Who Are the 144,000? | A Latter-day Saint Deep Study of Revelation & the Temple

Send us Fan MailWho are the 144,000 in the Book of Revelation, and are we part of that work today? In this in-depth LDS (Latter-day Saint) episode, Tia Smith teaches who the 144,000 are, what their calling is, whether the number is literal, whether women are included, and how the temple and family history work we do right now connects to them.Drawing on Revelation 7 and 14; Doctrine and Covenants 77, 84, 128, and 133; and teachings from Joseph Smith, Bruce R. McConkie, Orson Pratt, Robert Millet, and President Russell M. Nelson, the episode walks through why the number 144,000 need not be literal (12 for the priesthood, squared for a fullness of priesthood authority, multiplied by 1,000 for completeness, per BYU scholar Richard Draper); why Joseph Smith associated the 144,000 with the temple; what it means to be sealed in the forehead and to make one's calling and election sure; the ancient Passover and the "Holiness to the Lord" plate worn by Israel's high priests as patterns; the new song that only the redeemed can sing, with its striking echoes between D&C 84 (priesthood) and D&C 128 (redeeming the dead); and why the 144,000 are described as gatherers and "saviors on Mount Zion."It also takes on the question many Latter-day Saints ask — are women part of the 144,000? Tia is candid that there is no explicit doctrinal statement, then reasons from patterns (queens and priestesses, temple matrons, mission presidents and their wives) that women are just as involved in this work, whether within the 144,000 or in a complementary calling, noting that any official clarification would come through a prophet holding keys.The through-line: the work of the 144,000 is the work of the gathering of Israel on both sides of the veil — and understanding who the 144,000 really are helps us see who we already are.Q: Who are the 144,000 in the Book of Revelation, according to LDS teaching?A: Latter-day Saint sources describe them as high priests ordained to administer the everlasting gospel and to bring as many as will come to the church of the firstborn (D&C 77:11) — associated by Joseph Smith with the temple, and by Elder Bruce R. McConkie as those who are endowed, married for eternity, and sealed up unto eternal life. In this episode Tia Smith teaches that their work is the gathering of Israel, and that covenant-keeping Saints doing temple and family history work today are already participating in it.Q: Is the 144,000 a literal number?A: This episode teaches it need not be taken literally. Following BYU scholar Richard Draper, Tia Smith explains the number symbolically: 12 represents the priesthood, 144 (12 squared) a fullness of priesthood authority, and multiplying by 1,000 signals completeness in the dispensation of the fullness of times — pointing to a number far larger than 144,000 literal individuals.Q: Are women part of the 144,000?A: There is no explicit LDS doctrinal statement that women are numbered among the 144,000, and this episode is clear about that. Reasoning from patterns — queens and priestesses, temple matrons, and mission presidents serving alongside their wives — Tia Smith concludes women are just as involved in this gathering work, whether within the 144,000 or in a complementary calling, and that any official clarification would come through a prophet holding priesthood keys.Q: What is the "new song" that only the 144,000 can sing?A: Revelation 14 says no one could learn the new song except the 144,000 who were redeemed. This episode connects it to the redemption of Israel and the redeeming of the dead, showing the close parallels between the song in D&C 84 (a priesthood revelation) and Joseph Smith's words in D&C 128 (on redeeming the dead) — a song of victory that can be sung only now that temple work for the dead is going forward across the earth.🔗 COMPANION EPISODES (144,000 series this week)The Jonathan Hale story — ancestors, temple work, and the Logan Temple filled with light: [PASTE YOUTUBE LINK]The Sickle of the Lord — Richard Draper on the visions of Christ in Revelation: [PASTE YOUTUBE LINK]▶️ WATCH & LISTEN🎬 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thinningoftheveil🌐 Website: https://www.thinningoftheveil.com🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinning-of-the-veil/id1753511394🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6jWCfMHkZXwnSwy2b98J4M🎵 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a0a45561-d4c2-46d3-af8d-a1e967a21a25📖Support the show