Question about D&C 138 and the Role of Faithful Women in the Spirit World

[GoCeltics]

Doctrine and Covenants 138:57 states “I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead.”

Is there a reason why faithful LDS women who have died don’t participate in this work?

I noticed earlier that Eve and all her faithful daughters who had passed on were commissioned to participate in that work for a brief time before being raised to Heavenly Father’s kingdom to receive immortality and eternal life.

[ZealouslyStriving]

4 hours ago, GoCeltics said:

Is there a reason why faithful LDS women who have died don’t participate in this work?

If they do here is there any reason to believe they don't there? Perhaps, you are reading the verse a little too literally. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Edited September 20, 2025 by ZealouslyStriving

[bluebell]

I’m assuming the women participate as well. 

[teddyaware]

25 minutes ago, GoCeltics said:

Doctrine and Covenants 138:57 states “I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead.”

Is there a reason why faithful LDS women who have died don’t participate in this work?

I noticed earlier that Eve and all her faithful daughters who had passed on were commissioned to participate in that work for a brief time before being raised to Heavenly Father’s kingdom to receive immortality and eternal life.

The first female missionaries of the church were called in the year 1898, 19 years prior to the vision of Joseph F Smith that became Doctrine and Covenants 138. This surely means that President Smith was well aware of the valuable labors provided by the sister missionaries of the church. Therefore the presumption that the language of verse 57 amounts to a blanket assertion that women will not be participating in the missionary effort in the spirit world is just what I said, nothing more or less than a presumption on your part. After all, why wouldn’t the faithful missionary sisters of this dispensation also continue their labors in the great world of the spirits of the dead?

[Pyreaux]

In the Gospel according to me, the New Testament "Elders" refers to Elderhood which is the Christian Priesthood, Temple going Women are Priestesses or else they couldn't (safely in ancient thought) be in the Temple. The keys needed to get through the gates of death are priesthood keys. Through the oneness/unity of the priesthood/gospel there is no Jew or Gentile, male or female, though what that unity may look like, minimally, is there are post-mortem priestesses as promised, if not the sealed companion of every priest (as opposed to being genderless or even like a Kabbalah siamese-twin or hermaphrodite). 

The "elders" in the New Testament are not just older men, but members of the Royal Melchizedek Priesthood, called the Presbytery or Elderhood held by Jesus's apostles and early Church leaders, and was restored in the latter days through the Prophet Joseph Smith.

"Royal Cult" of Israel had ancient non-Levite priestesses, like others of the ancient Near East, whose participation was essential to the temple's function. In Israel, they did things such as weave all the white priestly garments in the Temple. The queen wore them in the Temple at the Temple wedding in the upper chamber and anointed with the priests' oil, making her holy.

In the LDS temple endowment, both men and women receive sacred ordinances and covenants that prepare them to become "kings and priests" and "queens and priestesses" unto God. While today in mortality, men are ordained to priesthood office, both men and women are endowed with priesthood power in the temple.

Women in this, receive a form of authority and power that is essential for their eternal progression and for the work of salvation. The title of "priestess" is a promise of their eternal destiny.

While in mortality, priesthood keys are held by male leaders to govern the Church and its ordinances on Earth, the concept of "oneness" in the gospel ("no Jew or Gentile, male or female") is the higher, eternal principle. In the temple, a man and a woman are sealed together, and this sealing is said to unite them in "one flesh," creating a single, exalted unit. It's in this eternal, married state that the man and the woman, as "king and priest" and "queen and priestess," exercise their joint divine authority in the afterlife

President Joseph F. Smith, and others, have taught that women, particularly those who have been sealed in the temple, will have a full share in the eternal blessings and authority of the priesthood. This is the fulfillment of the promise made to them in the temple. The work in the spirit world, therefore, is not limited to ordained men but is a cooperative effort of both men and women who have been prepared in the temple.

Doctrine and Covenants 138:57, by mentioning "elders," is not an exclusion of women but rather a specific reference to those who hold the priesthood office that directs the work in this mortal dispensation.

However, the broader theological framework, rooted in ancient temple worship and the Latter-day eternal principles of the gospel, confirms that the work of salvation is a joint effort of men and women.

