The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that the authority to perform resurrections, known as the keys of resurrection, is currently held exclusively by Jesus Christ. This authority is not possessed by mortals during their earthly existence but will be conferred upon individuals after they themselves have been resurrected. This doctrine emphasizes the sanctity and divine order associated with the resurrection process.
President Brigham Young articulated this principle, stating, "We have not, neither can we receive here, the ordinance and the keys of resurrection." He further explained that these keys "will be given to those who have passed off this stage of action and have received their bodies again." In this context, resurrected beings will be ordained by those who hold the keys of resurrection to "go forth and resurrect the Saints."
This perspective underscores the belief that while the Church administers all necessary ordinances for salvation and exaltation during mortal life, certain ordinances and keys are reserved for administration beyond this world. The conferral of the keys of resurrection upon resurrected beings aligns with the divine order and timing established by God.
In contrast to some religious traditions that may hold varying views on the authority to resurrect, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains that the power to resurrect is a divinely held key, currently exercised solely by Jesus Christ. This understanding emphasizes a structured and hierarchical approach to divine authority, where certain powers are bestowed according to God's eternal plan and timing.
Adherents of this belief find unique privileges and benefits in recognizing the divine order associated with the keys of resurrection. It instills a sense of humility, acknowledging that certain divine powers are beyond mortal reach and are granted according to God's wisdom. This doctrine also provides comfort, affirming that loved ones will be resurrected through divine authority and that faithful individuals may, in the eternities, participate in the resurrection of others under the direction of Jesus Christ. This perspective fosters profound trust in divine wisdom and timing, reinforcing the importance of faith and obedience in the mortal journey.
The doctrine that only the resurrected will resurrect others highlights the structured and hierarchical nature of divine authority as understood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It emphasizes the sanctity of certain powers, the orderliness of God's plan, and the ultimate hope of resurrection and eternal life through adherence to divine principles.