A translated being is someone the Lord has ‘translated’ or changed from a fallen state into a terrestrial state in which they are not subject to death or sorrow save it be for the sins of the world. They are filled with power from on high and can engage in the work of the Lord on a level unmatched and unattainable by mortal beings. It is a state where “Satan [can] have no power over them, that he [can] not tempt them; and they [are] sanctified in the flesh, that they [are] holy, and that the powers of the earth [can] not hold them.” (3 Nephi 28:39)

There are many factors that contribute to a person receiving the gift of translation, but perhaps the greatest is the purity of one’s heart which includes their desires. The hearts of translated beings and those who are striving for the realization of this gift in their lives are not corrupted by the vain things of the world or the praise and glory of men; they do not seek to cover their sins or gratify their pride or vain ambition. They in no way seek to exercise control or dominion over others unrighteously. These beings want to be a conduit of love, light, and glory of God in the lives of His children. The purest desire that brings about this gift is to bring the souls of men unto His beloved Son Jesus Christ which brings a fullness of joy.

Those who will be translated in the last days and make up the group known as the 144,000 have been foreordained before this life for this very calling and purpose. However as in the parable of the marriage supper if they do not prepare and accept the invitation the Lord will bring others up to this state and bestow the blessings upon them.

Translation occurs to, and within, an individual as they ascend the telestial sphere and move into a terrestrial state through the merits, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ. It happens as their fallen nature is shed and overcome and they become a saint through His atonement. Because the physical body is simply a communication device for the mental, spiritual, and emotional bodies, as the fallen parts of these energy bodies are healed the physical body is healed and is therefore enabled to change.

This requires much effort on the part of the individual; including deep humility and powerful faith in Jesus Christ who brings about these changes. This is not to say that effort is not needed to change the physical body itself as well, the individual must do all they can to push their body to a higher state of health and well-being too. It is vital to note that this all occurs “in the process of time,” (Moses 7:21) just as it was with those in Enoch’s city of Zion. Patience with oneself and the Lord’s timing is essential.

The 144,000 are to be “saviors on mount Zion” (Obadiah 1:21), “nursing fathers and nursing mothers,” (Isaiah 49:23) and proxy deliverers who will save and “bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn.” (D&C 77:11) In order to perform these roles they will need the blessings and powers of translated beings who have access to the patriarchal and matriarchal priesthoods, enabling them to “have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of their course; to put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God; to do all things according to his will, according to his command, subdue principalities and powers . . . And men [and women] having this faith, coming up unto this order of God, were translated and taken up into heaven.” (JST Genesis 14:30-32)

How could one expect to perform these roles without these powers and without a changed body? Picture what is needed from these deliverers . . . Traveling to the nethermost parts of the vineyard, even to the four corners of the earth amid destruction, wickedness and terror. Then finding and identifying those who are pure in heart who have exercised faith to be healed and rescued; rescuing them, teaching them, bringing them up to the level of the Church of the Firstborn and leading or taking them back to Zion the New Jerusalem on the American continent. Miracles unlike any that have been seen or recorded will be necessary, but this is all possible, and will all take place! Surely those involved will feel to rejoice as Ammon:

“Therefore let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.” (Alma 26:16)

What stops the Lord’s people from receiving this blessing?

What keeps this gift dormant upon the earth is the same thing that prevents all miracles from occurring, as Moroni wrote: “the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbleif, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust. (Mormon 9:20) He similarly writes later: “it is by faith that miracles are wrought . . . Wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain.” (Moroni 7:37)

“Had (the Israelites of Moses’ day) exercised faith in Jehovah, who is mighty to deliver, they might have abbreviated those trials and entered speedily into the promised land and into a Zion, even a translated society like Enoch’s or Melchizedek’s [D&C 105:2-6]. But, Paul laments, the early Israelites refused to enter because of unbelief. (Hebrews 3:19).” (Donald W. Perry, Temples of the Ancient World: Ritual and Symbolism, 1994, p. 482)

Unbelief is among other things chiefly spawned by precepts of men, and false traditions of the fathers; both of which the Lord despises. Nephi writes concerning those in the last days stating “they have all gone astray save it be a few,” yet even these humble followers of Christ do “err in many instances because they are taught by the precepts of men.” (2Nephi 28:14) In referencing the influence of “that spirit” which passes down “inherited lies,” or false traditions, Joseph Smith called it “the very mainspring of all corruption, and the whole earth groans under the weight of its iniquity.” (D&C 123:7)

These precepts of men and false traditions become dogmas that blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men, keeping them from the miraculous experiences God so desires to pour out and bestow. Translation awaits the pure in heart who have eyes to see and ears to hear (Matthew 13:16).

This is an invitation to you the reader to soften your heart, approach your Heavenly Parents in the name of Jesus Christ and ask if this is true; ask if this gift is being bestowed in our day; ask if it is indeed possible for you to become translated. It is my witness to you that the Lord is currently in the process of calling, preparing, and empowering the 144,000 to perform their work on the earth.