In D&C
29:12, we read the following:
And again, verily, verily, I say unto you,
and it hath gone forth in a firm decree, by the will of the Father, that mine
apostles, the Twelve which were with me in my ministry at Jerusalem, shall
stand at my right hand at the day of my coming in a pillar of fire, being
clothed with robes of righteousness, with crowns upon their heads, in glory
even as I am, to judge the whole house of Israel, even as many as have loved me
and kept my commandments, and none else.
In this
passage, we read of how the Father issued a “firm decree” that the Twelve
Apostles who were with Jesus during his ministry at Jerusalem would play some
role in judgment (for a discussion of this, as well as Joseph Smith’s role
therein, see Joseph
Smith Worship? Responding to Criticisms of the Role and Status of the Prophet
Joseph Smith in Latter-day Saint Theology).
However,
among the Twelve who were with Jesus at this time was Judas, who lost his
apostleship and had to be replaced (see Acts 1:15-26; v. 20 shows Judas lost
the apostleship). So, Judas will not play
a role therein.
Why is this
important? It shows that God can issue a “decree” and that does not make the
fulfilment, ipso facto, a necessity
in salvation history, but it remains contingent. Such is consistent with an “Open”
view of the future, God’s decrees, foreknowledge, and other issues. While they
all held to more “traditional” understanding of God’s foreknowledge, note the
following from four Latter-day Saint commentators on this passage:
Hyrum
M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl, Doctrine and Covenants Commentary
A firm
decree] Our Lord
prepared a special reward for His first Apostles. He promised them, while yet
with them in the flesh, that, seated on thrones of glory, they should judge the
twelve tribes of Israel. Here we are informed that the promise had been ratified
by the Father and that a firm decree had been issued, making that fact known.
When our Lord comes to judgment, His Apostles will take the places promised to
them, arrayed in the robes of their office.
Stephen
E. Robinson and H. Dean Garrett, A Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants,
Vol. 1
12. Mine apostles, the Twelve . .
. , and none else. Jesus' original New Testament Apostles (except Judas)
shall judge the righteous members of the house of Israel who have died in the
Lord—in other words, those who were faithful covenant members when they died
(see Matthew 19:27–28; Luke 22:30). Notice the delegation to these brethren of
tasks we normally think of Jesus himself as performing.
There are
many other examples of such contingent foreknowledge such as:
D&C
124, William Law, and Open Theism