LDS women who have died, especially those who have been endowed and sealed in the temple, have been promised the destiny of being "priestesses." This means they are fully authorized and empowered to participate in the work of saving the dead, which is the ultimate purpose of the gospel. The vision of Eve and her faithful daughters in D&C 138:39 is a perfect example of this truth.

Edited September 20, 2025 by Pyreaux

[MustardSeed]

1 hour ago, Pyreaux said:

LDS women who have died

Many are indeed dying for a chance to be considered worthy of priestesshood. 

[bluebell]

5 hours ago, MustardSeed said:

Many are indeed dying for a chance to be considered worthy of priestesshood. 

Do they believe they aren’t being ordained because women aren’t worthy?  I don’t think I’ve heard that before. 

Edited September 20, 2025 by bluebell

[Pyreaux]

20 minutes ago, bluebell said:

Do they believe they aren’t being ordained because women aren’t worthy?  I don’t think I’ve heard that before. 

I thought it was a pun.

[CV75]

10 hours ago, GoCeltics said:

Doctrine and Covenants 138:57 states “I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead.”

Is there a reason why faithful LDS women who have died don’t participate in this work?

I noticed earlier that Eve and all her faithful daughters who had passed on were commissioned to participate in that work for a brief time before being raised to Heavenly Father’s kingdom to receive immortality and eternal life.

Verse 57 continues from the prior list, so it includes all those from past and this dispensation. The phrase "through the ages" used in verse 39 covers all dispensations for women, including "this dispensation" referenced in verse 57. 

[bluebell]

1 hour ago, Pyreaux said:

I thought it was a pun.

Yes, I’m guessing it was too. But the part about being worthy was a new one for me. 

[Calm]

10 hours ago, teddyaware said:

After all, why wouldn’t the faithful missionary sisters of this dispensation also continue their labors in the great world of the spirits of the dead?

It is hardly unusual for women not to be mentioned in scripture after all, no matter what work they are performing in the service of God and others.

 

[GoCeltics]

On 9/20/2025 at 10:49 AM, teddyaware said:

After all, why wouldn’t the faithful missionary sisters of this dispensation also continue their labors in the great world of the spirits of the dead?

@ZealouslyStriving 

It would have been clearer if it said saints instead of elders.

Edited September 22, 2025 by GoCeltics

[GoCeltics]

On 9/20/2025 at 8:55 PM, CV75 said:

Verse 57 continues from the prior list, so it includes all those from past and this dispensation. The phrase "through the ages" used in verse 39 covers all dispensations for women, including "this dispensation" referenced in verse 57. 

Verse 39 is speaking of the past tense, “who had lived through the ages”.

According to verse 51, they were resurrected to immortality and eternal life after Christ’s resurrection and had already entered the Father’s kingdom.

[CV75]

1 hour ago, GoCeltics said:

Verse 39 is speaking of the past tense, “who had lived through the ages”.

According to verse 51, they were resurrected to immortality and eternal life after Christ’s resurrection and had already entered the Father’s kingdom.

(v 39) Yes, by the time the dead reach the spirit world, they had lived, whichever age applies.

(v 51) It more precisely says they had power to come forth, and so on. The Lord decides when that power is exercised. There were many if not all saints who lived and died before Christ that came forth just after Christ did, according to the scriptures. The faithful elders in v. 57 may or may not be currently resurrected; that depends on the Lord's decision for them.

[The Nehor]

On 9/20/2025 at 9:49 AM, teddyaware said:

The first female missionaries of the church were called in the year 1898, 19 years prior to the vision of Joseph F Smith that became Doctrine and Covenants 138. This surely means that President Smith was well aware of the valuable labors provided by the sister missionaries of the church. Therefore the presumption that the language of verse 57 amounts to a blanket assertion that women will not be participating in the missionary effort in the spirit world is just what I said, nothing more or less than a presumption on your part. After all, why wouldn’t the faithful missionary sisters of this dispensation also continue their labors in the great world of the spirits of the dead?

They were just left off the list because it was assumed they would help and quietly work without needing the dignity of being acknowledged.

A bit of a trend in scripture.

[teddyaware]

1 hour ago, The Nehor said:

They were just left off the list because it was assumed they would help and quietly work without needing the dignity of being acknowledged.

