Who Can Make Their Calling and Election Sure
Elder Bruce R. McConkie speaking at a BYU Devotional said the following,
“This, then, without amplifying, without saying more, is the doctrine that is involved. It is a true doctrine; it is a sound doctrine. What does it mean to us? It is not something that is beyond us; it is not outside the realm of our capabilities. The Lord would not offer baptism to a people and say, "Be baptized and you can be saved in my kingdom," unless he knew that the people had it within their power to enter into baptism and to do the things that will result in the promised salvation. And the Lord would not offer to a people celestial marriage and say to them, "Now enter this order of matrimony and keep the covenant and you will have eternal life," unless he knew that the people had the talent and the spiritual capacity and ability to gain the promised reward. And the same thing applies to making our calling and election sure. The Lord would not say to us, "Make your calling and election sure," unless he knew it was within our spiritual potential -- unless we had the capacity and ability to press forward in steadfastness and devotion until that desired eventuality occurred.
…
Now, I am suggesting that this is within the realm of possibility and of probability for the members of the Church today. Many in this dispensation have obtained such a status. This ought to cause us to make a firm and unshakable determination to gain the blessings and benefits of baptism; to gain the blessings and benefits of celestial marriage; and in each instance those blessings accrue on condition that we keep the covenants that we make in connection with those holy ordinances. And then we ought to press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, keeping the commandments and living by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God, so that our calling and election shall be made sure. In one manner of speaking, this is the most glorious doctrine that there is in the Church. It is the doctrine that assures people of eternal reward in the kingdom of God. By the grace and glory and goodness of a merciful Father, he has restored in this, our day, the knowledge, the doctrine, the keys, the priesthood, the powers -- everything that is needed to seal men up unto eternal life. Our objective, our goal, our aim, our determination in this life is to press forward with that steadfastness and devotion which will give us complete peace and satisfaction and joy in this life and assure us of eternal life in the world to come.” - "Making Our Calling & Election Sure: - Elder Bruce R. McConkie, First Council of the Seventy, BYU Devotional, 25 March 1969
All mankind are capable of receiving this blessing, but even more, we are commanded to receive it. In the ancient church, Peter continually admonished everyone to make their Calling and Election sure saying,
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
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." - 2 Peter 1:10-12
We add our voice to the many prophets ancient and modern who encourage you to receive your calling and election made sure. One of the major messages of this book is to proclaim that it is within your grasp to receive this incredible blessing.
Not only is it a potential, and a commandment, but it is essential to receiving Exaltation and Eternal Life in the Celestial Kingdom.
Making your Calling & Election Sure is not merely a nice thing to do. It is a requirement for anyone who expects to obtain the Celestial Kingdom, Exaltation and Eternal Life with all the benefits that these entail. Elder McConkie explained,
“Obviously any person who gains exaltation, in the ultimate and in the end, has made his calling and election sure. So in one manner of speaking, no one will ever gain exaltation, no one will every have the family unit continue in eternity unless his calling and election has been made sure, or in other words, unless he has gained the promise that he shall inherit eternal life.” - "Making Our Calling & Election Sure: - Elder Bruce R. McConkie, First Council of the Seventy, BYU Devotional, 25 March 1969
In the October General Conference of 1949, Elder Marion G. Romney said,
“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 been "... baptized after the manner of his burial"; second, he must have received "the Holy Spirit by the laying on of 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 which brings to him the peace in this world which will sustain him in every tribulation.” - "Fruits of the Gospel" by Marion G. Romney
Please understand that this blessing as with all of God’s blessings is within your reach regardless of age, race or gender.
This then brings us to the final key by which you can receive the promise for yourself…