Do Latter-day Saints Believe in Foreordination and Predestination?
Was there any difference?
#1 The Term: Foreordination in LDS Theology
Foreordination is a principle rooted deeply in the Latter-day Saint understanding of premortal life and God's omniscience. This simply refers to a belief that an individuals were appointed, chosen, or ordained in premortal existence (or we call it a life before our existence in this world) for specific missions or roles to be fulfilled on earth. This doesn't say about a lack of agency, but rather God's recognition of an individual's strengths, capacity, desire, and potential to make significant contributions while still living in this life.
Alma 13 illustrates a profound insight of this concept, particularly in verses 3-5, where it says:
"And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such."
In this scripture, we learn to understand that foreordination is based on God's foreknowledge of who we were before we were born into this life on earth and the righteousness that has been made. So basically, he appoints us to something sometimes in this life because we are worthy of having it. It emphasizes our agency—we are foreordained based on those choices we made before we got here, and are still free to choose whether to fulfill these divine roles.
In the General Conference April 2024, Elder Steven R. Bangerter spoke about foreordination, underscoring that while "premortal promises and blessings are called your foreordination," they do not guarantee outcomes. He emphasized that blessings and opportunities in life come through the righteous exercise of agency. This highlights the partnership between divine will and human choice. I encourage you to review his message, which highlights some important details of the importance of agency and foreordination.
Those premortal promises and blessings are called your foreordination. “The doctrine of foreordination applies to all members of the Church.” Foreordination does not guarantee that you will receive certain callings or responsibilities. These blessings and opportunities come in this life as a result of your righteous exercise of agency, just as your foreordination in your premortal life came as a result of righteousness. As you prove yourself worthy and progress along the covenant path, you will receive opportunities to serve... - "Foreordained to Serve" By Elder Steven R. Bangerter
#2 The Term: Predestination in Contrast
Predestination, often a concept more recognized in broader Christian theology, typically involves the idea of outcomes that are irrevocably fixed by divine will, particularly concerning salvation. This idea can suggest a lack of agency, which differs from Latter-day Saint beliefs. For me personally, I don't believe God predestined a person, while at the same time using their own Agency to do the opposite. While some Latter-day Saints got confused on the terms of foreordination versus predestination. As practicing Latter-day Saints, we should deepen our knowledge of such terms that sometimes get mixed up in the Gospel standards.
Basically, I do believe this was the same plan that Lucifer wants to open up. In which he tries to promote the outcome or the final destination of a man who ended up losing their Agency.
And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.2 But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.3 Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down; - Moses 4:1-3
In contrast, here Paul's the Apostle, wrote a letter to the Ephesians (see Ephesians 1:4-5), stating that being chosen before the world was made should be Holy (Or in other words, as I would give my opinion to it, was to make a right choices), he said this -
"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will."
As a Latter-day Saint who interprets these verses differently from other mainstream Christian denominations, by integrating or trying to include in the context about the doctrine of free agency. I (as my opinion goes), believe that God's plan involves calling His children to prepare them for some responsibility or a call in a specific time, or could be the rest of their time, but everyone possesses the agency to accept or reject these opportunities. They have to make a wise decision so the outcome will lead to its destination, if that's what we simply call it, predestination. But of course, it determines the amount of desires and effort, the very reason why I don't call it predestination, since we can't escape judgment, which will only determine the total input of the work we have made.
Let's try consider the example of Jonah, who escapes his calling (as a prophet of God) to a place where God wants him to preach, which is Nineveh. Jonah, of course, as the scripture states, doesn't want to fulfill his mission. This action shows that Jonah uses his agency unwisely, which leads him to be chastised and come to realize the importance of his call. Jonah has a choice, and God knows what he needs. Whether Jonah would accept it or not, the choices still lie in his desires and actions. Yet the outcome, God only knows what's best for him. Which means Jonah is not predestined to whatever God will give to him, but yes, he was foreordained as a prophet in Nineveh. And to whatever things he wants through his choices, he is accountable for them. So, it's either two predestinations (which is sound absurd while the definition shows it is fixed, see Term #2 again). One, if he chooses unwisely, the outcome is damnation. Two, if he chooses the well of God, then he'll receive his salvation. Now see the difference, predestination isn't a good definition or application while dealing with Agency, and it shouldn't be confused with foreordination.
Here are some scriptural translations or examples that I'd selected on how this was translated differently and how Christianity understood the same passage, which is normally understood as predestined or destiny or Nakatakdang Tadhana in the Filipino term, which it actually was, so I'll spend time addressing it. Here's the scripture in 1 Peter 1:20.
