &c we cannot be perfect without the fathers, &c we must have revelations them & we can see that the doctrin of revelation as far transcends the doctrin of no revelation as knowlede is above ignorance for one truth revealed from heaven is worth all the sectarian notions in exhistance. This spirit of Elijah was manifest in the days of the Apostles in delivering certain ones to the buffitings of Satan that they may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus they were sealed by the spirit of Elijah unto the damnation of Hell untill the day of the Lord or revelation of Jesus Christ Here is the doctrin of Election that the world have quarreled so much about but they do not know any thing about it . . .

Discourse, 10 March 1844, as Reported by Wilford Woodruff, p. 209, The Joseph Smith Papers.
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