They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.The ordinance of the endowment portrays the process of the Saints becoming “the sons of Moses and of Aaron,” and the sealing ordinance of celestial marriage symbolizes their becoming “the seed of Abraham.” The phrase “the church and kingdom” refers to the blessings of the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood, belonging to one who is made a “king and a priest unto God, bearing rule, authority, and dominion under the Father.” Correspondingly, worthy women may receive the blessings of becoming queens and priestesses. Continuing with this description of the required sequence of temple blessings, in this article we will examine the phrase “the elect of God.” In the language of scripture, to be “elect” is to be “chosen.” The scriptures and the teachings of Joseph Smith refer to the blessing of election as having one’s calling and election made sure or as having received the “more sure word of prophecy” (i.e., “a man’s knowing that he is sealed up to eternal life”).
The knowledge received by this means is something even more than a personal vision or visitation of Jesus Christ or a testimony from heaven that He is the Son of God. Specifically, those who have received the fulness of the priesthood and who have afterward demonstrated their determination to serve God “at all hazards” eventually will be privileged to hear the solemn oath from the Father Himself that they shall obtain the fulness of the joys of the celestial kingdom forever and ever. For example, although Abraham previously had received the blessings of patriarchal marriage, and then had been made a king and a priest under the hands of Melchizedek,[xi] Abraham’s “election sure” came only afterward, when he demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac.
...
Full text
