The Church of the Firstborn

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may or may not become members of the Church of the Firstborn. After new members place their feet upon the path to salvation by submitting themselves to baptism and confirmation, each is free to realize as much or as little of their God-given potential as they desire. The members of the Church of the Firstborn are those Saints who are found worthy of exaltation or eternal life. The Apostle Paul understood this requirement and taught it to the Hebrews. “. . . To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, . . .” (Hebrews 12:23).

Contrary to the belief of some, the Kingdom of God on the earth or the Latter-day Saint Church is not the Church of the Firstborn. The key words distinguishing the membership of the Church of the Firstborn from all of the Father’s other spirit children are those that refer to the “fulness of the Father” or language to this effect in reference to their eventual reward. To have a fulness of what the Father has means to live as He lives i.e., to be exalted or to have eternal life. This is the great promise made by the Father to all who faithfully live in accordance with the terms of the oath and covenant of the Melchizedek Priesthood. “And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:38). To live as the Father lives requires us to take upon ourselves all of the ordinances available in a Latter-day Saint temple including the new and everlasting covenant of marriage. “In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; And if he does not, he cannot obtain it. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase” (D&C 131:1-4).

Now consider the following scripture quotes noting the key language already discussed. “They who dwell in his presence are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fulness and of his grace; And he makes them equal in power, and in might, and in dominion” (D&C 76:94-95). “For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace. And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn; And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the church of the Firstborn” (D&C 93:20-22). “And again, we saw the terrestrial world, and behold and lo, these are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that of the church of the Firstborn who have received the fulness of the Father, even as that of the moon differs from the sun in the firmament” (D&C 76:71).