Judgment

In the ultimate sense, Christ-Jehovah is the keeper of the gate and the judge of all men and women (2 Nephi 9:41; John 5:22). In addition, priesthood leaders– as exemplified by the Twelve who will judge the whole house of Israel- stand as judges of those persons who lived and labored during their ministry and under their direction (see Matthew 19:28; 1 Nephi 12:9; Mormon 3:18-19; D&C 29:12; Bruce R. McConkie, Millennial Messiah, p. 520). In one sense, however, each of us becomes his or her own judge, since we make those decisions which determine the kind of life we will live here, and thus where and with whom we will dwell hereafter. Truly, as Samuel warned, “whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves” (Helaman 14:30). Because in that day of judgment the works of man will be evident, because there will be nothing hidden, and because we will have a perfect knowledge of our uncleanness as well as of our happiness, it will not be necessary for a designated person to consider our case and adjudicate our life. We will be what we have become. Our natures will have been prepared for that kingdom of glory which is most appropriate to the decisions we have made in mortality. (Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 4 vols. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1987-1992], 3: 306. emphasis added)

God does not judge men as we do, nor look upon them in the same light that we do. He knows our imperfections — all the causes, the ‘whys and wherefores’ are made manifest unto Him. He judges us by our acts and the intents of our hearts. His judgments will be true, just and righteous; ours are obscured by the imperfections of man.” (Joseph F. Smith, Journal of Discourses, 24:78. Emphasis added)

“We may deceive one another, and, in some circumstances, as counterfeit coin passes for that which is considered true and valuable among men. But God searches the hearts and tries the reins of the children of men. He knows our thoughts and comprehends our desires and feelings; he knows our acts and the motives which prompt us to perform them. He is acquainted with all the doings and operations of the human family, and all the secret thoughts and acts of the children of men are open and naked before him, and for them he will bring them to judgment.” (John Taylor, in Journal of Discourses, 16:301-2.)

“It is the opinion of some that the resurrection is going on all the time now, but this is purely speculation without warrant in the scriptures. It is true that the Lord has power to call forth any person or persons from the dead, as he may desire, especially if they have a mission to perform which would require their resurrection. For example, we have the cases of Peter, James, and Moroni. “We are given to understand that the first resurrection yet future, which means the coming forth of the righteous, will take place at one particular time, which is when our Savior shall appear in the clouds of heaven, when he shall return to reign. For us to speculate whether or not the Prophet Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, and others have been called forth, without any revelation from the Lord, is merely supposition. When the Lord wants any of these men, he has the power to call them, but the first resurrection, with which we have any future concern, will commence when Christ comes.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:299-300. Emphasis added)