Under Christ A Great Hierarchy Of Judges Will Operate

And I saw the heavens open, and the Lamb of God descending out of heaven; and he came down and showed himself unto them.

And I also saw and bear record that the Holy Ghost fell upon twelve others; and they were ordained of God, and chosen.

And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the twelve disciples of the Lamb, who are chosen to minister unto thy seed.

And he said unto me: Thou rememberest the twelve apostles of the Lamb? Behold they are they who shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel; wherefore, the twelve ministers of thy seed shall be judged of them; for ye are of the house of Israel.

And these twelve ministers whom thou beholdest shall judge thy seed. And, behold, they are righteous forever; for because of their faith in the Lamb of God their garments are made white in his blood. (1 Nephi 12:6-10)

We often imagine that Jesus Christ will be our judge. In John 5:22 we learn that the Father judgeth no man; but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. The Son, however, has committed judgment unto others. The Father delegated the responsibility to the Son, and the Son delegated the responsibility to the twelve apostles and twelve disciples. These 24 men, and others, will judge mankind under the direction of the Savior. This was made clear when the Lord spoke to Peter in Matthew 19:28, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

In Revelation we learn that the books were opened....and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works (Revelation 20:12). The Father is responsible for writing the books, the Savior is responsible for establishing the pattern by which men should be judged, and the Savior's apostles/disciples are the actual judges. This pattern is shown in 3 Nephi 27:25-27. This prompted the counsel to the twelve disciples, Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am. The scriptures are replete with confirmations that this judgment will be just, But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth (Romans 2:2), Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments (Revelation 16:7).


Who else will be a judge?

1) Bishops, stake presidencies, and higher church councils act as judges on matters under their administration (D&C 107:69-80).

2) When missionaries are rejected and perform the ordinance of dusting off their feet, they will act as judges for the people who rejected their message (D&C 75:19-22).

3) The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment against the people who rejected Christ during his ministry because they [the men of Ninevah] repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here (Matthew 12:41). 4) Paul says that the saints will also judge the world, Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? (1 Corinthians 6:2)


Bruce R. McConkie said:

"Under Christ a great hierarchy of judges will operate, each functioning in his assigned sphere. John saw many judges sitting upon thrones. (Revelation 20:4.) Paul said the saints would judge both the world and angels. (1 Corinthians 6:2-3.) The elders are to sit in judgment on those who reject them. (D&C 75:21-22; Matthew 10:14-15.) Daniel saw that judgment would be given to the saints. (Daniel 7:22.) The Nephite Twelve will be judged by the Twelve from Jerusalem and then in turn will judge the Nephite nation. (1 Nephi 12:9-10; 3 Nephi 27:27; Mormon 3:19.) And the Twelve who served with our Lord in his ministry shall judge the whole house of Israel. (D&C 29:12.) No doubt there will be many others of many dispensations who will sit in judgment upon the peoples of their days and generations - all judging according to the judgment which Christ shall give them, 'which shall be just.' (3 Nephi 27:27.)" (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:558.)