A bit of a trend in scripture.

For the truly spiritual and holy, the only acknowledgment that’s needed is God’s approbation. The Savior testified that those who serve God quietly and, as it were, in secret will be openly rewarded when God says, “well done thou good and faithful servant!” It’s the unconverted and spiritually shallow who crave the honors of men rather than the approval of God.

Edited September 23, 2025 by teddyaware

[ZealouslyStriving]

Hmmm.... Off the top of my head:

Eve

Sarah 

Rebecca

Rachel 

Leah

Samson's Mother

Deborah 

Zipporah

Miriam

Ruth

Esther 

Naomi 

Mary (mother of Jesus)

Elizabeth

Mary Magadelene

Mary & Martha

Dorcas

Sarah

Ammonite Mothers

Emma Smith

Vienna Jaques

** But sure we'll go with the "trend in scripture" of women not having the dignity of being acknowledged for their faithfulness and hard work. **

Edited September 23, 2025 by ZealouslyStriving

[The Nehor]

1 hour ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

Hmmm.... Off the top of my head:

Eve

Sarah 

Rebecca

Rachel 

Leah

Samson's Mother

Deborah 

Zipporah

Miriam

Ruth

Esther 

Naomi 

Mary (mother of Jesus)

Elizabeth

Mary Magadelene

Mary & Martha

Dorcas

Sarah

Ammonite Mothers

Emma Smith

Vienna Jaques

** But sure we'll go with the "trend in scripture" of women not having the dignity of being acknowledged for their faithfulness and hard work. **

There are roughly 10 times as many men mentioned by name in the Bible as there are women. 

The book of Mormon is much worse with a ratio of about 50 named men for every 1 named woman.

So yeah, there is a trend.

[GoCeltics]

On 9/22/2025 at 11:21 AM, CV75 said:

(v 39) Yes, by the time the dead reach the spirit world, they had lived, whichever age applies.

(v 51) It more precisely says they had power to come forth, and so on. The Lord decides when that power is exercised. There were many if not all saints who lived and died before Christ that came forth just after Christ did, according to the scriptures. The faithful elders in v. 57 may or may not be currently resurrected; that depends on the Lord's decision for them.

Verse 39 is the ages up to the coming of Christ.

The “and so on” is “and gave them power to come forth, after his resurrection from the dead, to enter into his Father’s kingdom, there to be crowned with immortality and eternal life”.

The “when” coincides with his resurrection, shown in verse 15-17.

“I beheld that they were filled with joy and gladness, and were rejoicing together because the day of their deliverance was at hand. They were assembled awaiting the advent of the Son of God into the spirit world, to declare their redemption from the bands of death. Their sleeping dust was to be restored unto its perfect frame, bone to his bone, and the sinews and the flesh upon them, the spirit and the body to be united never again to be divided, that they might receive a fulness of joy”.

Receiving a fulness of joy is eternal life (exaltation).

Nothing in verse 57 indicates male elders are resurrected and exit the spirit world of the dead.

[teddyaware]

On 9/22/2025 at 11:47 PM, The Nehor said:

There are roughly 10 times as many men mentioned by name in the Bible as there are women. 

The book of Mormon is much worse with a ratio of about 50 named men for every 1 named woman.

So yeah, there is a trend.

In Latter-Day Saint theology, the ultimate destiny of the faithful, covenant keeping women of the church is to gain exaltation by means of the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, the matchless force that empowers them to become eternal queens and heavenly high priestesses who, in perfect union and harmony with their faithful husbands, will rule and reign over their own creations throughout all eternity. Any of the illusory inequities that supposedly exist between men and women in this life that the critics and arc steadiers presently bellyache about will prove to have zero negative impact on the glorious celestial destiny of these exalted women who steadfastly refuse to be deterred or sidelined by angry, spiritually blind fools. Meanwhile, sadly, the role of the critics and arc steadiers will prove to be nothing more than to play the part of the ineffectual yapping dogs that bark at the parade of the saints as they march with faith and confidence toward the glorious eternal city of Zion. But after the parade has marched far out of reach, the only ones left for these to yap at will be their fellow churlish and ineffectual naysayers who will soon turn on each other. But on the positive side, at least there will be plenty of hateful fascists left around to punch.

