[§153] John and the Doctrine and Ordinance of Translation

This podcast explains the doctrine and ordinance of translation, including a discussion of what translation is and who has been translated in the history of the world. A translated person is mortal, but that mortal body cannot die, it does not feel pain except for the sins of the world, it does not get sick, nor does it deteriorate in any way. The body of such a person is elevated spiritually to a terrestrial condition so it can operate in both the physical and spiritual realm on this planet and on many other planets. Heaven is the dwelling place of translated persons. Thousands and perhaps millions of people of this earth have been translated and taken to heaven without tasting death, including the people of Enoch and the entire city of Zion before the flood. The righteous and faithful people of Melchizedek also had the Holy Ghost fall upon them, and they were taken up to the city of Zion, whose builder and maker was God. The Savior promised John the apostle that he would not taste death until the Second Coming of the Son of Man so that John could continue to minister to the heirs of salvations and prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. (D&C 7:1-3) The same promise and blessing was given to the Three Nephites in 3 Nephi 28:6-7. John and the Three Nephites were the only persons known to have been translated after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but Doctrine and Covenants speaks of other "holy men that ye know not of." These undoubtedly include the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel, whom the Savior ministered to after his resurrection. John also ministered to them in his translated condition after he received his little book mission in Revelation 10:8-11.