D&C 76:54-70

76:54-70 - The list of requirements for those who are “just” continues “they are they who are the church of the Firstborn.” The IM teaches about this phrase saying, “Those who gain exaltation in the celestial kingdom are those who are members of the Church of the Firstborn; in other words, those who keep all the commandments of the Lord… The Lord has made it possible for us to become members of the Church of the Firstborn , by receiving the blessings of the house of the Lord and overcoming all things. Thus we become heirs, ‘priests, and kings, who have received of his fullness, and of his glory,’ who shall ‘dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever,’ with full exaltation.’ Certain apostates have taken this sacred name upon themselves, blasphemously claiming to have met all of these requirements, when they are in fact in a state of wickedness and rebellion.” The Lord says that “they are they into whose hands the Father has given all things- They are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fullness, and of his glory.” DJR has an interesting insight saying, “Faithful women in the Church are also included in the context of verse 56, above. Elder Bruce R. MCConkie said: ‘If righteous men have power through the gospel and its crowning ordinance of celestial marriage to become kings and priests to rule in exaltation forever, it follows that the women by their side (without whom they cannot attain exaltation) will be queens and priestesses. Exaltation grows out of the eternal union of a man and his wife. Of those whose marriage endures in eternity, the Lord says, ‘Then shall they be god;’ that is, each of them, the man and the woman, will be a god. As such they will rule over their dominions forever.’” There must be equality in all things. The Lord continues, “wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. And they shall overcome all things.” This is comforting to those of us who may not experience certain blessings in this lifetime, due to no fault of our own, for instance, I might not get married again in this life, but this is comforting that no blessings will be denied to us. It’s like Elder Holland says, “Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.” That’s on my grandma’s fridge and I like it a lot. DJR has some interesting insights on the word “shall,” saying, “the word ‘shall,’ in verse 60, above, is important. In fact, it is very comforting. It lets us know that we will be allowed to continue progressing in the next life, provided that we have qualified for that privilege during this life. None of us will be perfect when we die. There will be much progress and growth yet to be made after we pass away. However, once being judged worthy of exaltation on Judgment Day, those who receive this blessing will go on to ‘overcome all things.’ The Prophet Joseph Smith taught this. He said: ‘When you climb up a ladder, you much begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the Gospel- you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave.’” I like this eternal perspective, the progression, it doesn’t happen all at once, but baby steps until we get there.  The just “shall swell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever,” they will “come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over his people.” I’m not sure if this is indicative of some sort of governmental type responsibility during the Millenium. The Just will also be a part of the first resurrection, they will have their names written in heaven, and “who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood.” Another point that perfect is a process, not an event and they will have celestial bodies.