Question
Dear Gramps,
I lived a rough life in my youth, but came back to the church, went to the temple, baptized and ordained my sons. All kinds of wonderful things. When my son received his blessing, it said he would come forth in the “morning” of the first resurrection and have exaltation. Mine only says I’ll come forth in the first resurrection. It doesn’t say “morning of”, or “exaltation”. Should I be worried? Will I not get that even though I’ve held to my covenants?
Jesse
Answer
Jesse,
I can understand why you might feel worried or concerned because a word is left out as words have meanings; however, if you are keeping the covenants you have made in the temple then you do not have to worry regarding the missing of “morning of” and “exaltation” within your patriarchal blessing.
The Church’s website answers your question also through its “Guide to the Scriptures” pertaining to the first resurrection, “The righteous will be resurrected before the wicked and will come forth in the First Resurrection (1 Thes. 4:16); the unrepentant sinners will come forth in the last resurrection (Rev. 20:5–13; D&C 76:85).” (emphasis mine)
As you read this you will see that the Church will at times specify the First Resurrection, and other times the Church will specify the “morning of the first resurrection” as seen here, “Faithful members of the Church will come forth in the morning of the First Resurrection and receive a glorified, celestial body (see D&C 76:64–65; 88:28–29).” (emphasis mine)
Here are other interpretations from scripture and the Church’s website for the “first resurrection”:
1) “And there cometh a resurrection, even a first resurrection; yea, even a resurrection of those that have been, and who are, and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ—for so shall he be called. And now, the resurrection of all the prophets, and all those that have believed in their words, or all those that have kept the commandments of God, shall come forth in the first resurrection; therefore, they are the first resurrection. They are raised to dwell with God who has redeemed them; thus they have eternal life through Christ, who has broken the bands of death.” (Mosiah 15:21-23)
2) “Two great resurrections await the inhabitants of the earth: one is the first resurrection, the resurrection of life, the resurrection of the just; the other is the second resurrection, the resurrection of damnation, the resurrection of the unjust. (John 5:28–29; Rev. 20; D. & C. 76.) But even within these two separate resurrections, there is an order in which the dead will come forth. Those being resurrected with celestial bodies, whose destiny is to inherit a celestial kingdom, will come forth in the morning of the first resurrection.” (Source)
3) “And after this another angel shall sound, which is the second trump; and then cometh the redemption of those who are Christ’s at his coming; who have received their part in that prison which is prepared for them, that they might receive the gospel, and be judged according to men in the flesh.’ (D. & C. 88:99.) This is the afternoon of the first resurrection; it takes place after our Lord has ushered in the millennium. Those coming forth at that time do so with terrestrial bodies and are thus destined to inherit a terrestrial glory in eternity. (D&C 76:71–80.) (Source)
4) If we are faithful to Jesus Christ, we will have part in the First Resurrection and reign with Christ during the Millennium.) (Source)
5)Elder James E. Talmage of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said the following of the First Resurrection: “The [First Resurrection] was inaugurated by the resurrection of Jesus Christ; immediately following which many of the saints came forth from their graves. A continuation of this, the resurrection of the just, has been in operation since, and will be greatly extended, or brought to pass in a general way, in connection with the coming of Christ in His glory” (The Articles of Faith, 12th ed. [1924], 385). (Source)
6) Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained, “Those who will come forth in the First Resurrection include “all the prophets, and all those that have believed in their words” (Mosiah 15:22), those who have died in ignorance without having had “salvation declared unto them” (Mosiah 15:24; see also D&C 45:54), and little children who have died before becoming accountable (see Mosiah 15:25; Moroni 8:4–24).” (Source)
Jesse, I believe all this information should provide you with the information you seek, and as to when you come forth in the First Resurrection will depend upon (like everyone else) your obedience to the covenants you have made and to the servants of the Lord (Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood).
Gramps
