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What does it mean to make your "calling and election sure" — and what is the Holy Spirit of Promise that seals it? In this episode of Thinning of the Veil, host Tia Smith opens up one of the most powerful and least-understood doctrines in the Church: how, for Latter-day Saints (LDS), the Holy Spirit of Promise ratifies our covenants, and how eternal life can be assured while we still live.
Beginning with the "olive leaf" revelation (Doctrine and Covenants 88), Tia shows that the Holy Spirit of Promise is the Holy Ghost — the sealing, ratifying power that places the Lord's "stamp of approval" on every ordinance (baptism, confirmation, ordination, marriage), provided we remain faithful. She carefully walks John 14 to distinguish the First Comforter (the Holy Ghost) from the Second Comforter (the Savior Himself), using Joseph Smith's teachings, and cautions against trying to skip the process. Drawing on Joseph Fielding Smith, Bruce R. McConkie, James E. Faust, and Marion G. Romney, she explains that these blessings are meant to be sought in this life — and even points out how our own hymns ("Come, Listen to a Prophet's Voice," "Press Forward, Saints") sing of seeking eternal life.
Then she brings it home to the gathering: making our calling and election sure runs directly through temple and family history work. Vicarious ordinances take effect only when those who've passed accept them, keep the covenants, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise — which means we help secure our ancestors' calling and election as we do their work. Sacrifice, she teaches from the Lectures on Faith, is the very thing that gives us the faith to lay hold on eternal life. Tia closes with the first "names in a dream" experience she ever had (November 2012) — a tender miracle that opened the door to how the Lord has spoken to her ever since.
Q: What is the Holy Spirit of Promise? (LDS)
A: Tia teaches that it is the Holy Ghost acting in His sealing and ratifying role — placing the Lord's stamp of approval on every ordinance and covenant, so they have force after this life, provided we remain faithful.
Q: What does it mean to make your calling and election sure?
A: It means, through faithfulness and sacrifice, receiving the "more sure word of prophecy" — the assurance of eternal life — which Tia teaches is meant to be sought in this life, not only the next.
Q: How is this connected to temple and family history work?
A: Vicarious ordinances take effect only when the deceased accept them, keep the covenants, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise — so as we do their work, we help secure their calling and election, and our own sacrifice builds the faith to lay hold on eternal life.
Eternal life can be assured in this life — and the path runs straight through the gathering.
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CITATIONS:
Doctrine & Covenants: 88:3-5
Eternal Marriage Student Manual, “The Holy Spirit of Promise
Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice: Hymn 21
Press Forward, Saints: Hymn 81
Gently Raise the Sacred Strain , Hymn 146
"Holy Spirit of Promise", Guide to the Scriptures, Index to the Triple Combination
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Three 1838-39, p.150).
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Three 1838-39, p.150).
John 14:12-28
Joseph Fielding Smith(Doctrines of Salvation, 1:45)
Bruce R. McConkie, (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, p. 55; vol. 2, pp. 94–99.)
James E Faust, “The Gift of the Holy Ghost—A Sure Compass”, April 1989: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1989/04/the-gift-of-the-holy-ghost-a-sure-compass?lang=eng
D&C 76: 52-60
Lawrence R. Flake, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 2, “Holy Spirit of Promise”, Copyright © 1992 by Macmillan Publishing Company
Marion G. Romney, “Making Our Calling and Election Sure”, October 1965
"Vicarious Work"- Topics and Questions
Joseph Smith, TPJS, p. 306
Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith Section 6
Joseph Smith TPJS 366
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