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Exaltation-Worthy: To Be or Not to Be?

Exaltation-Worthy: To Be or Not to Be?

Who the 144,000 Really Are — and How You Become One of Them

John Cassinat
March 12, 2026

The 144,000 Kings and Queens in Revelation 14:1

John described exaltation-worthy saints in Revelation 7:4–8 as 12,000 Servants from each of the 12 tribes of Israel, totaling 144,000.

We meet these 144,000 Servants again in Revelation 14:1 as they stand with Christ on Mount Zion in heaven at the end of the Second Woe for their marriage to the Lamb.

But who are they really?

They are what the Lord calls:

“A peculiar treasure unto me above all people…. a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5–6)

John calls them:

“Kings and priests [who] shall reign on the earth.” (Rev 5:10)

Since Christ is described as Lord of lords and King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev 17:14; 19:16), He is King over these 144,000 kings and Lord over these 144,000 lords.

They are kings and priests (and queens and priestesses) whom God has and will raise up from all generations and all nations to the highest degree of celestial glory called exaltation and eternal life.

Who Are the 144,000 — Really?

Watch the Revelation 14 Breakdown →

Bruce R. McConkie explained how all people can be numbered among the 144,000:

“The way we become kings and priests is through the ordinances of the house of the Lord. It is through celestial marriage; it is through the guarantees of eternal life and eternal increase that are reserved for the Saints in the temples.”

The 144,000 Are Members of the Church of the Firstborn

When the 144,000 Servants prove themselves faithful:

“It is their privilege to receive covenants and obligations that will enable them to be heirs of God as members of the Church of the Firstborn…”

They will be priests and priestesses, kings and queens, receiving the Father’s glory and fulness.

The 144,000 are also saviors on Mount Zion, bringing others into the Church of the Firstborn. (D&C 77:11)

What Is the Church of the Firstborn?

See Who Enters the Inner Circle →

The General Assembly Distinguished

JST Gen 9:23 says:

“The general assembly of the church of the firstborn shall come down out of heaven.”

This sounds like the general assembly is part of the Church of the Firstborn.

The opposite is actually true.

Everyone in the celestial kingdom is part of the general assembly.
Only those in the highest degree of celestial glory (D&C 131:1–4) are in the Church of the Firstborn.

Joseph Fielding Smith said:

“To become a member of the Church of the Firstborn … is to become one of the inner circle.”

If viewed as a Venn diagram, the Church of the Firstborn is a circle entirely inside the larger circle of the general assembly.