
The phrase “having your calling and election made sure” refers to a concept within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Latter-day Saint) that denotes the spiritual assurance or confirmation that an individual has been chosen by God for eternal life and exaltation. This doctrine is considered a high spiritual attainment in Latter-day Saint theology, signaling that a person has received a divine assurance of their salvation.
The term originates in the New Testament, where the Apostle Peter encourages believers to "make your calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10). Latter-day Saints interpret this as an invitation to live in such a way that one’s eternal destiny is assured through obedience, faithfulness, and covenantal relationships with God. The doctrine of having one’s calling and election made sure is further elaborated in the Doctrine & Covenants, particularly in Doctrine & Covenants 132:49 and Doctrine & Covenants 88:3-4, which suggest that, through faithfulness, an individual can receive a divine confirmation of their exaltation.
In Latter-day Saint doctrine, to "have your calling and election made sure" means that an individual is guaranteed a place in the celestial kingdom (the highest of the three degrees of glory in Latter-day Saint theology), conditional on their continued righteousness and obedience to God's commandments. This experience is said to involve a personal revelation from the Holy Spirit, confirming that a person is on the path to eternal life and that they are sealed by the Holy Ghost unto eternal life.
Latter-day Saint teachings suggest that this assurance is often experienced after a person has lived faithfully for many years and has received the highest priesthood ordinances, including the temple endowment and sealing ordinances. However, it is also emphasized that this state is not static—individuals are still expected to remain faithful, diligent, and repentant throughout their lives, for the experience of having their calling and election made sure is not a final guarantee but a confirmation of what they can ultimately achieve if they remain steadfast.
The prophet Joseph Smith taught that when a person’s calling and election is made sure, they may be shown by the Holy Spirit that they have been accepted by God, and that they are assured of eternal life as long as they remain faithful. This concept is linked closely to the doctrine of exaltation, which means that, in addition to salvation, they can receive all of God’s blessings, including eternal marriage, and be joint-heirs with Christ.
The doctrine emphasizes the Latter-day Saint belief in the possibility of personal revelation and the principle that salvation is not solely a matter of accepting Christ, but of maintaining an ongoing covenant relationship with Him. To "have one's calling and election made sure" is a pinnacle of spiritual experience, involving both divine confirmation and the assurance that one’s eternal destiny is secure. It reflects a deep level of spiritual preparation, righteousness, and connection with God.
“The Second Comforter” refers to a specific, intimate manifestation of Christ's presence to a faithful Latter-day Saint who has met the necessary spiritual prerequisites.
Though the term "Second Comforter" does not explicitly appear in Latter-day Saint scripture, the concept is derived from key passages in the Doctrine & Covenants, and teachings from Joseph Smith and other prophets.
The Second Comforter is understood to be a personal, transformative experience in which the faithful individual receives a divine visit from Jesus Christ. This encounter is seen as a higher level of spiritual experience, wherein the person becomes more intimately acquainted with the Savior, receiving both a witness of His reality and a more profound understanding of His love and Atonement.
For Latter-day Saints, receiving the Second Comforter is considered a rare and sacred event, typically occurring after one has been thoroughly purified and has demonstrated complete faithfulness and obedience to God. Those who are "worthy" to experience the Second Comforter have likely received the full complement of ordinances, including the temple endowment and sealing ordinances, and have maintained a life of righteousness, diligence, and covenant devotion.
The visit of the Second Comforter is thought to involve a powerful, personal revelation in which the individual is assured of their relationship with the Savior, and they may receive a witness that they are on the path to salvation and exaltation. This experience is not viewed as one-time but as a continuation of a deeper relationship with Christ, providing the individual with ongoing guidance and spiritual insight.
The experience of receiving the Second Comforter is often closely associated with the doctrine of "having one’s calling and election made sure." While having one’s calling and election made sure signifies a divine assurance of exaltation, the Second Comforter is viewed as the personal, experiential confirmation of Christ’s approval and presence in the life of the believer. The two doctrines are intertwined, as the Second Comforter can be understood as one way in which an individual might receive the confirmation that their calling and election have indeed been made sure. In this sense, the Second Comforter represents both a spiritual confirmation and a deeply intimate relationship with the Savior, culminating in a higher degree of sanctification and spiritual assurance.
Both having your calling and election made sure and the Second Comforter represent high spiritual attainments in Latter-day Saint theology. Having one’s calling and election made sure is a confirmation from God that a person is on the path to eternal life and exaltation, while the Second Comforter refers to the personal, divine visitation of Christ, which leads to a more intimate and transformative relationship with Him. Together, these doctrines underscore the Latter-day Saint belief in the possibility of individual, personal revelation and the ultimate goal of becoming fully united with Christ and Heavenly Father. They represent milestones in a believer's journey toward full spiritual refinement and exaltation, emphasizing that salvation is not only about the final destination but also about the transformative experiences along the way.