Question about Mark 13:20

[TheKitsuneFox]

What exactly does it mean by "the elect"? Does it mean only a select number of people will go to Heaven in The Last Days?

[livy111us]

“Actually, if the full blessings of salvation are to follow, the doctrine of election must operate twice. First, righteous spirits are elected or chosen to come to mortality as heirs of special blessings. Then, they must be called and elected again in this life, an occurrence which takes place when they join the true Church. (D&C 53:1) Finally, in order to reap eternal salvation, they must press forward in obedient devotion to the truth until they make their "calling and election sure" (2 Pet.1), that is, are "sealed up unto eternal life." (D&C 131:5) (Mormon Doctrine, p.216)

[Casper]

Those people how are mentioned in Mark 13:20 are also members of the church of the Firstborn. (D&C 76:51-58)

They have received the oath and covenant of the priesthood then magnified there priesthood and reached the level of translation just as Enoch did (D&C 84:33-35, D&C 76:57)

They are then outside the power of Satan like the three Nephites (3 Nephi 28:39) and can’t be tempted, this is why in mark 13:22 it says

"For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect."

And in Matthew 24:24

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

If it were possible they would be deceived or seduced, but because they are the elect of God and outside the power of Satan to be tempted they can’t be deceived. I don’t believe these are the only people that will go to heaven in the last days, by heaven I would think you are talking of the millennium.

The elect will be the first ones to move into the terrestrial state in preparation for the millennium in the last days. then they will go out as missionaries for the last time to gather out every one that will follow them from all over the world. (D&C 77:11)

Edited September 24, 2011 by Casper
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