​The doctrines of the Second Comforter and receiving one’s Calling and Election were at the core of Joseph Smith’s teachings about the fulness of the gospel. He explained that the end of the matter (“the sum and substance of the whole matter”), the thing we endure to the end for, is the Savior Himself who comes to us and declares our Calling and Election. This event is not only promised to the faithful, but is to be expected in this life, “while in the flesh.” Joseph and the temple endowment ceremony are not teaching about what happens after you die, or what happens only to special apostles or prophets, but they are teaching about a real event that can occur to anyone while in this mortal life. Most importantly, these doctrines direct our focus on the Savior Jesus Christ as the center of our worship and devotion. This is the fulness of the gospel that the Prophet Joseph was striving for the saints to receive:

When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter which the Lord promised the Saints…

The first comforter is the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised would come to His disciples after he was resurrected (John 14:12-27). The Second Comforter is Jesus Christ in person, who appears “face to face” to the faithful, who have been tested and proved in all things:

Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him…appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the Lord will teach him, and the heavens will be opened to him, and the Lord will teach him face to face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of Kingdom of God; (TPJS, p. 150-151)

Verily, thus saith the Lord: it shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am; (D&C 93:1)

And again, verily I say unto you that is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent, and you shall see me and know that I am— (D&C 67:10)

John 14:23—The appearing of the Father and the Son in that verse, is a personal appearance; and the idea that the Father and the Son dwell in a man’s heart is an old sectarian notion, and is false. (D&C 130:3)

And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life. (D&C 101:38)

It is the first principle of the Gospel to know tor a certainty the character of God, and to know that we may converse with Him as one man converses with another, and that will exalt him to glory. (King Follett Discourse, TPJS, p. 345-6)

Having a knowledge of God, we begin to know how to come to Him. He begins to unfold the heavens to us, and to tell us all about it. When we are ready to come to Him, He is ready to come to us. (TPJS, p. 350)

It is your privilege to purify yourselves and come up to the same glory, and see for yourselves, and know for yourselves. Ask, and it shall be given to you. (TPJS, p. 13)

That through the power and manifestation of the Spirit, while in the flesh, they may be able to bear his presence in the world of glory. (D&C 76:118)

The doctrines of Calling and Election and the Second Comforter were not new ideas from Joseph Smith. These doctrines were taught by many Old Testament prophets, and the Savior and His apostles in the New Testament:

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:15-18)

Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man loves me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23)

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face. And my life was preserved. (Genesis 32:30)

And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend… (Exodus 33:11)

Thus I, Abraham, talked with the Lord, face to face, as one man talketh with another; and he told me of the works which his hands had made; (Abraham 3:11)

Thy face, Lord, will I seek. (Psalms 27:8)

Will I plead with you face to face. Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the Land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord God. (Ezekiel 20:35)

Seek the Lord and his strength, seek His face continually. (1 Chron. 16:11)

And they shall see his face. (Rev. 22:4)

I saw Adam in the valley of Ah-dam-Ondi-Ahman- he called together his children & blessed them with a Patriarchal blessing. The Lord appeared in their midst, & he (Adam) blessed them all, & foretold what should befall them to the last generation. That is why Abraham blessed his posterity: He wanted to bring them into the presence of God. Moses sought to bring the Children of Israel into the presence of God, but he could not. (WJS, p.9)

Joseph Smith asked rhetorically how the Lord’s restatement in D&C 84:98 of Jeremiah’s great prophecy on the last days (Jer. 32:31-34) was to be fulfilled. He answered that it will be fulfilled when the saints’ calling and elections are made sure and when they receive the Second Comforter. (WJS, p.19)

Additionally, because the Book of Mormon contains the “fulness of the gospel”, it also teaches this doctrine:

I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things…which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek Him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto Him. (1 Nephi 10:17)

…for he [Isaiah] verily saw my Redeemer, even as I [Nephi] have seen him. And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him… (2 Nephi 11:2-3)

Mysteries of God are given to many. Those who harden their hearts is given the lessor portion. Those who do not harden their hearts will receive the grater portion until they know all of them. (Alma 12:9-11)

Our father Lehi was driven out of Jerusalem because he testified of these things. Nephi also testified of these things, and also almost all of our fathers, even down to this time; yea, they have testified of the coming of Christ, and have looked forward, and have rejoiced in his day which is to come. And behold, he is God, and he is with them, and he did manifest himself unto them, that they were redeemed by him. (Helaman 8:22-23)

There were many whose faith was so exceedingly strong, who could not be kept from within the veil. (Ether 12:19)

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (3 Nephi 12:8)

And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, them will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw… (Ether 4:7)

…I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face…I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written. (Ether 12:39, 41)

…after any…of the human family are made acquainted with the important fact that there is a God…the extent of their knowledge respecting his (God’s) character and glory will depend upon their diligence and faithfulness in seeking after him, until like Enoch, the brother of Jared, and Moses, they shall obtain faith in God, and power with him to behold him face to face. (Lectures on Faith, Lecture 2:55)

The Second Comforter is not a gift reserved only for “special” people. Joseph taught that all men and women can come unto Christ and receive the Second Comforter:

God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what he will make known unto the twelve, and even the least saint… (TPJS, p. 149)

Females if they are pure… can come into the presence of God. (Joseph Smith quoted in Rough Stone Rolling, p. 447)

God is not a respecter of persons. (D&C 1:35)

It is the privilege of every Elder to speak of the things of God; and could we all come together with one heart and one mind in perfect faith the veil might as will be rent today as next week, or any other time, and if we will but cleanse ourselves and covenant before God. (TPJS p. 9)

For he is the same yesterday, today and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him. (1 Nephi 10:18)

Receiving a Calling and Election and making it sure, is a more sure word of prophesy spoken of by Peter in 2 Peter 1:10. Joseph Smith taught that receiving a Calling and Election from the Savior means that you have been called up, chosen, sanctified by the blood of Christ, and sealed up to eternal life.

Reach to things within the veil, know that you are sealed. It is a privilege to view the Son of Man Himself…He that loveth me – I will manifest myself unto him. It is our privilege to pray for and obtain these things…If a man loves me he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, & we, both me & my Father will take our abode with him…God is not a respecter of persons, we all have the same privilege…obtain that Holy Spirit of Promise – then you can be sealed to Eternal Life. (WJS, p.13-15)

The more sure word of prophecy means a man’s knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood. (D&C 135:5)

Those so favored of the Lord are sealed up against all manner of sin and blasphemy except the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost and the shedding of innocent blood. That is, their exaltation is assured; their calling and election is made sure, because they have obeyed the fulness of God’s laws and have overcome the world. (Mormon Doctrine, “Calling and Election”, Bruce McConkie, p. 110)

Therefore, care not for the body, neither the life of the body; but care for the soul, and for the life of the soul. And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life. (D&C 101:37)

Additional Scriptures:
D&C 29:7; 50:24; 76:5-10, 22-25, 114-19; 84:20-27; 88:3-5, 67-69, 75; 88:68; 97:16; 103:20; 107:18-20, 49, 53-57; 109:5-12; 110:1-10; 130:3
1 Nephi 1:10
2 Nephi 1:15; 2:3; 10:2-3; 25:3; 31:20; 32:6
Enos 1:27
Mosiah 5:15; 27:30
3 Nephi 19:14-36; 28:3
Ether 3:6-16; 9:22; 12:39
Mormon 1:15
Isaiah 42:1; 65:9
2 Peter 1:4-19