Our Judgment

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained that others would take part in our Judgment: “The reality is that there will be a whole hierarchy of judges who, under Christ, shall judge the righteous. He alone shall issue the decrees of damnation for the wicked” (The Millennial Messiah [1982], 520).

The scriptures teach that there will be at least five sources who will take part on Judgment Day:

1. Ourselves (see Alma 41:7; History of the Church, 6:314)
2. Our bishops (see D&C 41:9; 58:14, 17–20; 64:40; 72:17)
3. Scriptures (see Revelation 20:12; 2 Nephi 25:18; 29:11; 33:14; 3 Nephi 27:25–26)
4. Apostles (see Matthew 19:27–30; 1 Nephi 12:9; 3 Nephi 27:27; Mormon 3:18; D&C 29:12)
5. Jesus Christ (see John 5:22; 3 Nephi 27:14)
6. Ourselves (see Alma 41:7; History of the Church, 6:314)
7. Our bishops (see D&C 41:9; 58:14, 17–20; 64:40; 72:17)
8. Scriptures (see Revelation 20:12; 2 Nephi 25:18; 29:11; 33:14; 3 Nephi 27:25–26)
9. Apostles (see Matthew 19:27–30; 1 Nephi 12:9; 3 Nephi 27:27; Mormon 3:18; D&C 29:12)
10. Jesus Christ (see John 5:22; 3 Nephi 27:14)

President John Taylor (1808–87) further elaborated on the role of the Apostles in our judgment: “Christ is at the head. … It would seem to be quite reasonable, if the twelve apostles in Jerusalem are to be the judges of the twelve tribes, and the twelve disciples on this continent are to be the judges of the descendants of Nephi, that the brother of Jared and Jared should be the judges of the Jaredites, their descendants; and, further, that the first presidency and twelve who have officiated in our age, should operate in regard to mankind in this dispensation” (The Gospel Kingdom, sel. G. Homer Durham [1987], 138).