Here are some scriptural translations or examples that I'd selected on how this was translated differently and how Christianity understood the same passage, which is normally understood as predestined or destiny or Nakatakdang Tadhana in the Filipino term, which it actually was, so I'll spend time addressing it. Here's the scripture in 1 Peter 1:20.
Here's the KJV followed by the other translations -
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Compare -
- who was indeed predestined before the foundation of the world, but manifested in these last times for us, (Haweis New Testament)
- He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. (New Revised Standard Version)
- He was pre-destined indeed to this work, even before the creation of the world, but has been plainly manifested in these last days for the sake of you who, through Him, (Weymouth New Testament)
The Greek word προεγνωσμένου (proegnōsmenou) was from pro and ginosko, which means (to know beforehand or foresee).
The list goes on, but I wouldn't add some of it here in one article. While the Catholic version mostly uses foreknown or known, the Aramaic used the word foreordained or appointed, while some other common translations use the word chosen or chosen. Will, anyway, my point is to clear up the confusion, which also happens in Latter-day Saints circles.
I, one time attending a Sunday School Class in Sta Cruz Zambales and opened up some Joseph Smith History account of the possiblities if Joseph ignores the message of the scriptures or maybe if he didn't mind the confusion in his days (at his early age he could sometimes think on some better things while in his youth as I had pointed out comparing the average thinking of our youth in these days), it might end up Joseph Smith won't be the Prophet of the restoration, or if he was, it could or might delay the restoration timeframe, which actually my very point was all about his personal choices. Others then pointed out that it wouldn't be possible because he was foreordained (which obviously the definition was all about predestined). I couldn't give the best response that day while it's not my homeward anyway, but still the concept of Predestination was promoted as the very meaning of foreordination while it is not, dahil Hindi ako naniniwala sa tadhana, unless if we're doing thing straight to that destination where we would want, but I have my own choices to choose on which path should I go. And that's the reason why foreordination, as Elder Bangerter said it wouldn't guarantee us to get what we want (Check out this topic in the footnote, click here). Which means foreordination is not equal to Predestination.
Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-31 says this clearly and should be the concept of understanding how foreordination works. Take note of the underlined words -
26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.
30 Who am I that made man, saith the Lord, that will hold him guiltless that obeys not my commandments?
31 Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled?
In Addition, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, during his April 2020 conference talk, clarified this distinction by stating that God would not "predestine a select few for salvation" to the exclusion of others. God's love and opportunities for salvation are available to all (which is both members and non-members who will then embrace Jesus Christ and his Gospel), emphasizing again the role of individual agency.
The doctrines of foreordination and predestination in Latter-day Saint theology integrate the concepts of divine foresight with human agency. Elder Bruce R. McConkie emphasized that God foreordains His prophets and His people because of their faith and choices made in the premortal life. Yet, they must be faithful in this life to realize their foreordination.
Which simply means, our personal choices should be focused on doing what is the right thing to do to whatever call we receive, and I do believe we are foreordained for that. See the difference now? I basically believe as my opinion goes that Satan's plan was simply to predestined us back to the presence of God or maybe to his own, that's why he wants to take away our moral agency, or possibly the rest of gift of choices that we own and destinated us to obey him all the way. God doesn't want that idea. Agency, of course, is the only thing we have in this life that would enable us to grow.
In a short conclusion, your right choices just lead you to understand the plan that was foreordained for you if you work on it. But that foreordained plan for you doesn't mean it is destined as what you are; you might lose it if your personal choices go against it. Remember Judas as one of the Lord's Apostles, Judas wasn't selected just because he was to fulfill the Whole Story, I don't believe Christ just selected Judas like things just came out in one's mind, then simply says 'pwede na yan'. But, I do believe Judas has a desire and a heart that Christ selected him as his finest apostle. Judas would never want to be predestined as a traitor or a loser. No one would. He was foreordained to be one of Christ's Apostles, but he failed to maintain his standing ground as one of His witnesses. We are planned and foreordained the same as they were, and it's up to our own choices to fill those plans. If we think Judas was foreordained to take his role as a traitor of Christ, then para na rin nating sinasabi na all unrighteous people who gained or experienced unrighteous conduct were also foreordained sinners. That's not what God wants, and I don't believe in it.
Thank you for taking a little reading, and pasensya sa short conclusion, Akala ko short. 😆!
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