Edited September 24, 2025 by teddyaware

[CV75]

2 hours ago, GoCeltics said:

Verse 39 is the ages up to the coming of Christ.

The “and so on” is “and gave them power to come forth, after his resurrection from the dead, to enter into his Father’s kingdom, there to be crowned with immortality and eternal life”.

The “when” coincides with his resurrection, shown in verse 15-17.

“I beheld that they were filled with joy and gladness, and were rejoicing together because the day of their deliverance was at hand. They were assembled awaiting the advent of the Son of God into the spirit world, to declare their redemption from the bands of death. Their sleeping dust was to be restored unto its perfect frame, bone to his bone, and the sinews and the flesh upon them, the spirit and the body to be united never again to be divided, that they might receive a fulness of joy”.

Receiving a fulness of joy is eternal life (exaltation).

Nothing in verse 57 indicates male elders are resurrected and exit the spirit world of the dead.

The faithful elders in verse 57 can preach whether resurrected or not.

Spring-boarding off verse 51, verses 52 - 56 show that the big picture applies to all choice spirits, both men and women, resurrected and not.

[MustardSeed]

4 hours ago, teddyaware said:

Any of the illusory inequities that supposedly exist between men and women in this life that the critics and arc steadiers presently bellyache about

I’m relieved that inequality is just an illusion! 🥳🎊🙌🎉🍾🥳

[bluebell]

3 hours ago, MustardSeed said:

I’m relieved that inequality is just an illusion! 🥳🎊🙌🎉🍾🥳

Anything can be an illusion if you just refuse to acknowledge it.   

[teddyaware]

19 hours ago, MustardSeed said:

I’m relieved that inequality is just an illusion! 🥳🎊🙌🎉🍾🥳

In the eternal scheme of things it most certainly is an illusion. How does one compare 75 to 80 years of life on earth with the infinite expanse of eternity? And just look at what the masses of women wanting to become interchangeable with men has produced in our world:. Motherhood is demeaned and mocked as traditional marriage is rapidly becoming passe. Instead of focusing on the vastly more important issues of faith in Christ, spiritual growth, personal moral development and the overriding importance of creating healthy marriages and families, there is an intense focus on making the roles of men and women exactly equivalent, a corrupt doctrine of a spiritually blind society that is going to lead to the destruction of a world that is already rapidly ripening in iniquity. Ultimately, this tragic phenomenon of a world gone off the rails is the consequence of foolish human pride, the loss of eternal perspective and the deceptions of the adversary that appeal to the carnal mind. Watch and see the consequences of this anti-family garbage as we now enter the years of great tribulation that will precede the Second Coming of Christ. What started as a movement to correct some inequities in the workplace has morphed into a powerful, sweeping tide of anti-life and anti-family destruction.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets. (The Family, a Proclamation to the World)

Edited September 25, 2025 by teddyaware

[MustardSeed]

2 hours ago, teddyaware said:

In the eternal scheme of things it most certainly is an illusion. How does one compare 75 to 80 years of life on earth with the infinite expanse of eternity? And just look at what the masses of women wanting to become interchangeable with men has produced in our world:. Motherhood is demeaned and mocked as traditional marriage is rapidly becoming passe. Instead of focusing on the vastly more important issues of faith in Christ, spiritual growth, personal moral development and the overriding importance of creating healthy marriages and families, there is an intense focus on making the roles of men and women exactly equivalent, a corrupt doctrine of a spiritually blind society that is going to lead to the destruction of a world that is already rapidly ripening in iniquity. Ultimately, this tragic phenomenon of a world gone off the rails is the consequence of foolish human pride, the loss of eternal perspective and the deceptions of the adversary that appeal to the carnal mind. Watch and see the consequences of this anti-family garbage as we now enter the years of great tribulation that will precede the Second Coming of Christ. What started as a movement to correct some inequities in the workplace has morphed into a powerful, sweeping tide of anti-life and anti-family destruction.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets. (The Family, a Proclamation to the World)

That’s a convenient position for a man to take. I think women being relegated to one role as mother and homemaker with no options has been largely AMAZING- for men.