Firsthand Accounts of the Second Anointing

[_the road to hana]

Just FYI the original thread has been archived over at RFM, so will be available online indefinitely.

[_Scottie]

While it might not be universally true, it's generally well known that those who rise to the position of leadership within the LDS Church (stake president, mission president, temple president, General Authority) are frequently people who've been more successful than less. Successful businessmen in the church who show high levels of activity generally have that rewarded with callings that reflect it. It's unlikely the author of the OP is the wealthiest man in the church in the same lines of a Mitt Romney, Bill Marriott or Jon Huntsman, but it's also unlikely he's among the poorest of the poor.

I'd argue that it's precisely because he is a person of good intent and heart that he chooses to share his experience to illuminate the difficulties he had with it to others. And I'd also argue that those who get "nominated" to receive the blessing are not generally those who are on Church welfare or struggling financially. The church needs a way to bestow an honor on those it chooses to recognize, and wrapping it up as a special exaltation present makes it all the more special.

This is a nice speculation, but there is nothing to say it is true.

Isn't it generally your own experience that successful businessmen in the church who are active tend to be in positions of greater leadership? Isn't it generally your own experience that those who hold the highest positions of leadership within the church are not among the poorest of the poor?

Well, yes, but this isn't a leadership position.

If you read the original post from RFM with the first-hand account, he notes that of the four couples there that day receiving the ordinance, two were former stake presidents and one was a former mission president.

It's also been noted by others in the past that the ordinance is more frequently given to leaders in higher positions.

So while it isn't a leadership position itself, it can be perceived to be a blessing or distinction bestowed on those who have served in leadership positions.

I thought you were talking about Q70/Big 15 type leadership positions.

In the case of SPs and MPs, no, I do not see that wealthy men are more likely to receive those callings than poor.

My ex FIL was a mission pres, and he is FAR from wealthy. I'm not sure he would qualify as poor, per se... Heck, he might even have received his CaEMS.

[_the road to hana]

My ex FIL was a mission pres, and he is FAR from wealthy. I'm not sure he would qualify as poor, per se... Heck, he might even have received his CaEMS.

And what did he do for a living?

[_MishMagnet]

I would be almost certain a member of my family went through this process. This member of the family was high ranking in the church, related to the prophet, Temple President, etc. As a child I had dinner with Ezra Taft Benson at this individuals home.

This individual, very sadly, molested both myself and another family member that I know of. I cannot tell you how this has affected my life, the hardships that I continue to carry due to this happening to me as a child. This other family member has serious depressive episodes, she has been affected 10x over what I have been.

Of course I don't believe in the church and don't believe in the caste system of heaven currently under discussion. Still, though, if this family member had received the second annointing they are guaranteed the CK despite being a child molester? Under the same system I would be in a lower kingdom for leaving the church. I guess so, according to what I'm hearing here.

[_Sethbag]

One thing that ought to be mentioned is that from my understanding of LDS theology, there will be no difference between the exaltation achieved by one who has had their CAEMS on Earth while alive, and one who lives a live worthy of exaltation but who does not experience their CAEMS on Earth. The presumption is that this will occur for them either while they're in the spirit world, or after their resurrection, or whatever. So it's not really a "caste system" at least related to one's final reward, though here during this life it would certainly make those who experienced it feel like they were within a secret and elite "inner circle" of the church.

And, unlike earthly caste systems, the lower castes can't recognize immediately those who are in the upper caste, because those with their CAEMS don't wear it on their sleeve. I'm sure most members assume that the GAs all have had it done, but wouldn't necessarily suspect old Bishop Jones and his wife. But old Bishop Jones and his wife certainly would know where they stood. And those who hadn't had it would at least know that it's available, but that they hadn't gotten it.

[_Scottie]

My ex FIL was a mission pres, and he is FAR from wealthy. I'm not sure he would qualify as poor, per se... Heck, he might even have received his CaEMS.

And what did he do for a living?

He worked as a social worker at the state mental hospital. I think he was making in the mid to high 30 thousands when he retired.

[_The Nehor]

One thing that ought to be mentioned is that from my understanding of LDS theology, there will be no difference between the exaltation achieved by one who has had their CAEMS on Earth while alive, and one who lives a live worthy of exaltation but who does not experience their CAEMS on Earth. The presumption is that this will occur for them either while they're in the spirit world, or after their resurrection, or whatever. So it's not really a "caste system" at least related to one's final reward, though here during this life it would certainly make those who experienced it feel like they were within a secret and elite "inner circle" of the church.

And, unlike earthly caste systems, the lower castes can't recognize immediately those who are in the upper caste, because those with their CAEMS don't wear it on their sleeve. I'm sure most members assume that the GAs all have had it done, but wouldn't necessarily suspect old Bishop Jones and his wife. But old Bishop Jones and his wife certainly would know where they stood. And those who hadn't had it would at least know that it's available, but that they hadn't gotten it.

Actually few members know about it. A few suspect there is something more, fewer know any details, and the rest just don't know.

You know what this means.....I'M PART OF THE ELITE GROUP THAT KNOWS ABOUT THE ELITE GROUP!!!! Mom will be so proud.

[_krose]

My ex FIL was a mission pres, and he is FAR from wealthy. I'm not sure he would qualify as poor, per se... Heck, he might even have received his CaEMS.

My brother was a mission president twice (actually, the second time he was an MTC pres). He made his living as a seminary teacher.

[_the road to hana]

One thing that ought to be mentioned is that from my understanding of LDS theology, there will be no difference between the exaltation achieved by one who has had their CAEMS on Earth while alive, and one who lives a live worthy of exaltation but who does not experience their CAEMS on Earth. The presumption is that this will occur for them either while they're in the spirit world, or after their resurrection, or whatever. So it's not really a "caste system" at least related to one's final reward, though here during this life it would certainly make those who experienced it feel like they were within a secret and elite "inner circle" of the church.

And, unlike earthly caste systems, the lower castes can't recognize immediately those who are in the upper caste, because those with their CAEMS don't wear it on their sleeve. I'm sure most members assume that the GAs all have had it done, but wouldn't necessarily suspect old Bishop Jones and his wife. But old Bishop Jones and his wife certainly would know where they stood. And those who hadn't had it would at least know that it's available, but that they hadn't gotten it.

Actually few members know about it. A few suspect there is something more, fewer know any details, and the rest just don't know.

You know what this means.....I'M PART OF THE ELITE GROUP THAT KNOWS ABOUT THE ELITE GROUP!!!! Mom will be so proud.

Do you know more about it today than you did yesterday?

[_krose]

I'm sure most members assume that the GAs all have had it done...

Do you think that includes the 'Lamanite' elder who was thrown out?